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East Asia – Medieval JapanCreated by: Lauren Bendesky

+Front of 1st Postcard

+Back of 1st PostcardDear Samantha,

After the emergence and increase in shogun, daimyo, and samurai the Kamakura Period began, and new innovations in the culture of Japan emerged. Zen Buddhism began in Japan, which aimed its attention mainly at one’s personal experiences. Zen Buddhism taught its followers that anyone could reach enlightenment if they tried to accomplish perfect concentration and knowledge of the religion. This religion began to have a giant impact on the culture present in Japan. Complete awareness was the main part of culture and arts in Japan. A type of Zen meditation because practicing swordplay by samurai, and the tea ceremony adopted from China became an art for those practicing Zen Buddhism.

Your friend,

Lauren

Samantha Burn

10293 NW 25th Street

Palm Beach, FL 33043

+Front of 2nd Postcard

+Back of 2nd PostcardDear Samantha,

The arts seem to play a huge role during this medieval period in Japan. Specifically important to this thriving in literature are women, who were able to learn to read and write Japanese if in the aristocratic class. Women who greatly contributed to Japanese literature include Sei Shonagon and a lady known as “The Mother of Michitsuna.” The literary works written during this time are mostly about romance and courtly life. I was also able to see a type of poetry, the indigenous Japanese refer to as tanka, which is similar to the haiku in the United States. It has a set form with a standard amount of syllables composing each of the five to seven lines.

Your friend,

Lauren Bendesky

Samantha Burn

10293 NW 25th Street

Palm Beach, FL 33043

+ Physical Geography of Japan

Japan is a nation consisting of four main and 2,456 smaller islands in the Pacific Ocean. Its closest neighbor is Korea and just east of China. Throughout the medieval period, Japan switched between isolating itself from its nearby neighbors and allowing them to influence the society of Japan. Therefore, the nearby countries had an influence on the organization of medieval Japanese society.

+Foreign Influence on Japan

Dating back to the fourth century, China has been the controlling force in world trade and economics. This caused China to have a great influence on Japanese culture. The upper-class Japanese very much wanted to copy the ways of the Chinese and altered their chosen religion to Buddhism. These also learned the ideographic writing system of China and adapted it for their language. Lastly, they were able to learn Chinese and read it and were largely affected by classical Chinese works.

+Bibliography“An Island Nation.” World History. Florida Virtual School, 2012. Web. 01 July 2013.

<http://learn.flvs.net/educator/student/frame.cgifriedline1*lbendesky1*mpos=1&spos=0&option=hidemenu&slt=yvAFo1IYwDFxA*3784*http://learn.flvs.net/webdav/educator_world_v12/index.htm>.

“Chinese Influence: Politics and Religion.” World History. Florida Virtual School, 2012. Web. 01 July 2013. <http://learn.flvs.net/educator/student/frame.cgifriedlie1*lbendesky1*mpos=1&spos=0&option=hidemenu&slt=yvAFo1lYwDFxA*3784*http://learn.flvs.net/webdav/educator_world_v12/index.htm>.

“Culture During the Kamakura Period.” World History. Florida Virtual School, 2012. Web. 01 July 2013. <http://learn.flvs.net/educator/student/frame.cgifriendline1*lbendesky1*mpos=1&spos=0&option=hidemenu&slt=yvAFo1lYwDFxA*3784*http://learn.flvs.net/webdav/educator_world_v12/index.htm>.

Lady Murasaki Shikibu. Digital image. The Flourishing of the Arts. Florida Virtual School, 2013. Web. 1 July 2013. http://learn.flvs.net/educator/student/frame.cgifriedline1*lbendesky1*mpos=1&spos=0&option=hidemenu&slt=yvAFo1lYwDFxA*3784*http://learn.flvs.net/webdav/educator_world_v12/index.htm>.

+BibliographyMedieval warriors on horses. Digital image. Medieval Japan. Medievaljapan.org, 2012. Web. 1

July 2013. <http://medievaljapan.org>.

The White Dove. Digital image. Zen Pictures – Zen Buddhism Wallpapers. Sathyasaibaba.wordpress.com, 16 June 2010. Web. 1 July 2013. <http://sathyasaibaba.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/zen-pictures-zen-buddhism-wallpapers/>.