Japan Learns from China and Korea

1. Melanie Tayer Jessica Riley Mariel Buffet Japan Mini-Lesson Japan Learns from China and Korea

2. Introduction • Japan=very isolated from mainland Asia - not a lot of influence from other cultures • Sometimes, travelers from China and Korea brought new ideas-closest to Japan • In mid-1500s, Japanese leaders thought that Japan would benefit from other cultures. • Especially China and Korea • Sent reps. to Korea and China: invited mainlanders to Japan

3. Changes in Language • Learned written language from China-Japan didn’t have a written language • Wrote Chinese:spoke Japanese(very different languages) • 200 years later-wrote Japanese, still use Chinese to record sounds in Japanese • Contact with China increased • Rich and educated wrote in Chinese • Writers and poets used Chinese • Chinese=official language of government for a while

4. Changes in Religion and Philosophy • Prince Shotoku- one of the most influential people in bringing Chinese ideas to Japan • Served as a regent- a person who rules a country for someone who is unable to rule alone. • Ruled from 593-621 • Admired Chinese culture • Sent scholars to China • Brought Confucianism from China-Japanese families began to follow Confucian customs • Shotoku = Buddhist - wanted to spread to Japan from Korea • Built Buddhist temples, wrote commentaries - Buddhism became popular

5. Changes in Government • Shotoku wanted emperors to have more power like China • Clan leaders were afraid they would lose power • Opposed his plans-little power for emperor