Transcript Asia: China, Japan, and Vietnam 600 C.E. to 1450 C.E.

Asia:
China, Japan, and
Vietnam
600 C.E. to 1450 C.E.
Originally created by Ms. Susan M. Pojer
Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY
Reunification
 For over 400 years when China was divided into
three separate states, the Wei in the north,
Wu in the south, and Shu in the west, the ideal
of Chinese unification was not.
 Chinese language, ideology, culture, and
administration had remained virtually intact.
 Unification was achieved under the Sui Dynasty
who provided the restoration of military power,
economic productivity, and administrative
integrity but massive public works led to the
disintegration of the Sui in a very short time.
The Rise of the Tang
 The leading general of the Sui seized control of
the state and under the imperial name Gaozu
established the new Tang Dynsasty in 618 C.E.
 Like we have seen before, when the Sui fell
after over-extending itself militarily and
economically, the Tang continued and even
expanded the empire.
 The state was now beyond China-proper and to
outer China, Mongolia, Central Asia, Pakistan,
and Iran. China also expanded into northern
Vietnam, Korea, and culturally into Japan.
Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E.
 Imperial examination system perfected.
 Liberal attitude towards all religions.
 Spread of Buddhism into China with Tibet
now the center of Buddhism. Why?
 Golden Age of foreign relations with
other countries.


Japan, Korea, Persia
Tang Government Organization
Tang Dynasty, 618-907
 New technologies:
Printing  moveable print 
 Porcelain
 Gunpowder
 Mechanical clocks

 More cosmopolitan culture.
 Reestablished the safety of the
Silk Road.
 Tea comes into China from Southeast Asia.

Empress Wu Zetian, 624-705
 The only female Empress in China’s
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history who ruled alone. 
Searched for outstanding individuals
to attract to her court.
Construction of new irrigation
systems.
Buddhism was the favored state
religion.
 Financed the building of many
Buddhist temples.
BUT… She appointed cruel and sadistic
ministers to seek out her enemies.
Tang Culture
 Buddhist religious art
 World’s first
pharmacopoeia
 Poetry with ties to
Buddhism,
Confucianism, and
Daoism
 Silk Road
Foot-Binding in Tang China
 Broken toes by 3 years of age.
 Size 5 ½ shoe
on the right
Foot-Binding
Mothers bound their daughters’ feet.
Foot-Binding
 For upper-class girls,
it became a new
custom.
The Results
Tang Legacies
 The three centuries of Sui and Tang rule
consolidated the theory and practice of Chinese
imperial rule even to the present.
 With only a few brief times in history, China has
been united for a continuous period of more than
fourteen centuries.
 Chinese assimilation of “barbarian” tribes would
define the current confines of Chinese culture and
in time these barbarian tribes would rise up.
 One such tribe were the Turkish Uighurs who led
their army in defense of the Tang and eventually
helped to led to its subsequent downfall.
Song Dynasty 960-1279
 Following the Tang collapse, warlords ruled
China until the Song Dynasty reimposed
centralized imperial rule.
 However, the Song never built a powerful state
because they never military leaders and placed
much more emphasis on civil administration,
industry, education, and the arts.
 Civil servants would go onto to control all
aspects of Chinese society including the military
and large sums and salaries were levied to
encourage others to adapt.
Song [Sung] Dynasty, 960-1279 C.E.

Creation of an urban, merchant, middle class.

Increased emphasis on education & cheaper
availability of printed books.

Magnetic compass
makes China a great
sea power! 
Song Peasant Family
Rice Cultivation Began Under the Song fm.
SE Asia
Song Rice Cultivation
Song Decline
 The Song approach to a more centralized
imperial government led to its eventual split and
fall: Financial and Military
 During the first half of the Song Dynasty, the
Khitan of Manchuria demanded and received
large tribute payments of silk and silver.
 The Song Dynasty in time with the incursion
from the north would move its empire to
Hangzhou and survived only in southern China.
 The Southern Song would remain until 1279
when the Mongol forces ended the dynasty and
incorporated southern China into their empire.
Chinese Dynasties
 Shang 1600-1100
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
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BCE
Zhou 1100-256
Qin 221-206
Han 202 BCE - 220
CE
Three Kingdoms 22065

