1. The Influence of Neighboring Cultures on Japan (500-800 CE)

2. Cultural Influences of India, China, and Korea on Japan
Japan’s culture became enriched by borrowing ideas from other countries
Cultural elements: objects, ideas, customs from other places
Cultural diffusion: spread of new ideas and customs from one society to another
Prince Shotoku sped up the spread of new ideas when he came to power in 593.
Sent thousands of Japanese to study Chinese and Korean culture

3. Government: Imitating the Chinese System
In 604, Prince Shotoku issued the 17 Article Constitution, a document that adopted the idea of a strong emperor from China, with ranks for government officials.
Later the Taika Reforms gave control of all land to the emperor which angered the clan leaders.
By the 700s, Japan’s government looked much like China’s
Strong central government and a large bureaucracy
Nobles (or aristocrats) held all high positions in government

4. City Design
In 710, the design of the new capital city of Nara resembled the design of the Chinese capital, Chang’an (Xi’an).
Nara was smaller and did not have a surrounding wall.

5. Religion
Traditional Japanese religion of Shinto centered around nature
Buddhism came to Japan from India to China by way of Korea.
Mahayana Buddhism says that all people can reach enlightenment.

6. Writing
The Japanese used Chinese characters: kanji or “Chinese writing.”
By 900, they invented kana or “borrowed letters.”
Allowed Japanese to express themselves through literature and also keep accurate records

7. Literature Tanka was based on Chinese poetry forms.
A tanka has 31 syllables divided into lines of 5,7,5,7 and 5
Poems usually devoted to love or nature

8. Sculpture
Japanese adopted the idea of carving Buddha, which began in India.
In general: Indian Buddhas were made of stone, Korean made of bronze, and Japanese made of wood.

9. Architecture
In India, Buddhist monasteries had shrines called stupas, with bell-shaped roofs.
The Chinese changed stupas to pagodas: towers with several levels and curled roofs.
The Japanese adopted the Chinese pagoda design.

10. Music The Japanese adopted a Chinese form of court music called gagaku
Also used such Chinese instruments as the sheng (Japanese: sho) and the pipa

11. Re-Cap 500-800 CE Japan became enriched by neighboring countries
Cultural diffusion = spread of new ideas and customs from one society to another
New ideas about government, architecture, religion, writing, literature, art, and music influenced Japan

12. Review and Summary Review Read back over your notes
Use a different color to review your notes:
underline important points
highlight key details
put a star next to potential test questions
Create 2-3 test questions in left hand column
Summary
In 4-5 sentences, explain the key takeaways from the notes:
Most important details
Main ideas
Answer the essential question: “How did neighboring countries influence Japan?”

13. Group Assignment
Using the textbook and your notes, decide which new idea had the biggest impact on Japan during this period.
Create a small poster that does the following:
illustrates the idea,
Lists 3 facts about it
States your reasoning for why your group chose it (most important part!)
Reporter will then “report” out to the class the group’s findings