Describe+Japan’s+cultural+and+economic+relationship+to+China+and+Korea.

Enduring Understanding: Japan had religious, economic, and cultural relationships with China and Korea.
With the spread of [|Buddhism] across Asia from India to China, then to Korea and finally Japan, the entire region became connected—not only by the religion, but also by the trade, [|art], culture, and traditions that traveled with it. Each country put its own stamp on all that arrived on its shores, even as strong influences helped stretch a common thread between nations.
 * 1) Religion**

While Japan during the Edo period was a [|closed country] to the West, it still [|traded on a limited basis] with China and Korea. The limits on other trade helped to solidify the bonds between the three Asian nations.
 * 2) Economics**

In Japan, Edo, modern-day Tokyo, was the seat of power in [|the Edo period], even though the city of Kyoto, to the south, was the official capital. Japanese literature, writing and poetry saw great development and advancement in the Heian period (794-1185 AD); but the Edo period (1615-1868) is also considered to be a great time of internal development for Japan. The arts of all three nations developed in similar ways, and affected each other greatly. Korean ceramics, for example, were favorites in Japan for use in the tea ceremony.
 * 3) Culture**

The Edo period in Japan was also characterized by Confucian conservatism, a Chinese philosophy tailored to Japanese life. The social philosophy also included strict hierarchy in government and society; the strictness was balanced by the establishment of “pleasure quarters” in major cities, where theaters, artists, prostitutes, and others were allowed to entertain patrons.


 * links in text:**

[1] a look at Buddhist art from the Smithsonian's Sackler and Freer galleries http://www.asia.si.edu/education/ArtofBuddhism1.pdf [2] Map and time line of art in China, Korea and Japan http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hm/06/ea/hm06ea.htm [3] overview of Japanese history http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e641.html [4] limited trade, sakoku: [|http://www.pitt.edu/~annj/courses/sakoku.html]


 * more links of interest:**

List of Japan’s rulers: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/jaru/hd_jaru.htm List of Korea’s rulers: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/koru/hd_koru.htm List of China’s rulers: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/chem/hd_chem.htm

A look at Japan's empires (two links) http://www.pbs.org/empires/japan/enteredo.html