Question 1

It can be argued that the symbol of medieval China is the scholar-gentry while in Japan it is the samurai warrior. How do you account for the difference between the two societies?

Accepted Answer

The difference between the symbol of the scholar-gentry in medieval China and the samurai warrior in Japan can be attributed to the distinct social and political structures of the two societies.

In medieval China, the scholar-gentry class held significant power and influence. They were educated individuals who passed rigorous civil service examinations to obtain government positions. This class was highly respected and seen as the embodiment of Confucian values, emphasizing the importance of education, moral integrity, and bureaucratic governance. The scholar-gentry played a crucial role in the administration of the vast Chinese empire, and their status as the symbol of medieval China reflects the emphasis on intellectual and bureaucratic achievements in Chinese society.

On the other hand, in medieval Japan, the samurai warrior class held a prominent position in society. The samurai were skilled warriors who served feudal lords and played a central role in the military and political affairs of Japan. They adhered to a code of honor known as Bushido, which emphasized loyalty, self-discipline, and martial prowess. The samurai were deeply entrenched in the hierarchical feudal system of Japan and were revered for their military prowess and dedication to their lords. As a result, the symbol of medieval Japan became associated with the samurai warrior, reflecting the importance of military strength and loyalty in Japanese society.

The difference between the scholar-gentry in China and the samurai in Japan can also be attributed to the distinct historical and cultural developments of the two societies. China's emphasis on bureaucratic governance and Confucian values shaped the prominence of the scholar-gentry, while Japan's feudal system and emphasis on military prowess led to the prominence of the samurai.

In conclusion, the difference between the symbol of medieval China as the scholar-gentry and that of Japan as the samurai warrior can be attributed to the unique social, political, and cultural characteristics of each society. The scholar-gentry represented the intellectual and bureaucratic achievements of China, while the samurai symbolized the military prowess and loyalty of Japan.

Question 2

What were the advantages and disadvantages of Japan having a governmental system in which the emperor reigns and the shogun rules?

Accepted Answer

The advantages of Japan having a governmental system in which the emperor reigns and the shogun rules include a clear division of power and responsibilities. The emperor, as the symbolic head of state, could focus on ceremonial and cultural duties, while the shogun, as the military leader, could handle the day-to-day governance and defense of the country. This division allowed for a more efficient and specialized leadership structure.

Additionally, having both the emperor and the shogun in power provided a balance of authority. The emperor represented the traditional and spiritual aspects of Japanese society, while the shogun represented the practical and military aspects. This balance helped to maintain stability and harmony within the government.

However, there were also disadvantages to this system. The dual leadership structure could lead to power struggles and conflicts between the emperor and the shogun. This could result in political instability and uncertainty, as each leader vied for control and influence.

Furthermore, the division of power between the emperor and the shogun could lead to inefficiencies in decision-making and governance. Disagreements between the two leaders could hinder the implementation of policies and initiatives, potentially slowing down progress and development in the country.

Overall, while the system of having the emperor reign and the shogun rule had its advantages in terms of division of power and balance of authority, it also had its drawbacks in terms of potential power struggles and inefficiencies in governance.

Question 3

Instructions: Identify the terms and briefly state their historical significance. 
Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku

Accepted Answer

Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku are the four largest islands of Japan, and each has played a significant role in the country's history.

Hokkaido is the second largest island of Japan and the northernmost of the country's main islands. Historically, it was inhabited by the indigenous Ainu people. During the Meiji period, the Japanese government embarked on a policy of rapid colonization and development of Hokkaido, which included the introduction of Western agriculture techniques and the establishment of the port city of Hakodate. The development of Hokkaido was also strategically important for Japan to assert control over its northern territories and to prevent Russian encroachment.

Honshu is the largest and most populous island of Japan, where the majority of the historical and cultural developments have taken place. It is home to the country's capital, Tokyo, as well as other major cities such as Kyoto and Osaka. Honshu has been the center of political power in Japan for centuries, with historical periods such as the Nara and Heian periods, the rise of the samurai class, the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate, and the Meiji Restoration all taking place there.

Kyushu is the third largest island of Japan, located southwest of Honshu. It is known for its active volcanoes, hot springs, and historical sites. Kyushu has played a crucial role in international relations throughout Japanese history, as it is the closest Japanese island to the Asian continent. It was a primary gateway for trade and cultural exchange with China and Korea, and it was also the site of the first Portuguese and later Dutch trading posts in Japan during the 16th century. The city of Nagasaki, located on Kyushu, was one of the only ports open to foreign trade during Japan's period of national isolation (sakoku) under the Tokugawa shogunate.

Shikoku is the smallest and least populous of Japan's four main islands. It is famous for its 88-temple pilgrimage associated with the Buddhist monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi). Shikoku has historically been a rural region with a strong agricultural base. Its relative isolation from the political centers of Japan has allowed it to maintain a distinct cultural identity, with unique traditions and dialects.

Together, these four islands make up the majority of Japan's land area and have been central to the development of Japanese civilization, contributing to the country's rich history, culture, and economy.

Question 4

How did Korea and Vietnam maintain their cultural identities despite long-term Chinese domination?

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Question 5

Compare and contrast the different manifestations of feudalism in Japan, Europe, and India.

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Question 6

Instructions: Identify the terms and briefly state their historical significance. 
Pacific current

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Question 7

Instructions: Identify the terms and briefly state their historical significance. 
Asian and Pacific tectonic plates

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Question 8

What is the relationship between the major agricultural regions in Japan and its political development and historical evolution?

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Question 9

Trace the development of government in Korea from the era of the three kingdoms through the establishment of the post-Yuan Dynasty. How did local and Chinese ideas and institutions influence this development?

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Question 10

Discuss the relationship between Japanese Shinto and Buddhism, regarding the apparent compatibility for many Japanese during the era from 1000 to 1500.

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Question 11

"Japan borrowed from China, but only selectively." Discuss with examples.

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Question 12

Discuss family life and the roles of women in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. In which society and at what time did women have more freedom or equality, particularly as compared to women in China?

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Question 13

What were the probable ethnic roots of the Japanese people? What traditional ideas about Japanese origins were devised in Japan to explain its founding? Are the latter compatible with the former? Why or why not?

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Question 14

What was the purpose of Chinese and Japanese gardens and what spiritual principles do they tend to reflect?

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Question 15

What were the possible reasons why Japan failed to adopt the Confucian-based civil service examination system?

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Question 16

Compare and contrast the Heian era of Japan with the period of the Kamakura shogunate. What changed, and why?

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Question 17

Compare and contrast the status and function of the medieval Japanese samurai warrior with that of the medieval European knight.

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Question 18

Is Japan's location on islands located off the East Asian coast the most important reason that it developed as it did before the 1600s? If it is, why so? If not, what was and why?

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Question 19

"China was the paradigm of all East Asian societies." Using examples, discuss, pro and con.

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Question 20

What were the major developments in early Japanese literature, art, and architecture?

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Quiz 11: The East Asian Rimlands: Early Japan, Korea, and Vietnam