Deck 17: Japan Before 1333

Question 1

How does the Tale of Genji differ from its Chinese prototypes such as Gu Kaizhi's Admonitions scroll?

A) It focuses on lessons in exemplary behaviors.
B) It focuses on imperial court etiquette as it relates to the empress.
C) It focuses on emotionally charged personal relationships.
D) It focuses on diplomatic relations between China and Japan.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The commissioning of the Todaiji and its Great Buddha was an imperial attempt to unify and strengthen the country and imperial power.How was this attempt made?

A) By utilizing Kamakura Shogunate to reinforce imperial power
B) By utilizing Tang China allies to reinforce imperial power
C) By utilizing religious authority to reinforce imperial power
D) By utilizing shrewd alliances through marriage to reinforce imperial power

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The central figure from the Shaka triad is the historical Buddha;he is presented in a trans-historical guise.Which of the following phrases supports this statement?

A) Presented as having achieved a higher state of being
B) Presented as a portrait in the Western sense of the term
C) Presented as a deity in the Shinto tradition
D) Presented as a metaphor for imperial power

Answer 3

A

Question 4

The Tale of Genji supports the notion of the significant role played by which of the following in developing the painting style as seen in this scroll?

A) court gentlemen
B) court ladies
C) Kamakura Shogunate
D) Chinese Tang painters

Question 5

More direct relations and influences with China shortened the time lag between developments in China that subsequently transferred to Japan.This occurred during which of the following periods?

A) Yayoi
B) Jomon
C) Nara
D) Kamakura

Question 6

The Ise Shrine is ritually rebuilt every ____.

A) 50 years
B) century
C) millennia
D) 20 years

Question 7

The treasures found in this temple serve today as significant holdings in eighth century pan-Asian culture.Many of the sculptures were inspired by the finest Tang Chinese art forms.Which of the following is that temple?

A) Golden Hall,Horyuji
B) Phoenix Hall,Byodoin
C) Daibutsuden
D) Todaiji

Question 8

In the Yayoi period there was increased interaction with ____ and ____.

A) China and India
B) China and Korea
C) Korea and India
D) India and Tibet

Question 9

"Buddhist architecture in Japan adhered closely to mainland standards." Why is this statement significant?

A) Because the Japanese used only mainland architects
B) Because mainland temple architecture was too experimental for the Japanese
C) Because Japanese temples greatly assisted in the reconstruction of mainland temples
D) Because the mainland would export only ready-made temple packages

Question 10

The tumuli of the Kofun recall the earlier burial mounds of the Jomon and their funeral practices.Which of the following could describe this Jomon practice?

A) Placing the dead in haniwa containers
B) Placing the dead in ceramic palace-shaped sarcophagi
C) Placing the dead on stone biers
D) Placing the dead on sacred mountains

Question 11

A catastrophic fire occurred in 1949 and destroyed which of the following?

A) Interior walls of the Phoenix Hall,Byodoin
B) Phoenix Hall,Byodoin
C) Golden Hall,Horyuji
D) Interior walls of the Golden Hall,Horyuji

Question 12

According to the traditional interpretation,the Korean ruler of Baekje sent to the ruler of Japan a gilded bronze statue of Buddha and Buddhist scriptures,sutras.What period marks this event?

A) Early Nara
B) Late Heian
C) Asuka
D) Kamakura

Question 13

Although the Kofun tombs contained many grave objects,including bronze mirrors from China,it is thought,based on the tomb's form and many of the grave goods that the tombs show a closer relationship with which country?

A) India
B) Korea
C) China
D) Tibet

Question 14

Which of the following were among the earliest Japanese artifacts?

A) Jomon ceramics
B) Nara lacquer figures
C) Asuka Buddhist statues
D) Copies of Chinese objects

Question 15

During the Kamakura period,there was more frequent and positive contact with China.Which of the following developments was brought to Japan as a result of this contact?

A) Tendai Sect of Esoteric Buddhism
B) Shingon Sect of Esoteric Buddhism
C) Dug-pa Sect of the Kargyut-pa School
D) Zen Buddhism

Question 16

The Kondo or Golden Hall of the Horyuji illustrates the sturdy but graceful lines of early Japanese temple architecture.Which of the following did the Japanese builders base on Chinese models and follow for the Golden Hall?

A) Wood as the primary source for the roofing material
B) Thatch as the primary source for the roofing material
C) Ceramic tile as the primary source for the roofing material
D) Marble as the primary source for the roofing material

Question 17

The earliest distinct culture to develop in Japan was ____.

A) Nara
B) Late Heian
C) Yayoi
D) Jomon

Question 18

The Phoenix Hall,Byodoin,with its light exterior pillars,elevated wings,and reflective pond,is a physical metaphor for which of the following?

A) Buddha's celestial palace in the Pure Land
B) Kamakura imperial power
C) Fujiwara clan
D) Buddha's Parinirvana

Question 19

In 552 CE,the ruler of a Korean kingdom sent a gift to Japan that was to have a profound influence on the culture and the art of the country.Which of the following was that gift?

A) A copy of the Upanishads
B) A gilt-bronze figure of the Buddha
C) A figure of the dancing Shiva
D) A producing silkworm

Question 20

Who is the deity associated with the Ise Shrine?

A) Buddha
B) Shaka
C) Amaterasu
D) Vishnu

Question 21

Hiragana script became the primary script for court poetry during the Heian period.Originally,this script served the needs of which of the following?

A) Women of the court
B) Court officials
C) Courtesans
D) Samurai

Question 22

Jomon culture was the first distinctly Japanese culture.Which of the following did it develop first?

A) Bronze-casting
B) Yamato-e painting
C) Agriculture
D) Ceramic technology

Question 23

During the Yayoi period,villages grew in size and developed fortifications;however,the people continued to live in which of the following?

A) Haniwa houses
B) Mud huts
C) Pit dwellings
D) Stone houses

Question 24

In the Tale of Genji,the metaphor,which came to mean fading life and love and the season of autumn,is which of the following?

A) Chrysanthemums
B) Peonies
C) Cherry blossoms
D) Bush-clover

Question 25

Who was Tori Busshi? What was his role in art history?

Question 26

How did the rebuilding of Nara represent an opportunity for experimentation in Japanese art?

Question 27

The standard form for the central mound of tumuli during the Kofun period is which of the following?

A) Keyhole
B) Beehive
C) Wedge shaped
D) Triangular

Question 28

The sculptor who created the Shaka triad for the Horyuji Kondo was ____.

A) Tori Busshi
B) Shunjobo Chogen
C) Lady Murasaki
D) Fujiwara Yorimichi

Question 29

The Legends of Mount Shigi represents a different facet of narrative handscroll painting.It belongs to which of the following genres?

A) Pious Buddhist tales
B) Lascivious court tales
C) Journals of Japanese travelers to China
D) Historical accounts of Nara court members

Question 30

In Japanese sacred architecture,pagodas served as which of the following?

A) Shrines
B) Temples
C) A house for reliquaries
D) Schools

Question 31

Briefly describe the early years after Buddhism was introduced into Japanese society.

Question 32

Paintings and sculptures of the Amida Buddha descending with a retinue to greet his followers were popular with members of which of the following sects?

A) Esoteric sects
B) Maitreya sects
C) Paradise sects
D) Hinayana sects