1. The Spread of Chinese Civilization: Japan, Korea, and Vietnam14
The Spread of Chinese Civilization: Japan, Korea, and Vietnam

2. Figure At the height of the power and prosperity of the Qing dynasty, the emperor Qianlong, who ruled for more than 60 years, receives tribute from "the ten thousand countries" in one of his imposing palace complexes. Participation in the tribute ceremony, which had become essential for all countries—including Japan, Korea, and Vietnam—that wished to trade with China, had been established as early as the Tang dynasty in the 7th century C.E.
Figure At the height of the power and prosperity of the Qing dynasty, the emperor Qianlong, who ruled for more than 60 years, receives tribute from "the ten thousand countries" in one of his imposing palace complexes. Participation in the tribute ceremony, which had become essential for all countries—including Japan, Korea, and Vietnam—that wished to trade with China, had been established as early as the Tang dynasty in the 7th century C.E.

3. Chapter Overview Japan: The Imperial Age The Era of Warrior Dominance
Korea: Between China and Japan
Between China and Southeast Asia: The Making of Vietnam

4. Map Key Centers of Civilization in East Asia in the First Millennium C.E. Despite steady expansion over much of East Asia from the end of the last millennium B.C.E. through the first millennium C.E., the Chinese were not able to absorb three large areas on their periphery— Korea, Japan and Vietnam—into their civilization.
Map Key Centers of Civilization in East Asia in the First Millennium C.E. Despite steady expansion over much of East Asia from the end of the last millennium B.C.E. through the first millennium C.E., the Chinese were not able to absorb three large areas on their periphery— Korea, Japan and Vietnam—into their civilization.

5. TIMELINE 200 B.C.E. to 1400 C.E.
TIMELINE 200 B.C.E. to 1400 C.E.

6. Japan: The Imperial Age
Taika, Nara, and Heian (7th to 9th centuries)
Borrowing from China at height
Crisis at Nara and the Shift to Heian (Kyoto)
Taika reforms
Copy Chinese style of rule
Bureaucracy
Opposed by aristocracy, Buddhist monks

7. Map Japan in the Imperial and Warlord Periods Power in warlord era was concentrated in the region of the Kanto plain, which was the main rice granary of the islands and thus able to support a relatively dense population.
Map Japan in the Imperial and Warlord Periods Power in warlord era was concentrated in the region of the Kanto plain, which was the main rice granary of the islands and thus able to support a relatively dense population.

8. Japan: The Imperial Age
Crisis at Nara and the Shift to Heian (Kyoto)
Capital to Heian (Kyoto)
Abandons Taika reforms
Aristocracy restored to power

9. Japan: The Imperial Age
Ultracivilized: Court Life in the Heian Era
Court culture
Codes of behavior
Aesthetic enjoyment
Poetry
Women and men take part
Lady Murasaki, Tale of Genji

10. Figure From this artist's impression of the elaborate dress and studied pose of a Heian courtier, one gains a vivid sense of the formality and attention to aesthetic pleasures that dominated the lives of the Japanese elite in this era. As the focus upon a woman in the painting suggests, the intense world of the Heian court provided a tiny minority of Japanese women with outlets for expressing emotion and creativity that have been denied to most women through much of civilized history.
Figure From this artist's impression of the elaborate dress and studied pose of a Heian courtier, one gains a vivid sense of the formality and attention to aesthetic pleasures that dominated the lives of the Japanese elite in this era. As the focus upon a woman in the painting suggests, the intense world of the Heian court provided a tiny minority of Japanese women with outlets for expressing emotion and creativity that have been denied to most women through much of civilized history.

11. Figure This painting illustrating one of the episodes in Lady Murasaki's The Tale of Genji captures the inward-looking character of court life that gradually cut the emperor and his entourage off from the warriors, townspeople, and peasants they ruled. The growing isolation of the court provided opportunities for regional lords with a more military orientation and more effective links to the population as a whole to seize effective control of Japan.
Figure This painting illustrating one of the episodes in Lady Murasaki's The Tale of Genji captures the inward-looking character of court life that gradually cut the emperor and his entourage off from the warriors, townspeople, and peasants they ruled. The growing isolation of the court provided opportunities for regional lords with a more military orientation and more effective links to the population as a whole to seize effective control of Japan.

