Legendary first emperor of Japan (660-585 BCE) ; Yamato leader who took the title "emperor of heaven"; line of rulers in Japan has never been broken (...

Holy place where people worship

Code of conduct ("Way of the Warrior") that the samurai followed; demanded warriors be loyal to their masters, as well as courageous and honorable; di...

"Way of the Kami"; Japan's oldest religion (form of animism) whose followers believe that all things in the natural world are filled with divine spiri...

A large group of families related by blood or marriage; by 300 CE, Japan was ruled by clans

Sect of Buddhism that taught that believers would be reborn into a blissful "pure land," or paradise

Original Japanese writing that used Chinese characters

A Japanese feudal lord who pledged loyalty to the emperor and shogun; ruled lands as independent kingdoms; to protect land, they created private armie...

4 Main Islands of Japan

A social system where a king or emperor provides lands to lords (wealthy nobles, etc.) for military support, and peasants worked the land in exchange...

The belief that bodies of water, animals, trees, and other natural objects have spirits

(574-622 CE) Leader who brought Chinese-style constitution, or plan of government, to Japan (emperor was helped by trained officials, who were hired b...