Shu, Wei, and Wu
 Northern and






Southern Dynasties
265-598
Sui 581-618
Tang 618-907
Song 960-1279
Yuan 1279-1368
Ming 1368-1644
Manchu (Qing) 16441912
Early Japanese Society
Japan
Early Japanese Society
 The first signs of civilization and stable living
patterns appeared in the Mesolithic Era.
 Japan is a series of thousands of islands and it
is believed trade and contact with areas as far
as Okinawa was common.
 During the Han and Wei Dynsasties, Chinese
travelers to what is now Kyushu which is south
of main island Honshu,met descendents of the
Taibo or Wu.
 Yamato polity was the main ruling power in
Japan from the middle of the 3rd century until
710.
Yamato Period
 The Yamato Period is divided into two periods:
The Kofun Period (mid 3rd c-mid 6th c) defined
by a tumulus-building culture and the Asuka
Period (mid 6th c-710) defined as a time in
which the capital was in Asuka, near presentday Nara.
 During the 5th and 6th Centuries, there was
much contact between the Baekje Kingdom of
Korea and the Yamato State.
 This contact brought Buddhism to Japan and
military support to the Baekje.
Yamato Period: 300-710
Began promoting the adoption
of Chinese culture:
a
a
a
a
a
Confucianism.
Language (kanji characters).
Buddhist sects.
Chinese art & architecture.
Government structure.
“Great Kings” era
Zen Buddhism
a A Japanese
variation of the
Mahayana form
of Buddhism,
which came from
India through
China and Korea.
a It reinforced the
Bushido values of
mental and
self-discipline.
Yamato Period
 Tang Dynasty Chinese influences during the
Nara period were centralized imperial
government, aesthetics, and religion instead of
military advances during the Kofun-Asuka Eras.
 The Kofun Period (mound people) saw the
establishment of strong military states centered
around powerful clans in the
Yamato area.
 The Yamato Court is the origin of the Japanese
imperial lineage.
Yamato Period
 The Asuka period is when the proto-
Japanese society clearly developed into a
centralized state, codification of laws,
and Buddhist.
 One of the most well known of the Asuka
period was Prince Shotoku who devoted
his efforts to spread Buddhism and
Chinese culture in Japan.
Prince Shotoku: 573-621
a Adopted Chinese
culture and
Confucianism.
a Buddhist sects
allowed to develop.
a Created a new
government
structure:
 17 Article
Constitution
in 604. 
Empire of the Sun
 In a letter brought to the emperor of China by
an emissary from Japan stated that the
“Emperor of the Land where the Sun rises”
sends a letter to the “Emperor where the Sun
sets.” Impact?
 Taika Reform Edicts of 645 intensified
Japanese adoption of Chinese cultural practices,
government, and administration.
 This also paved the way for the dominance of
Confucian philosophy in Japan that would last
until the 19th Century.
Nara Period
 The Nara Period (8th c) marked the emergence of
a strong Japanese state. The capital was moved
to Heijo-kyo, near present-day Nara.
 It was modeled after the Chinese capital of the
day, Chang’an. (Xi’an)
 In 784 to limit the powers of the Buddhist
clergy, the capital was moved again to Heian-kyo,
present-day Kyoto.
 It was during this time a Japanese version of
creation began. These myths centered around
the Emperor Jimmu, a direct descendent of the
Shinto deity Amaterasu or the Sun Goddess.
Imperial Line
 The myths also claim Jimmu started a line of
emperors that remains unbroken to this day.
However, there is dispute over the origin of
Jimmu.
 For most of Japan’s history, actual political
power has not been in the hands of the
emperor,but in the hands of court nobility, the
shoguns, the military, and more recently, the
prime minister.
Heian Period: 794-1156
Characteristics:
a Growth of large landed estates.
a Arts & literature of China
flourished.
a Elaborate court life [highly refined]
 ETIQUETTE. 
a Final period of classical Japanese history
a Great novel
e The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki
Shikibu [1000 pgs.+] 
a Moving away from Chinese models in
religion, the arts, and government. 
Heian Period:
Cultural Borrowing
1.Chinese writing.
2.Chinese artistic styles.
3.Buddhism [in the form of
ZEN].
4.BUT, not the Chinese civil
service system! 
Heian Court Dress
The Pillow Book
by Sei Shonagon (diary)
Tale of Genji (first novel)
Tale of Genji Scroll
(first novel)
Lady Murasaki Shikibu
She contributed much to the Japanese
script known as kana, while men wrote
with Chinese characters, kanji.
Feudal Japan
The reigning families of the
Shogun
Feudal Japan
 The “feudal” period of Japanese history
is characterized by powerful, regional
aristocratic families (daimyo) and the
military rule of warlords (shogun).
 The three most important clans were the
Minamoto clan, the Taira clan, and the
Fujiwara clan.
Kamakura Period 1185-1333
 The Kamakura Period marks the governance of
