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Geography of Japan
Archipelago composed of about 4,000 islands; mountainous; frequent volcanic/earthquake activity; only about 20% of land is farmable; sea provided mean...
4 Main Islands of Japan
Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu
A large group of families related by blood or marriage; by 300 CE, Japan was ruled by clans
clan
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 (...
Emperor Jimmu
(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...
Prince Shotoku
"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...
Shinto
Any sacred being worshipped in Shinto including nature spirits and ancestors
Kami
The belief that bodies of water, animals, trees, and other natural objects have spirits
animism
Holy place where people worship
shrine
Original Japanese writing that used Chinese characters
Kanji
Religion that came from Korea to Japan in the 500s CE, and spread rapidly during the 600s and 700s CE; played an important role in government and soci...
Buddhism
Sect of Buddhism that taught that believers would be reborn into a blissful "pure land," or paradise
Pure Land Buddhism
Sect of Buddhism that emphasizes enlightenment through self-control and discipline; studied martial arts; practiced meditation to find inner peace
Zen Buddhism
A person who rules a country for someone who is unable to rule alone (too young or sick); during the 800s, Japan was ruled by a number of weak or chil...
regent
Ruling family in Heian Japan; regents gained permanent custody over imperial family; gave nobles pieces of land - they didn't have to have to pay taxe...
Fujiwara Clan
Class of warriors in feudal Japan who pledged loyalty to a noble in return for land; fought on horseback with swords, daggers, and bows and arrows; wo...
samurai
