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5-1 Notes: Early Japan

5-1 Notes: Early Japan. Japan ’ s Geography. Japan is a chain of islands (over 3,000) in the Pacific Ocean Most of Japan covered by mountains, volcanoes – only 20% of land is suitable for farming To meet food needs, many Japanese turned to the sea

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5-1 Notes: Early Japan

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  1. 5-1 Notes: Early Japan

  2. Japan’s Geography • Japan is a chain of islands (over 3,000) in the Pacific Ocean • Most of Japan covered by mountains, volcanoes – only 20% of land is suitable for farming • To meet food needs, many Japanese turned to the sea • Constant contact with sea compelled the Japanese to build many villages by the sea and trade by boat • Japan was difficult to reach, and so it developed a uniquely independent culture

  3. Japan’s First Settlers • Earliest settlers arrived in Japan between 30,000 and 10,000 B.C.E. • Around 300 B.C.E., a new group of people (named the Yayoi because of the location of their remains) arrived • Yayoi introduced farming, growing rice in paddies, and pottery • Also skilled metalworkers who made axes, knives, and hoes (iron), and swords, spears, and bells (bronze) • By A.C.E. 300, Yayoi began to organize themselves into clans, or groups of families related by blood or marriage • Clans were run by warriors who protected the people in return for portions of harvest

  4. The Yamato & Prince Shotoku • 500 A.C.E. – Yamato clan strong enough to rule most of Japan – Jimmu, the Yamato leader, took the title “emperor of heaven,” – His line has never been broken • 600 A.C.E. – Shotoku, a Yamato prince, takes power on behalf of his aunt, empress suiko • Shotoku was heavily influenced by China • Created a constitution in which all power was given to the emperor – Most rules based upon Confucianism • Built many Buddhist temples around Japan • 646 A.C.E. (after Shotoku), the Yamato began the Taika, or Great Change – This divided Japan into provinces and allowed government officials to collect taxes instead of clan leaders

  5. Shinto • Early Japanese believed that all natural things (even winds, mountains, rivers etc.) were alive and had a spirit • This belief is called animism • When people needed help, they asked nature spirits, called kami, for help • To honor the kami, the Japanese performed rituals (involving dancers, musicians, and priests) at shrines • These early beliefs evolved into Shinto, or “way of the spirits,” one of Japan’s oldest religions

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