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Introduction
Chapter Introduction
This chapter will introduce you to Japan Before Modern Times. You will learn about Japan’s geography, history, and culture.
Section 1: The Rise of Japan
Section 2: The Rise of the Samurai
Section 3: Japanese Culture and Society

2. Academic Vocabulary migrant—n., a person who moves from one region to
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Academic Vocabulary
migrant—n., a person who moves from one region to
another
The migrant moved from farm to farm picking apples.
unify—v., bring together
The president’s goal was to unify the country.
Use the Academic Vocabulary or high-use words to review terms you may encounter in the section. If you are unfamiliar with the terms, read the definitions and practice by using them in sentences.

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Academic Vocabulary
tradition—n., a practice of belief handed down from
one generation to another
One New Year’s Eve tradition is to make noise at midnight.
Use the Academic Vocabulary or high-use words to review terms you may encounter in the section. If you are unfamiliar with the terms, read the definitions and practice by using them in sentences.

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The Rise of Japan
Key Ideas
With limited land for agriculture, the people of Japan depended on the sea.
The first Japanese rulers emerged through struggles among local clans.

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Key Ideas
Under Prince Shotoku, Japan became a unified kingdom strongly influenced by China.

6. Key Terms archipelago—a chain of islands
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Key Terms
archipelago—a chain of islands
mainland—an area that is part of a continent
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the Japan Before Modern Times chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

7. Key Terms clan—a group of people with a common ancestor
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Key Terms
clan—a group of people with a common
ancestor
kami—a holy being
regent—someone who governs a country
in the name of a ruler who is unable to rule
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the Japan Before Modern Times chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

8. Japan: A Mountainous Country
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Japan: A Mountainous Country
Because of its many mountains, less than 15 percent of Japan’s land can be farmed.
Most people in Japan live on plains or along the coast.
Some mountains in Japan are active volcanoes.
Discuss with students how Japan’s geography affected the amount of land available for farming. How might this affect where people live and what they eat?

9. Clan Rule From the 200s to the 400s, clans fought for land and power.
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Clan Rule
From the 200s to the 400s, clans fought for land and power.
The Yamato clan won the struggle.

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Academic Vocabulary
resent—v., to be angry about something My sister resents having to miss the party because of our family vacation.
constantly—adv., again and again without end
The little dog barked constantly.
Have students use the Academic Vocabulary or high-use words to review terms they may encounter in the section. Students should read the definitions of unfamiliar words and practice using them in sentences.

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Academic Vocabulary
factor—n., cause Exercise is an important factor in weight loss.
Have students use the Academic Vocabulary or high-use words to review terms they may encounter in the section. Students should read the definitions of unfamiliar words and practice using them in sentences.

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The Rise of the Samurai
Key Ideas
As the power of the emperor faded, rival clans battled for control
Feudal Japan was marked by a strict social order and military values.

13. Key Ideas After centuries of warfare, powerful rulers reunited Japan.
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Key Ideas
After centuries of warfare, powerful rulers reunited Japan.

14. Key Terms figurehead—someone who only appears to be in charge
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Key Terms
figurehead—someone who only appears to be
in charge
shogun—a supreme military commander
feudalism—a social system in which
landowners granted people land or other
rewards in exchange for military service or
labor
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the Japan Before Modern Times chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

15. Key Terms daimyo—local land-owning lords
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Key Terms
daimyo—local land-owning lords
samurai—highly trained warriors
bushido—the strict code of conduct that
guided samurai behavior
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the Japan Before Modern Times chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

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The Heian Court
In 794, the Japanese emperor’s court settled in the new capital city of Heian.
The imperial court at Heian was divided into different ranks, or levels, of nobles.
Influence and privileges depended on a noble’s rank. Most officials were from noble families.
Discuss with students the characteristics of an imperial court. In Japan (as well as other royal courts in other nations), court life is usually very rigid and based on a strict protocol. Privilege and rank are sought after and petty squabbles can be common (as shown in Lady Murasaki’s myStory). At the same time, imperial courts can encourage the arts and other cultural developments of the society in which they exist.

17. The Rise of the Fujiwara
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The Rise of the Fujiwara
The Fujiwara controlled the government of Japan for some 300 years.
The Fujiwara rose to power by having their daughters marry emperors.
The Fujiwara family, not the emperor, was in charge.
Review this section in the student edition and discuss some of the ways society changed under the Fujiwara.

18. Academic Vocabulary emerge—v., to develop
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Academic Vocabulary
emerge—v., to develop
Basketball emerged as a popular sport in American colleges in the 1930s.
despite—prep., even with or in spite of Lisa passed the exam despite its difficulty.
Have students use the Academic Vocabulary or high-use words to review terms they may encounter in the section. Tell students to read the definitions of unfamiliar terms and to practice using them in sentences.

19. Academic Vocabulary achieve—v., to succeed in gaining something,
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Academic Vocabulary
achieve—v., to succeed in gaining something,
usually with effort
James worked hard to achieve his goal.
Have students use the Academic Vocabulary or high-use words to review terms they may encounter in the section. Tell students to read the definitions of unfamiliar terms and to practice using them in sentences.

20. Key Ideas Literature, drama, and art flourished at the Heian court.
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Key Ideas
Literature, drama, and art flourished at the Heian court.
Japanese culture emphasized the importance of family.

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Key Ideas
Many Japanese people began to practice Buddhism by the Heian period, but the practice of Shinto continued.

22. Key Terms Noh—a form of drama that appealed to the nobles and samurai
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Japanese Culture and Society
Key Terms
Noh—a form of drama that appealed to the
nobles and samurai
Kabuki—drama aimed at farmers, merchants,
and other common folk
consensus—agreement among the members
of a group
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the Japan Before Modern Times chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

23. Key Terms Shinto—the traditional religion of Japan
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Key Terms
Shinto—the traditional religion of Japan
shrine—a place of worship
mantra—a sacred work, chant, or
sound that is repeated over and over
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the Japan Before Modern Times chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

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The Heian Period
The Heian period lasted from 794 to It was a period of cultural flowering.
Nobles at the Heian court wrote journals, poems, and stories.
The Tale of Genji provides many details about life at the Heian court.
Remind students that Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Genji while at the Heian court. Many consider this work to be the world's first novel.

25. Japanese Art and Architecture
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Japanese Art and Architecture
Artists added their own style to Chinese scroll painting.
Homes had sliding doors instead of fixed walls.
Gardens usually had flowering trees and a small stream or pond.
Ask students to compare their homes to the traditional Japanese home. There may be more similarities than they might expect (use of wood, sliding windows or doors, yards or gardens).

26. Japanese Social Values
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Japanese Social Values
Family loyalty was a basic value. People honored their ancestors. They placed the family’s welfare first.
Confucianism introduced the value of harmony, which led people to seek consensus.
Though family loyalty and consensus building were characteristic of Japanese medieval society, these qualities are still important today. Encourage students to discuss how these qualities may be a part of their lives.

27. Shinto Shinto is the traditional religion of Japan.
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Shinto
Shinto is the traditional religion of Japan.
Shinto does not have
• a founder.
• scripture.
• a permanent set of gods.
Students may turn to the Shinto and Buddhism features in Section 3 of the Student Edition to learn more about these religions.