Objective: Examine the
History of Japan
Do Now:
How do you think Japan’s
Geography Influence its Culture?
Japan
Geography
• An archipelago with
3000+ islands
• 4 main islands
• Kyushu
– Closest to Korea
• Shikoku
• Honshu
– Largest most
populated
• Hokkaido
– Most isolated in the
north
Took some, left some
• Isolated Islands
– Developed distinct
culture
• Proximity to
mainland China
– Took some
aspects of China’s
culture
• Ring of Fire
– Earthquakes and
Tsunamis
Climate and Physical Geography
• Small (about the size of
Montana) with 125 million
people
• 80% mountains (volcanic)
• Arable land on coastal
plains
• Densely Populated
• Ocean moderates temp
(still temperate)
• Lots of rain and long
growing season
Rice and Fish
• Intensive farming
• Using all available land and utilizing
technology to produce ¾ of the food
they eat even though 8% are farmers
(terraced mountains, irrigation,
cooperative farming, etc)
• Fish and seafood
• Catch herring, sardine, tuna, cod,
salmon
• Raise fish in rice fields
• Farm shellfish too
The Jellyfish Dilemma
Imports are Necessary
• lacks natural
resources like
minerals, oil,
coal etc.
• Imports nearly all
since
industrialization.
• Conflicts hurt
economy
Homogeneous Society
• Language, culture,
ethnic background is
nearly all the same
• Ethnocentric
• Burakumin (tanners)
and Ainu (N.
Japanese) seen as
“less than”
Japan’s Traditions
Religion
• Shinto
– Kami (spirits) live in everything
• Did not answer questions about life after death or
proper behavior so the Japanese turned to other
religions and philosophies for answers
Family Life
• Confucianism
Guided Family
Life
– Eldest male rules
– Arranged
marriages
Feudalism’s Impact
• The feudal system relied
on loyalty to class
• Samurai code- bushido
– emphasized loyalty to lord,
bravery, self-discipline and
honor
– seppuku (ritual suicide) if
dishonor
Imitation (1st “I”)
• Adopted from China
– Confucianism
– Buddhist ideas
– Taoist ideas
– Innovation
• Did not adopt
– Mandate of heaven
– Civil Service Exams
– Language
A stroke of good luck
Or
The Gods are on
Out Side
2Mongol attacks
=
2 Defeats by Kamikaze
(Divine Winds)
Feudal Japan
• 1100s samurai (warriors) struggled for
power
• Established feudal system
• Lords under lords under lords ruled land
• Minamoto Yoritomo emerged the strongest
and was given the title shogun (general of
army and emperor)
Feudal System
• Shogun Lords
(Samurai)
Peasants, artisans
and merchants
• Lords often
struggled for
power against
shogun and
therefore
leadership
changed
frequently
Isolation (2nd “I”)
• Tokugawa Ieyasu
– Feared Western Imperialism
– Expelled foreigners
– 1639—Slammed the door to the rest of the
world
•
•
•
•
If you leave you cannot come back
No building of ocean going vessels
Only 2 ships a year from Netherlands
China and Korea had small outposts
– Capital became Edo (modern Tokyo)
– Peace and Prosperity
– Due to peace, many samurai become Daimyo
• Administrators of the Shogunate
rd
3
I= Industrialization
The Rise of Modern Japan
Meiji Restoration
• focused on modernization
• Sent 100s of Japanese to study western life in the US
and Europe
– Laughed at westerners for dancing together
– Were shocked at the lack of respect shown to elders
BUT
– Were awestruck at the technology
– Were amazed that all Americans had access to luxuries.
• Industrialization through Zaibatsu (huge
corporations)
• Western political system with bicameral legislature
• Abolished feudalism
• Education promoted
5-article Charter Oath
(April 1868)
• I. Deliberative assemblies shall be widely established and
all matters decided by public discussion.
• II. All classes, high and low, shall unite in vigorously
carrying out the administration of affairs of state.
• III. The common people, no less than the civil and military
officials, shall each be allowed to pursue his own calling
so that there may be no discontent.
• IV. Evil customs of the past shall be broken off and
everything based upon the just laws of Nature.
• V. Knowledge shall be sought throughout the world so as
to strengthen the foundations of Imperial rule.
4th I=Imperialism
• Competed with West for territory
• Sought raw materials for industry
(Japan Lacks)
• The Russo-Japanese war led to
– Control of Korea
– Control of Formosa (Taiwan)
• Eventual control of
– ‘31 Manchuria (Manchukuo)
– ‘37 Rape of Nanking (China)
– ‘40 Southeast Asia Pearl
Harbor bombing
Review the 4 “I”s
• Imitation– China’s Literature, Art, Buddhism,
Confucianism, Taoism, Language etc.
• Isolation—Tokugawa shuts door to the rest of
the world
• Industrialization– Meiji (Zaibatsu, Mines,
Railroads, etc.)
• Imperialism – (Korea, Taiwan, Manchuria,
China, Southeast Asia, Pacific)
WWII
• Emphasis on Militarism
• Emphasis on Nationalism
– Bushido ideas
– Kamikaze pilots
– Seppuku
–Never Surrender
WWII– US Wins
Japan Down for the Count?
•
US Occupies Japan and Forces Changes
–
•
•
New constitution adopted in 1947
• Bill of rights
• Men and Women Equal
• Democratic- Direct elections
• No More War
– Demilitarization (Japan’s military limited)
US occupation ends in 52
Japan becomes US ally
Changing Japan
• Focus on economic
reforms
• Family reforms
• Less arranged marriages
• Men do not legally control
estate
• Men enter universities and
become professionals much
more often than women
• Women are gaining ground
• 94% complete high school
and 40% go to college
• Juku– Cram schools to
prepare for entrance exams
Westernization and Economic Boom
• After WWII Japanese began adopting many
western ideas, styles, technology, etc
• Throughout the 50s and 60s Japan, with aid
from the US, was able to modernize factories
and gain control of many markets
• Nicknamed the “economic miracle”
• The 1990s gave rise to a recession
• Economy
• Best most industrialized in Asia prior to WWII
• Post WWII– Traditional (textiles) Heavy Industry Tech
International Relations
• Since WWII Japan has not only stayed out
of conflict but opposed it
– Vietnam and Iraq (gulf war)
• China– Seen as a market
• S.E. Asia– Distrustful of Japan but major
trading partner
• Korea—Distrustful of Japan and tensions
remain
• Russia– Seen for its market possibilities
Art, Literature and Pop Culture
• Buddhism, Shinto and the West Influence
• Tokugawa woodblock printing
• Poetry– Haiku
– the first cold shower;
– even the monkey seems to want
– a little coat of straw.
• No Plays– 1300s --Music, dancing and acting
communicate religion and spirit
• Kabuki—1500 and 1600s– Colorful plays with
elaborate sets, dancing , acrobatics and often
themes of revenge and love
Culture
•
•
•
•
•
Anime
Technology
Sumo
Baseball
Japanese
influence art and
architecture in
America
• Foods