12. Japan: The Imperial Age
The Decline of Imperial Power
Fujiwara family
Dominate government
Cooperate with Buddhists
Elite cult

13. Japan: The Imperial Age
The Rise of the Provincial Warrior Elite
Regional lords (bushi)
Fortress bases
Semi-independent
Samurai
Warrior class emerges
Martial arts esteemed

14. Japan: The Imperial Age
The Rise of the Provincial Warrior Elite
Warrior class emerges
Special code
Family honor
Death rather than defeat
Seppuku or hara-kiri
Peasants lose status, freedom
Salvationist Buddhism

15. The Era of Warrior Dominance
By the 11th and 12th centuries
Family rivalries dominate
Taira, Minamoto

16. The Era of Warrior Dominance
The Declining Influence of China
838, Japanese embassies to China stopped
Gempei Wars
1185, Minamoto victorious
Bakufu, military "tent" government
Kamakura, capital

17. The Era of Warrior Dominance
The Breakdown of Bakufu Dominance and the Age of the Warlords
Kamakura shogun
Yoritomo
Minamoto leader
Assassinates relatives
Death brings succession struggle
Hojo family
Minamoto, emperor figureheads

18. The Era of Warrior Dominance
The Breakdown of Bakufu Dominance and the Age of the Warlords
Ashikaga Takuaji
Minamoto
14th century, overthrows Kamakura rule
Ashikaga Shogunate established
Emperor driven from Kyoto
Struggle weakens all authority

19. The Era of Warrior Dominance
The Breakdown of Bakufu Dominance and the Age of the Warlords
1467–1477, civil war among Ashikaga factions
300 states
Ruled by warlords (daimyo)

20. Comparing Feudalisms Feudal systems Medieval West and Japan
Military aura
Personal ties
Europe: contractual agreements
Japan: group consciousness
Compare to modern societies, capitalism
Compared to Russia, Africa
Often decentralized
Never true feudal hierarchy

21. Figure Himeji Castle was one of the most formidable of the many fortresses that became focal points of much of the Japanese landscape in the era dominated by the samurai warriors. Although the inner buildings were often made of wood, these more vulnerable structures were defended by walls and long, fortified passageways made of stone. Like those of medieval Europe, each castle had wells and granaries for the storage of food that allowed its defenders to withstand long sieges by the forces of rival warlords.
Figure Himeji Castle was one of the most formidable of the many fortresses that became focal points of much of the Japanese landscape in the era dominated by the samurai warriors. Although the inner buildings were often made of wood, these more vulnerable structures were defended by walls and long, fortified passageways made of stone. Like those of medieval Europe, each castle had wells and granaries for the storage of food that allowed its defenders to withstand long sieges by the forces of rival warlords.

22. The Era of Warrior Dominance
Toward Barbarism? Military Division and Social Change
Warfare becomes more brutal
Daimyo support commerce
Elite women less independent

23. Figure Patronage of landscape painting and the other fine arts in Japan allowed artistic expression to survive in the long centuries of political division and civil war. In paintings such as the one pictured here, Chinese aesthetic preferences and techniques were strong. In fact, Japanese artists consciously imitated the monochrome (one-colored) paintings of Song China, which they regarded as the apex of the genre. Japanese artists not only concentrated on the same themes, such as landscapes with tiny human figures, but imitated the brushstrokes that they believed had been used by the Song masters. (Shen Zhou (Chinese 1427–1509), "Poet on a Mountain Top." The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri. Purchase: Nelson Trust, 46-51/2. Photo: Robert Newcombe.)
Figure Patronage of landscape painting and the other fine arts in Japan allowed artistic expression to survive in the long centuries of political division and civil war. In paintings such as the one pictured here, Chinese aesthetic preferences and techniques were strong. In fact, Japanese artists consciously imitated the monochrome (one-colored) paintings of Song China, which they regarded as the apex of the genre. Japanese artists not only concentrated on the same themes, such as landscapes with tiny human figures, but imitated the brushstrokes that they believed had been used by the Song masters. (Shen Zhou (Chinese 1427–1509), "Poet on a Mountain Top." The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri. Purchase: Nelson Trust, 46-51/2. Photo: Robert Newcombe.)

