Medieval Japan

Skim for Information
Use Pathways: Civilizations through Time by Michael Cranny (Prentice Hall, 1997).

I. Turn to page 175.

A. Introduction
1. What was the name for the military government that once ruled Japan?
2. In what year were foreigners allowed to once again enter Japan?
3. By 1900, what important industry was established?
4. In what industry is Japan the world leader today?
5. What was the name for the powerful warriors who worked for the rulers in medieval Japan?
6. What were two periods of time when life was more peaceful?
7. What are the names of two Japanese religions?

B. Japan’s Geography
1. How many main islands are there in Japan?
2. What is the name for a chain of islands?
3. What percentage of the land is covered with plains and valleys?
4. What are two geographical features of the remaining land?
5. What is Japan’s largest city?
6. How is Japan similar to British Columbia?
7. What is the name for a hot spring that shoots steam and water into the air at intervals?
8. What keeps Japan’s climate mild?
9. What are three climatic features of northern Japan?
10. What word describes southern Japan’s climate?
11. What is the most important crop grown in Japan?

II. Turn to page 179.

A. The Early Days
1. What is the name for a social group made up of related families?
2. What is the name used for people who have rights to land?
3. What is the meaning of the name ‘Japan’?
4. From where did Japan’s first inhabitants come?
5. When did they first arrive?
6. What were their 3 survival skills?
7. From where did northern Japan’s first inhabitants come?
8. What were they called?
9. From where did a third group of people come by 300 BCE?
10. What were they called?
11. What important skill did they bring to Japan?
12. From what metals were their tools made?
13. What domesticated animals did they raise?
14. What belief started about the origin of Japan’s emperor?

B. Religion in Japan’s Early Period
1. What is the word for a formal statement of religious beliefs?
2. What is the word for sacred writings?
3. What is the name for the religion that means ‘the Way of the Gods’?
4. What is the name for spirits in this religion?
5. How are these spirits unique?
6. What do believers feel about nature?
7. As a result, what do they do?
8. What is the name of another religion in Japan?
9. From where did it first come?
10. What made it attractive to people in Japan?
11. When was it first formally introduced?
12. Who first introduced it?
13. What statue was given to Japan?
14. When did this religion become the official religion of Japan?

III. Go beyond the lines if you have time.

A. How does this information remind you of information you have previously learned?

B. How does this information remind you of your own experiences in life?

 

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