the Kamakura Shogunate and the transition to
the Japanese “medieval” era, a roughly 700year period in which the Emperor,the court,
and the traditional central government were
left intact.
 Civil, military, and judicial matters were
controlled by the bushii (samarai) class, the
most powerful of which was the shogun.
 The first appointed Shogun by the emperor was
Minamoto no Yoritomo.
Minamoto Yoritomo
Founded the Kamakura Shogunate:
1185-1333
Kamakura Period
 After Yoritomo’s death, another warrior
clan,the Hojo came to rule as regents for the
shoguns.
 Mongol invasions of Japan between 1272 and
1281 (Kamikaze) or divine wind
 Although the invasion attempt was unsuccessful,
it lead to the fall of the Kamakura with the
extinction of the shogunate.
 The Kamakura Period is known as Japan’s
“Middle Ages” which includes the Muromachi
Period and lasted until the Meijii Restoration.
Mongol
“Invasions”
of Japan
4,400 ships and 140,000 men, but kamikaze
winds stopped them.
The emperor
reigned, but did not
always rule!
Feudal
Society
Feudalism
A political, economic, and social
system based on loyalty, the
holding of land, and military
service.
Japan:
Shogun
Land - Shoen
Land - Shoen
Protection
Samurai
Peasant
Daimyo
Loyalty
Daimyo
Samurai
Peasant
Loyalty
Samurai
Peasant
Food
Peasant
Feudalism
A political, economic, and social system
based on loyalty and military service
Code of Bushido
* Fidelity
* Politeness
* Virility
* Simplicity
Seppuku:
Ritual Suicide
It is honorable to
die in this way.
Kaishaku – his
“seconds”
Full Samurai Attire
Samurai Sword
Early Mounted
Samurai Warriors
Underpinnings: Basic Steps
in Self Defense
A COTTON BREECH CLOUT
that extended up over the
chest was the basic
undergarment of a samurai’s
costume
A SHORT SLEEVED KIMONO,
or “armor robe,” was tied
snugly at the waist with a
special knot (lower right)
BILLOWING
PANTALOONS,
worn over the
armor robe,
fitted loosely in
the legs to
allow freedom
of movement
STURDY
SHINGUARDS
of cloth or
leather were
reinforced with
strips of iron
to give
protection
from the front
AN EXQUISITE
BROCADE, richly
worked with a design
of peonies, was one
of the extravagant
materials used in an
armor robe that may
have been made for
a 14th Century
imperial prince
Samurai Charging
Feudalism
A political, economic, and social
system based on loyalty, the
holding of land, and military
service.
Europe:
King
Land - Fief
Land - Fief
Protection
Knight
Peasant
Lord
Loyalty
Lord
Knight
Peasant
Loyalty
Knight
Peasant
Food
Peasant
Code of Chivalry
* Justice
* Loyalty
* Defense
* Courage
* Faith
* Humility
* Nobility
Medieval Warriors
vs.
European knight
Samurai Warrior
Osaka Castle
Medieval Warriors
vs.
Knight’s Armor
Samurai Armor
Caernorfon Castle,
Wales
End of Kamakura Period
 The Kamakura Period ended in 1333 with the
destruction of the shogunate and short
reestablishment of imperial rule, the Kemmu
restoration, under the Emperor Go-Daigo by
Ashikaga Takauji clan.
 The Muromachi Period (1336-1573) marks the
governance of the Ashikaga shogunate, also
called the Muromachi shogunate, who seized
power from Emperor Go-Daigo ending the
Kemmu restoration.
Ashikaga Age (Muromachi):
1338-1573
► Shoguns fought for power.
a Laws are unclear.
a Less efficient than the Kamakura.
aImperial court split in two
a Armies of samurai protected
the country. 
The Age of the Warring States:
(1467 - 1568)
a Castles built on hills in different
provinces.
a Power shifts from above to
below.
a Europeans arrive in Japan 
bringing firearms & Christianity.
a Christianity & foreign trade
flourish.
Japanese Dynasties
 Yamota Period 250-710
 Kofun Period 250-538
 Asuka Period 538-710
 Nara Period 710-794
 Heian Period 794-1185
 Kamakura Period 1185-1333
 Kemmu Restoration 1333-1336
 Muramachi Period 1336-1573
Vietnam
From Chinese Domination to
Independent Kingdom
Geography of Vietnam
 Situated on in SE
Asia on Indochinese
Peninsula
 2000 miles of
coastline
 Tropical rainforests,
mountains, and
mighty rivers form
life blood of region.
Early Societies
 Evidence of the early established society was
found in Co Loa, the ancient city near presentday, Hanoi.
 According to legend, Qin’s renegade general
Zhao Tuo controlled the region and created the
empire known as Nam Yue.
 Many tribes from the north migrated into what
is now Vietnam settling along the Red River.
 Chinese domination is believed to have begun in
earnest under the Han with brief periods where
local leaders asserted their independence.
Period of Chinese Domination
 History of Vietnam began 2,700 years ago with
successive Chinese dynasties ruling Vietnam for most
of the period from 111 B.C. until 938 when Vietnam
regained its independence.
 Vietnam remained a tributary state to its larger
neighbor but repelled invasions by the Chinese
including three invasions by the Mongols between
1254 and 1284.
 King Tran Nhan Tong later diplomatically submitted
