Transcript CH 13 The Spread of Chinese Civilization Japan, Korea and Vietnam “sinicization” In general contexts, Sinicization refers to the process of "becoming Chinese"

CH 13
The Spread of Chinese
Civilization
Japan, Korea and Vietnam
“sinicization”
In general contexts,
Sinicization refers to the
process of "becoming
Chinese"
Borrowing from the neighbors
Japan has always looked to China as
an influence
During 7th to 9th centuries this was
intense
Taika reforms tried to make Japanese
government more like China
Intellectuals and aristocrats absorbed
Chinese culture
The common people looked to
Buddhism for comfort
The Taika reforms were resisted by the
aristocracy
After a takeover attempt the Taika
reforms were abandoned, local lords
started their own armies
The Heian Era- Court Life
A new capital was started at Kyoto
There were strict rules for life
Poetry flourished, Chinese script was
modified
Women were very involved in court life
Lady
Murasaki
The Tale of
Genji
This was the first
novel published
anywhere, it is a
story of love and
intrigue in the
Imperial court
The Decline of Imperial Power
Aristocratic families began to take more
and more control
Fujiwara family came to dominate
Peasants and artisans lost even more
power
The Warrior Elite
Warrior leaders (BUSHI)
governed and taxed their lands
for themselves, not the court
They created their own armiesSAMURAI “one who serves”
By 11th century samurai were
widespread
The warrior code valued honor and
courage above all
Seppuku (ritual suicide) was
considered the way to maintain
honor in defeat
Peasants lost even more power
They became serfs
They could not move up in
class
Many looked to pure land
Buddhism for comfort
Declining influence of China
By 838 the Japanese cut ties
with Tang China
The Gempei wars caused great
suffering
The Minamoto emerged
victorious
Military govt. (Bakufu)
established at Kamakura
Japan became a feudal state
After the Minamoto the Hojo
family came to power (Shogun)
The emperor and Minamoto
became puppet rulers
Civil wars followed for 10 years
Japan broke into 300
competing states run by
warlords (Daimyos)
TOMOE GOZEN
Comparing Japanese and
European Feudalism
Both rose due to weak central
governments.
Both were based on mutual
obligations and military needs
There were differences- In Japan
family and social bonds were very
strong
Losing in battle was the worst disgrace
Military divisions/ Social
Change
15th and 16th century Warfare
became deadlier and constant
Daimyos gained more power, the
economy grew.
A new class of wealthy
merchants emerged.
Women lost almost all power with
rare exceptions
KOREA
Korea
The Tang ruled Korea till
668,remained independent till early
20th century
During Silla alliance period China
had its greatest influence
Art, learning and manufacture were
borrowed
Some Koreans studies for
Confucian exams, but most jobs
were determined by family
connections
Most of Korean society was
dominated by a small aristocratic
elite
All groups below them served
them- ‘low born’ virtual slaves
Periodic revolts
The burdens on the
commoners caused periodic
revolts
A century of conflict till YI
dynasty established in 1392
Maintained ties with China
It lasted till 1910
SOUTHEAST ASIA VIETNAM
Southeast Asia - Vietnam
China pushed south into their
territory
Viet people resisted the Chinese,
they had a strong culture and were
far from the Chinese center
They took what they wanted from
Chinese culture
The Han dynasty demanded
tribute, later they conquered and
ruled directly
Viets were sent to school in China
There were some revolts,
peasants never wanted Chinese
control
Trung sisters led a revolt in 39
C.E.
"All the male heroes bowed their
heads in submission; Only the two
sisters proudly stood up to avenge
the country." 15th century Poem
The great distance from China
helped
By 939 Korea was independent
Local scholar gentry never had
the same power as in China
Locals Viet officials favored the
peasants and village rulers
instead of the ruling dynasty
Struggle for Control
Two main powers
Trihn- centered in Hanoi
Nguyen- centered in Hue
Fought for 200 years
Summary
Japan, Korea and Vietnam were
influenced most because they had
large farming centers
Writing, bureaucracy, religion, art
were all influenced China
Each culture was mixed in how
much they borrowed
Korea- political submission and cultural
dependence
Vietnam- conquest and control for a
1000 years
Japan escaped direct rule, but Japan
adopted many aspects of Chinese arts
and government, then modified them