24. The Era of Warrior Dominance
Artistic Solace for a Troubled Age
Zen Buddhism
Important among elite
Point of contact with China
Art
Ink sketches, screen/scroll painting
Architectural works
Gold and Silver Pavilions

25. Figure The Golden Pavilion (or Kinkakuji) is one of the great architectural treasures of the age of the warring houses in Japan. Built on a small lake near Kyoto in the 15th century, the wooden, tile-roofed structure reflects the Zen and Shinto stress on simplicity typical of almost all Japanese artistic production in the centuries of the warring states. Its gold-painted exterior and the reflecting pond enhance these sensibilities.
Figure The Golden Pavilion (or Kinkakuji) is one of the great architectural treasures of the age of the warring houses in Japan. Built on a small lake near Kyoto in the 15th century, the wooden, tile-roofed structure reflects the Zen and Shinto stress on simplicity typical of almost all Japanese artistic production in the centuries of the warring states. Its gold-painted exterior and the reflecting pond enhance these sensibilities.

26. Korea: Between China and Japan
109 B.C.E., Choson kingdom conquered by Han
Silla, Paekche
Koguryo people
Resist Chinese dominance
Sinification increases after fall of the Han
Buddhism an important vehicle

27. Korea: Between China and Japan
Tang Alliances and the Conquest of Korea
Tang desire to rule Korea
Fought off at first
Alliance with Silla
Took advantage of divisions and conquered
Tang withdraws army in 668
Tribute payments instead
Korean independence

28. Map The Korean Peninsula During the Three Kingdoms Era The Chinese were often able to play off the rival kingdoms that dominated Korea's early history against each other and thereby exert great influence on the political and social development of the country.
Map The Korean Peninsula During the Three Kingdoms Era The Chinese were often able to play off the rival kingdoms that dominated Korea's early history against each other and thereby exert great influence on the political and social development of the country.

29. Korea: Between China and Japan
Sinification: The Tributary Link
Silla, Koryo dynasties (668–1392)
Peak of Chinese influence
But political independence

30. Korea: Between China and Japan
The Sinification of Korean Elite Culture
Silla capital, Kumsong
Copied Tang cities
Buddhism favored
Ceramics
Improvement of printing
Honey as glue for type fixing

31. Figure Although all of the major civilized centers of east Asia produced refined ceramics, perhaps nowhere was this art as highly developed as in Korea. As the simple, yet elegant, pitcher in this photo illustrates, Korean pottery was initially crafted for household use. That which has survived from earlier periods of Korean history has become sought after by collectors of fine arts and is prominently displayed in museums. (The Bridgeman Art Library/Detroit Institute of Arts.)
Figure Although all of the major civilized centers of east Asia produced refined ceramics, perhaps nowhere was this art as highly developed as in Korea. As the simple, yet elegant, pitcher in this photo illustrates, Korean pottery was initially crafted for household use. That which has survived from earlier periods of Korean history has become sought after by collectors of fine arts and is prominently displayed in museums. (The Bridgeman Art Library/Detroit Institute of Arts.)

32. Korea: Between China and Japan
Civilization for the Few
Aristocracy most influenced by Chinese culture
All others serve them
Limited artisans
Trade devoted to providing luxury for aristocrats

33. Korea: Between China and Japan
Koryo Collapse, Dynastic Renewal
Revolts
Caused by labor, tax burdens
Weaken Silla, Koryo governments
1231, Mongol invasion
Followed by turmoil
1392, Yi dynasty founded
Lasts until 1910

34. Between China and Southeast Asia: The Making of Vietnam
Chinese push south
to Red River valley
Viets
Retain distinctiveness
Qin
Raid into Vietnam, 220s B.C.E.
Commerce increased
Viets conquer Red River lords

35. Between China and Southeast Asia: The Making of Vietnam
Merge with Mon-Khmer, Tai
Culture distinct from China
Women generally have higher status
Conquest and Sinification
Han
Expand, Vietnam becomes a tributary
From 111 B.C.E., direct control
Chinese culture systematically introduced

36. Map South China and Vietnam on the Eve of the Han Conquest As this map illustrates, Nam Viet, which formed the original core of Vietnam, could be seen as a logical extension of China and was long ruled as the southern province of Chinese empires.
Map South China and Vietnam on the Eve of the Han Conquest As this map illustrates, Nam Viet, which formed the original core of Vietnam, could be seen as a logical extension of China and was long ruled as the southern province of Chinese empires.

