| A | B |
|---|
| Name Japan's 4 islands in n/s order. | Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu |
| What physical feature covers 4/5s of Japan? | Mountains |
| Who are the Ainu? | Light-skinned people of the northern island |
| Where did the first Japanese settlements arise? | Along the coast of the Inland Sea. |
| Who was the mythical ancestor of all Japanese emperors? | Jimmu |
| What three treasures did Jimmu hand down to prove divine ancestry? | Mirror(divinity), sword (strength), and jewel (wisdom) |
| How was Japan created according to myth? | Four drops that fell from god's jewelled spear became islands |
| What 6th century emperor encouraged the spread of Chinese religion and culture to Japan? | Prince Shotoku |
| Why did Buddhism appeal to Japanese? | The teachings of Buddha for the right path and meditation did not interfere with existing Shinto practices of nature and ancestor worship. |
| What cultural practices from T'ang China were adopted by Japan? | The written language (script), calendar, clothing, architecture, court life, and centralized government. |
| What Chinese government practice was NOT adopted by the Japanese? | The system of merit exams based on Confucian classics. |
| Who really ran the government under the Japanese emperors? | Powerful feudal families and their warlords (daimyos). |
| What was the social and political reality of Japan? | Warring clans controlled vast estates and kept in power by their warriors (samurai). |
| What system features a rigid social hierachy between vassals and overlords based on mutual obligations? | Feudalism. |
| What is bushido? | The code of conduct for a samurai (he who serves) which included unswerving obedience even to death. |
| What prevented Kublai Khan from invading Japan in the 12th century? | The awaiting samurai along the shores and the Kamikaze (divine wind) which sunk the invader's ships. |
| If the Japanese united against Mongol invader, why was Japan cast into the chaos of a dark age? | Rival powerful clans struggled for power and shogun dynasties became weak. |
| Who was the first Shogun of Japan? | Yoritomo |
| What is a Shogun? | A daimyo who is ultimate de facto ruler of Japan |
| How did Yoshitsune prove he was the greatest samurai? | After winning a great victory for his brother, he committed suicide at his jealous brother's command. |
