Chinese 01-22-08 Ideals, Japanese Practices Nara(710~) and Heian (794-1185) Periods Ruled by the Tang dynasty Everyone in that region wrote Chinese, strong Japan feared a Tang invasion 710 Yamato moved from Kyushu to the main island Capital is moved to Kyoto selected for strict Adherence to fengshui *Foreign relations *Law & Governance *Myth *Culture (idea of having to watch out from the north) Myth and Political Power *Kojiki 672 (compiled in) Record of ancient things Katakana, Hiragana, Kanji(Chinese influence) Kojiki was written with Chinese characters in Japanese Since didn't have own language Origins of imperial households comes from this text Imperial Regalia bronze mirrors prevalent in Chinese culture as well signs of imperial authority Sword represents military power hook shaped jewels Monsters and unruly gods Amaterasu and Susanoo = rivals Divine descendents: Jimmu "a god of war" Birth place in Kyushu mainland Believe Jimmu is a myth Claim to be descendants of god Elevates ruler over the people you're conquering Yamato rule doesn't extend to the borders through a peaceful manner but through violent conquer Extend power through violence Chinese notions of civilization used in Japanese culture talk about the Emishi * Nihon Shoki Establishes genealogy text Impact of China, Nihon Shoki is written completely in Chinese Japanese culture comes out of Chinese rule Emishi fought with horses and bows Yamato would have large armies killed to show civilized battle against Barbarians Foreign Relations Contacted the Chinese (670) Made the critical error of comparing the Japanese emperor with the Chinese emperor, so in 670 asked the Chinese for help in learning how to produce porcelain, etc "Land of the Rising Sun" (Nippon/Nihon) vs. "Wa" Chinese were technologically advanced Wanted to be in contact with Chinese because need to be recognized by the Chinese for other countries to trade with you Contact with Sinophone world: Korea, Vietnam Sinophone = Chinese speaking world Imperial relatives above clan gods
*New Laws, New Govt* Shtoku Taishi (574-622) Regent serves in place of king to write laws (run govt) Talked to Tang Chinese, Chinese models Introduced Buddhism because thought needed in order to be seen as civilized Series of bureaucrats Confucian language Saga no Emishi almost overthrew the govt 17 Article Constitution (Jshichij Kenp) Private vs. public interests Shtoku Taishi said govt should focus on public interests and not on private 17 Article try Constitution to transform from clans to codes of law More like 10 commandments Ethical conduct necessary based on the Chinese Ritsury system 669-757 Taih code (Taih-ritsury) Reduce clan power, abolished old system Laws that gave authority to clan chiefs Mandate of heaven (didn't embrace)\ Japanese reject idea of mandate of heaven Japanese leaders are descendents of God that cannot be overthrown "our man is god" Always have positions for noble family
Dept of worship Buddhist monks owned land that wasn't taxable Higher than Dept of State, fulfills cultural role Dept of State employs 8 Ministries to fulfill tasks
Chancellor of the realm heads the Dept of State Councilors can address issues of the day District chiefs actually run and find people to fulfill public works Police commissioners protect localities by raids of Emishi Overtime became more and more professional becoming more like a standing army Ownership and Land "public property" emperor owns the land he lends you the land to work it Household Fields untaxable Emperor has the right to ask you to do things Inspired by China "equal fields system" emperor will protect but wants to return labor and rice All people of 6 years old are allowed land to work Kept a census *Taxes: Suiko = "loan seeds" From the suiko expected to give ex. 15% of bushels All alnd is taxable in this way Tax only ~every 12 years Productivity of the land is based on the govt (guess) Corve labor (to wage system), direct commodities Relied less and less on this Lords can ask of their peasants silk, pottery, livestock Castes divided between upper and lower classes Lower class included soldiers Marriages between the classes prohibited Govt will force you to borrow seeds even though have own Govt began to make its own currency, had to compete with local mints and foreign currency Currency everyone accepted was Chinese currency 723-743 appearance of private property (minimal) Private estates (shen) slowly emerged Income in local governments going to increase, national central authority going to decrease Leads to corruption, tax revenues decrease Local authorities larger responsibility, more specific roles Culture and Ritual Chinese culture as civilization People on the top has monopoly over the culture Culture a way for nobility to display superiority because "descendents of God" Urban planning
Music: Gagaku Shintoism influenced by Daoism in terms of rituals Commodities of the elite Political marriage