East Asian History Term Paper

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history of Japan. First, it will describe the masculinization of Japanese culture during the Kamakura Shogunate period and explore why masculinization happened. Second, the changing roles and relationships with each Buddhism and Shinto in Japan from Nara through the Kamakura period will be explored. Third, Korea's relationship with China and Japan up until the 1600's will be compared and contrasted. Fourth, the kinds of social, political and cultural climate in which early Buddhism took hold and flourished in China and Japan will be discussed. Finally, the Marxist Model of Feudalism will be defined. Reasons this model does not apply to Japan during the Kamakura and Ashikaga Shogunates will be discussed.

The Masculinization of Japanese Culture

Early on in the development of Japan's feudal society, the culture was defined by "the central figure of the aristocratic fighting man on horseback" (Reischauer 45). This focus in the knight and politics created from this type of protection began male centered culture for the Kamakura Shogunate period. This happened mainly because of two reasons. First, Japanese families needed protection because of many ongoing clashes and small wars. Secondly this government of shogunate resulted from "a simple organization designed to control the relatively small bands of knights who owed personal allegiance to the Mimoto" (Reischauer 50). Bonding these knights together were family ties and long-standing friendships based on loyalty. It is because of these bonds, the shogunate influence and its male centered attributes became engrained in Japanese culture. Reischauer explains as a result of the shogunate "the man behind the throne had become s series of men, each one in turn controlled by the man behind him" (52).

Buddhism and Shinto in Japan

John Langone writes, "a Korean ambassador brought over a statue of Buddha and copies of his sacred books around the year 550 A.D." (23). Thus began the changing roles and relationships of Buddhism and Shinto in Japan during the Nara period through the Kamakura period. This event demonstrates Japan's growing relationship with outside lands. Until then the Japanese practiced the religion of Shinto or the Ways of the Gods. As a result, Buddhism spread slowly because of strong opposition.

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Another factor that contributed to Buddhism spreading slowly yet changing roles and relationships with Shinto was the fact the shogunate knights has a strong influence over the people. John W. Hall explains, "the shogun and daimgo became ordained rulers of the people" (182). This made the transition to Buddhism cumbersome. It also made it difficult for Buddhism to make a lasting impression. It was not until forty years later, that Buddhism became considered the state religion but only after the emperor adopted it (Langone 23). This commenced a period of great progress and change for Japan's culture in the form of art, education, language, medicine and civil service because of the emperor's relationship with China.

Korea's Relationship with China and Japan

Due to Japan's geographical location, it is simple for one to assume the country went through a period of isolation until the 1600's. This assumption could not be further from the truth. The Chinese had a large influence on the island because "Chinese was the main fare of scholars, production of poetry, the inspiration of arts and literature" (Jansen 320). Such influence held a wide range of feelings and reactions from the Japanese. They felt anything from resentment to adoration of the Chinese culture. These emotions would later lead to a solid national identity. During the 1600's Japan exported a large amount of goods to Korea and China. One product that gained popularity in Korea was the Japanese curved sword (Reischauer 74). Japan's relationship with Korea was largely economic and commerce based. Still as a result of Japan's increased trade activity upon the seas, this caused much unrest with Korea. Reischauer explains, "Koreans were the chief mariners and traders in the waters between Japan and the continent" (74). The Koreans did not care for Japan's domination of commerce in the East China Sea. Because of such hostility, Japanese warrior merchants took to the seas and "pirates….....

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