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| Why did Emperor Kammu move the capital away from Nara? |
| He thought that the Buddhist priests were becoming more powerful than the emperor and government officials. |
| What is Heian-kyo's English translation and when was it built? |
| The City of Peace and Tranquility and 794. |
| Describe Heian. |
| Heian's streets were laid out in a checkerboard pattern and it was very beautiful. There were many waterfalls, forests and lakes. The streets were lined with shrines and temples. |
| What were two ways that the Fujiwara clan seized power? |
| They married many of their daughters into the royal family and became regents to child emperors that ruled. Regents ruled in place of an emperor who is too young. |
| What did Fujiwara Michinaga think of himself? |
| He thought that he was the most powerful man in the world, even though he wasn't an emperor or government official. |
| What was Fujiwara Michinaga responsible for? |
| Keeping Japan out of war for a long time, building palaces, mansions and temples and ruling from 995 - 1028. |
| What determined the rank that a person held during the Heian period? |
| The family that a person came from. |
| What was the Heian period's rank system? |
|
Nobles 1 -3: High court nobles, received rice and money from peasants. 4 -5: Same privileges. 6 - 9: Kept records and set budgets. Clerk, minor official, lawyer and doctor. |
| How did the rank a person was born into affect their life? |
| Governed what kid of carriage you owned, what kind of house you lived in, how many servants you had, what you punishment would be if you broke a law and much more. |
| How was a person judged during the Heian period? |
| How good their taste was. |
| What did Japanese women look like during the Heian period? |
| Really long hair, black teeth, perfumed, white face powder, red lipstick, eyebrows high on their foreheads. |
| How did the process of carving statues change? |
| Instead of making artwork only using one piece of stone, they carved seperate pieces and joined them together. |
| What changes were made in paintings? |
|
Early: Buddhist scenes. Later: Non-religious scenes, landscapes, people doing jobs, nature, literature. |
| How did the Japanese view caligraphy skills during the Heian period? |
| It was extremely important; revealed a person's character and goodness. |
| What was the first novel? |
| The Tale of Gengi. |
| Why did the Heian period come to an end? |
| Wealthy ignored the poor people's problems. Wealthy landowners paid no taxes. Law enforcement broke down and bandits roamed the land. Struggles over land and power led to a civil war. |
| Important dates of the Heian period? |
|
781 - 806: Emperor Kammu becomes emperor. 794: Kammu moves capital. 858: Fujiwara clan gains power. 995 - 1028: Fujiwara Michinaga rules 1180 - 1185: Civil war |
| Who was the leader of the winning clan of the civil war? |
| Minamoto Yoritomo |
| What is a shogun? |
| The supreme military ruler of Japan. |
| How long did the shogun era last for? |
| 1192 - 1868 |
| What were the social classes of the shogun era? |
|
Shogun: Supreme military ruler. Government called a shogunate. Daimyo: Warrior lords controlled land and armies of samurai. Helped shogun rule. Sometimes battled each other for power. Samurai: Profession warrior. Means those who serve. Protect and fight for daimyo. Get land and rice in return. Peasants: Majority of population. Farmed. Paid high taxes. Artisans: Made goods like swords and armor. Merchants: Traded goods. Were not honored because they made nothing. |
| What was Bushido? |
| An important code that samurai lived by. Highlighted loyalty to daimyo, courage, honesty and honor. |
| What was seppuku? |
| Ritual suicide. Plunged sword into stomach. Had to show no fear. Assistant was allowed to behead. |
| What were the weapons used by samurai? |
|
Bows and Arrows: Bows made of silk and bamboo. Arrows had spikes. Katana: Long curved sword. Pole: Blades were attached to the ends. Rarely used shields. |
| What kind of armor did the samurai wear? |
| Composed of tiny pieces of metal, leather and fabric. Wore a long single piece of armor at the neck. Helmets were scary, as well as masks. |
| Why would a samurai commit seppuku? |
| Failing to live up to Bushido. Punishment for a crime. When his lord is killed. |
| How did the position of samurai women change? |
|
Before: Inherited property when husbands died. Had rights. Were warriors. After: Fewer rights. Couldn't choose husbands. Must kill self when husband died. Household tasks. |
| What were two branches of Mahayana Buddhism that were practiced by samurai? |
| Zen and Amida Buddhism |
| What do Amida Buddhists believe? |
| Following the Noble Eightfold Path is too hard. Much easier to reach Pure Land. Feel pure happiness. Must chant Bodhisattva Amida's name. |
| What do Zen Buddhists believe? |
| Most Samurai were Zen. Meditation and answering koans (puzzling questions that cannot be solved by logic) helped you reach enlightenment / nirvana. Taught samurai focus, discipline and not to fear death. |
| What are benefits of feudalism? |
| Everyone recieves something. Organized society. Experts at their jobs. Everyone is loyal. |
| What are drawbacks of feudalism? |
| People are not treated equally. Peasants only pay taxes and don't recieve money. Military society. Samurai kill one another. |