Chapter 13
The Spread of Chinese Civilization:
Japan Korea and Vietnam
Chapter Objectives
1. Assess the distinctive achievements of the
Chinese civs. in the arts, sciences and tech.
2. Trace the Chinese dynasties of the Tang
and Song.
3. Map the spread of Chinese civ. and culture
into Japan, Korea and Vietnam
Comparing Dynasties
• Analyze and evaluate the difference among
Chinese dynasties
• The history of the Tang and Song dynasties
should be studied in light of their influences
on the renaissance of Chinese civilization
• Focus on the economic, political, social and
cultural aspects of these dynasties
Chinese influences on other cultures
• Be aware that cultural exchanges in East Asia took place in
isolation from the rest of the world
• The major influence in this region was China
• Track the extent of Chinese influence in Korea, Vietnam and
Japan
• The upper class of all 3 regions modeled their societies after
the Chinese
• Japan unlike the other 2 never came under Chinese rule
• As a result Japan was more selective in adapting Chinese ways
to its own culture
• Vietnam adopted cultural traits from both China and India
• Korea was rule by China and had the greatest mix of Chinese
and local cultural traits
Describe the effect of the shifting dynastic fortunes in
China on the relationship of China to Japan, Korea and
Vietnam
• Which of the 3 was least affected by Chinese
political developments? Why?
• Periods of cultural exchange were the strongest
during the expansive phase of Chinese dynasties
• Satellite civs. were able to win independence and
reject Chinese models during the era of civil
disruptions between dynasties
• Conquest of Vietnam and Korea first occurred
during Han times
Shifting fortunes
• Korea gained independence in the early Tang period
after the collapse of the Sui
• Vietnam won independence after the fall of the Tang
• Japan was the least affected by internal Chinese
developments
• Japan was never part of the Chinese empire and was
able to reject Chinese influences
• The growing authority of regional warlords in Japan led
to the reduction of Chinese cultural influence
• The reason for this was ties to a central government
and Confucian bureaucracy
Compare the degree of sinification in Korea
, Japan and Vietnam
• Korea was the most sinified , although Chinese
influence was limited to the aristocratic elite
• Up to the 20th century Koreans had to accept
Chinese political dominance and pay tribute
• Korea was heavily influenced by Chinese art,
writing, Confucian bureaucracy and
commercial practices and goods
Sinification Continued
• Vietnam was in the middle
• Vietnam was under Chinese rule from Han times to the
10th century
• A Confucian bureaucracy was established and was
dominated by the aristocracy
• Chinese agriculture and military organization were
followed
• The effect of Chinese culture separated the
Vietnamese from the more indianized people of SE
Asia
• After the 10th century , Chinese influence declined
More Sinification
• Japan was the least affected
• Many Chinese influence came early-Confucian ideas
and bureaucracy, script, art Buddhism
• Due to Japanese political independence they were
able to select among elements of Chinese culture
• Chinese influence declined after the Taika reform
failures and the rise of the aristocracy
• An end to centralized bureaucracy and decline in
Confucian influence went along with the revival of
indigenous culture combining Buddhism and Shintoism