JapanThe land of the rising sun

Open your notebook on page 66 and start taking Cornell notes

Geography of Japan• More than 3,000 islands• Four major islands: Hokkaido, Honshu,

Shikoku, and Kyushu • Very little farming land• Frequent earthquakes

Japan, the land of the rising sun pg.66

Geography of Japan

•The 4 major islands of Japan are: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku & Kyushu•Little farmland•Earthquakes

Japan’s culture is based on

Influence of Geography• Isolated islands• Mountain landscape• Sea as a resource

Influence of Geography• Isolated islands• Mountain landscape• Sea as a resource

Influence of China• Buddhism• Writing style• Arts and crafts• Government

Influence of China• Buddhism• Writing style• Arts and crafts• Government

Japanese mythology (Creation of Japan)

• Izanagi & Izanami : two gods (male and female who created the islands of Japan

• Amaterasu: The sun goddess, who gave life to everything

• Storm god: The brother of Amaterasu; fought for power with his sister and destroyed everything

• Niningi: The grandson of Amaterasu; conquered the storm god and restored the power of sun

• The Jewel, the mirror, and the sword: 3 divine objects from the legend that represent the emperor’s power from heaven

Religions of Japan• Shinto – based on respect for nature “ way of the gods”

• Various forms of Buddhism:

1.Zen Buddhism ( favorite religion of Samurai )2. Tendai Buddhism ( focused on intensive study of texts)3. Amida Buddhism ( belief that people will find salvation in a pure land after death)

• Shinto – based on respect for nature “ way of the gods”

• Various forms of Buddhism:

1.Zen Buddhism ( favorite religion of Samurai )2. Tendai Buddhism ( focused on intensive study of texts)3. Amida Buddhism ( belief that people will find salvation in a pure land after death)

Social classes of Japan

Golden Age of Medieval Japan• World’s first novel written by Lady

Murasaki Shikibu “ The Tale of Genji”

• Kabuki theater and Noh Drama- Use of elaborate costumes based on folktales

• Haiku poems- 5-7-5 syllables short poems capturing a moment in nature

• Calligraphy & painting• Ikebana- flower arrangement• Origami- art of folding paper