Vietnam to a tributary of the Yuan to avoid further
conflicts. Vietnam’s independent period would last
until the 19th Century.
Early Independence 938-1009
 As China became fragmented in the 10th Century,
successive lords from the Khuc family ruled
autonomously under the Tang title Tiet Do Su (Virtuous
Lord).
 In 938,the kingdom of the Southern Han sent troops
to conqueror the Tiet Do Su. However, the Han were
defeated and King Ngo began the age of independence
of Vietnam.
 Ngô Quyền was declared King and was officially
recognized by Imperial China in 939. In the process,
Annam (future Vietnam) gained full independence and
governmental autonomy ever since (with the exception
of a 20-period of military occupation by the Ming
Dynasty in the early 1400s.
Upheaval of the Twelve Warlords
 King Ngo Quyen’s reign was short and led to a
power struggle for the throne which became the
country’s first civil war.
 The wars of succession lasted from 945 to 967
when the clan led by Dinh Bo Linh defeated the
other warlords, unifying the country.
 Dinh founded the Dinh Dynasty and proclaimed
himself the first emperor (Tien Hoang) of Dai
Co Viet (Great Viet Land).
 However the Song Dynasty only recognized him
as a prince.
The Dinh Dynasty
 Emperor Dinh introduced strict penal codes to
prevent chaos from happening again and formed
alliances by granting the title of Queen to five
women from the five most influential families.
 Emperor Dinh and his son were assassinated and
in the vacuum the Song attacked but were
repelled.
 A new emperor, Emperor Le Hoan, would come
to power and began Vietnam’s southward
expansion into the Kingdom of Champa.
Independent Period of Dai Viet
1010-1527
 In 1009, a palace guard commander named Ly
Cong Uan was to take the throne in a series of
succession struggles.
 The Ly Dynasty is regarded as the beginning of
the golden era in Vietnamese history.
 Ly Cong Uan changed the country’s name to Dai
Viet or Great Viet. The Ly Dynasty is credited
with laying down the foundations for the nation
of Vietnam.
Ly Cong Uan
 Moved capital to present-
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day Hanoi then called
Thang Long or Ascending
Dragon
Strong economy was key
to national survival not
military prowess
Successors would create
universities
Examination system akin
to Chinese
New taxation system
Humane treatment of
prisoners and others
Role of Women in Ly Society
 Women were allowed to
hold important roles in Ly
Society as tax collectors
 Buddhism was also
promoted
 Pluralist attitude towards:
Buddhism, Confucianism,
and Daoism
 During the Ly Dynasty,
The Song Dynasty
officially recognized the
Dai Viet monarch as King
Ly to the Tran Dynasty
 In 1225 the Tran family, which had effectively
controlled the Vietnamese throne for many years,
replaced the Ly Dynasty by arranging a marriage between
one of its members and the last Ly monarch, an eightyear-old princess.
 Under the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400), the country
prospered and flourished as the Tran rulers carried out
extensive land reform, improved public administration,
and encouraged the study of Chinese literature.
 The Tran, however, are best remembered for their
defense of the country against the Mongols and the
Champa. By 1225, the Mongols controlled most of
northern China and Manchuria and were eyeing southern
China, Vietnam, and Champa.
Fall of the Tran Dynasty
The Trần dynasty was in turn overthrown by one of its own
court officials, Hồ Quý Ly. Hồ Quý Ly forced the last Trần
king to resign and assumed the throne in 1400.
Although widely blamed for causing national disunity and
losing the country later to the Chinese Ming Dynasty, Hồ
Quý Ly's reign actually introduced a lot of progressive,
ambitious reforms, including the addition of mathematics to
the national examinations, the open critique of Confucian
philosophy, the use of paper currency in place of coins, the
investment in building large warships and cannons, and land
reform.
He ceded the throne to his son, Hồ Hán Thương, in 1401
and assumed the title Thái Thượng Hoàng, in similar manner
to the Trần kings.
The Le Dynasty 1428-1527
 Le Loi overthrew the Ming
called the Lam son
Revolution.
 300,000 Ming soldiers killed
 In 1428, Le ascended the
throne and renamed the
country again Dai Viet and
moved the capital back to
Thang Long.
 Land reforms, move away
from Buddhism and towards
Confucianism, and rights for
women.
Le Loi
 Art became more
influenced by Chinese
styles
 National maps
commissioned
 Writing Dai Viet
history
 Opened hospitals and
distributed medicines
to pandemic areas
Le Dynasty Art
Vietnamese Dynasties
 Dinh Dynasty 968-980
 Prior Le Dynasty 980-1009
 Ly Dynasty 1009-1225
 Tran Dynasty 1225-1400
 Ho Dynasty 1400-1409
 Fourth Chinese Domination 1407-1427
 Le Dynasty 1428-1788