37. Between China and Southeast Asia: The Making of Vietnam
Roots of Resistance
Resistance from aristocracy, peasants
Women participate
Resentment toward Confucianist principles
Poetry of Ho Xuan Huong
39 C.E., Revolt of Trung sisters

38. Between China and Southeast Asia: The Making of Vietnam
Winning Independence and Continuing Chinese Influences
Distance from China helps resistance
Independence by 939
Until 19th century
Le Dynasty (980–1009)
Using Chinese-style bureaucracy

39. Figure As this view of the moat and part of the palace of the Vietnamese emperors at Hue illustrates, Chinese taste and architectural styles strongly influenced the construction and decoration of the Vietnamese court. Not only were the upturned, tiled roofs and long galleries built in deliberate imitation of prototypes in Chang'an or Beijing, but they were set amid moats, ponds, and gardens patterned after those that Vietnamese envoys had seen in China. Despite this imitation, however, Vietnamese rulers were more accessible to their subjects, and their palaces and capital city made little impression on Chinese visitors, who disparaged the informality and lack of grandeur at the Hue court.
Figure As this view of the moat and part of the palace of the Vietnamese emperors at Hue illustrates, Chinese taste and architectural styles strongly influenced the construction and decoration of the Vietnamese court. Not only were the upturned, tiled roofs and long galleries built in deliberate imitation of prototypes in Chang'an or Beijing, but they were set amid moats, ponds, and gardens patterned after those that Vietnamese envoys had seen in China. Despite this imitation, however, Vietnamese rulers were more accessible to their subjects, and their palaces and capital city made little impression on Chinese visitors, who disparaged the informality and lack of grandeur at the Hue court.

40. Visualizing the Past What Their Portraits Tell Us: Gatekeeper Elites and the Persistence of Civilizations A samurai warrior.
Visualizing the Past
What Their Portraits Tell Us: Gatekeeper Elites and the Persistence of Civilizations A samurai warrior.

41. Visualizing the Past What Their Portraits Tell Us: Gatekeeper Elites and the Persistence of Civilizations Warrior ranks from the Aztec empire.
Visualizing the Past
What Their Portraits Tell Us: Gatekeeper Elites and the Persistence of Civilizations Warrior ranks from the Aztec empire.

42. Visualizing the Past What Their Portraits Tell Us: Gatekeeper Elites and the Persistence of Civilizations Bankers and merchants from western Europe.
Visualizing the Past
What Their Portraits Tell Us: Gatekeeper Elites and the Persistence of Civilizations Bankers and merchants from western Europe.

43. Visualizing the Past What Their Portraits Tell Us: Gatekeeper Elites and the Persistence of Civilizations Chinese scholars enjoying their leisure time. (Handscroll “Gathering of Philosophers.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY, U.S.A. Image copyright © The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Art Resource, NY.)
Visualizing the Past
What Their Portraits Tell Us: Gatekeeper Elites and the Persistence of Civilizations Chinese scholars enjoying their leisure time. (Handscroll “Gathering of Philosophers.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY, U.S.A. Image copyright © The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Art Resource, NY.)

44. Between China and Southeast Asia: The Making of Vietnam
The Vietnamese Drive to the South
Indianized Khmer, Chams
Defeated, Viets expand into Mekong delta region

45. Between China and Southeast Asia: The Making of Vietnam
Expansion and Division
Hanoi
Far from frontiers
Cultural divisions develop following intermarriage with Chams, Khmers
Nguyen dynasty
Capital at Hue, by late 1500s
Challenge Trinh in North
Rivalry until 18th century