Japan Assessment Study Guide

• Don't rely just on this!
• Look at your vocab, notes, and homework!

You will answer either 1 or 2, and either 3 or 4, and either 5 or 6. Aim for at least 10 solid points per question.

Each question's study aides have the same background as the test question.

1) List, Explain, and Analyze THREE ways in which geography has influenced Japan. Consider: Daily Life, Religion, and Government.

How has Geography influenced daily life in Japan?

How has Geography influenced religion in Japan?

How has Geography influenced government in Japan?

Consider:

• Little room for farming
• Main food and living source = fishing
• Isolated by sea and mountains

Consider:

• Maintained traditional cultures
• Able to defeat the Mongols due to a typhoon

Consider Vocab:

• archipelago
• Mount Fuji
• Ring of Fire
• Typhoon and Kamikaze
• Kami

2) Through the process of cultural diffusion, Japan adopted many Chinese cultural traits. Analyze and explain how, why and what Japan adopted from China and the ways in which that affected Japan’s culture.

What is Cultural Diffusion?

The Spreading Out

• of a culture,
• cultural traits,
• or a cultural pattern
• from a central point.

Consider Vocab:

• mission
• Buddhism
• Confucianis
• Taika Reform

How did Japan adopt traits from China?

Why did Japan adopt traits from China?

What traits did Japan adopt from China?

Consider:

• Religion
• Technology
• Government
• Language and Writing
• Food, etc

3) Compare and Contrast the Constitution of 17 Articles with at least ONE other government document (any in the world or history is acceptable). Evaluate which government plan you would prefer to live under and why. Back up your opinion with concrete evidence.

Who created the Constitution of 17 Articles?

Prince Shotoku

What is the Constitution of 17 Articles?

Guidelines for government, government officials, and the common people.

Revisit the Guidelines for Government assignment.

Think of another government plan and be able to describe it in less than 3 sentences.

What similarities are there between the two plans?

What differences are there between the two plans?

Consider:

• How each was created.
• Why each was created.
• What each was based upon?
• How the citizens in each location reacted to the plan?
• Were the plans successful or not?

Which plan would you want to live under and why?

4) Would you have liked to live under the Japanese feudalistic model? Why or why not? Use concrete reasons to explain your answer.

Consider:

• Know the feudalism structure.
• Know the rights and responsibilites of each level/label within the structure.
• Understand how the clans worked.

Consider:

• Various wars and battles between the clans.
• What impacts did the wars have on Japan?

Use academic vocabulary and examples from the unit in your answers!

Would you have enjoyed living under this structure? Why or why not?

5) There were many notable Clans, Families, and People that influenced Japan’s development as a country. Pick ONE and justify why your choice influenced Japan (and even the world, if you choose) more significantly than any other.

Consider:

• Jomon
• Yayoi
• Yamato
• Ainu
• Fujiwar
• Mongols

Consider

• Prince Shotoku
• Murasaki Shikibu
• Minamoto Yoritomo
• Ashikaga

What did your choice do?

What were the consequences/ripple effects of your choices contributions.

6) Religion played a significant impact in Japan. Analyze and explain how at least TWO religions (or sects) impacted Japan.

Consider Vocab:

• Buddhism
• Confucianism
• Shinto
• Heian
• Shingon

Consider More Vocab:

• Pure Land Buddhism
• Zen Buddhism
• Status of Women
• Animism
• Shrines
• Kami

How did these impact Japan?

Remember: You will answer EITHER 1 or 2, AND EITHER 3 or 4, AND EITHER 5 or 6. Aim for at least 10 solid points per question.