Unit: Asian Civilizations
Lesson Title: Japan Learns from China and Korea
(See textbook pages 201-203)
Early Japanese society received very
little influence from other cultures.
Travel from the neighboring lands over
the sea was difficult in early times.
By the mid-500s A.D. some Japanese leaders thought
Japan could learn a great deal from other cultures.
They were especially interested in China and Korea.
A great leader, Prince Shotoku (573-621), would
eventually push Japan to adopt parts of Chinese
culture and ideas.
Japan learned about language, society, and
government from China and Korea.
Left side notebook activity
Read “Changes in Language” and “Changes in
Religion and Philosophy” and “Changes in Government”
(pages 202-203). Copy and complete the table below.
Describe how each category influenced and changed
Japanese life.
Language
(China)
Philosophy
(China)
Religion
(Korea)
Government
(China)
Right Side Notebook Activity
Create a biographical picture frame for Prince Shotoku.
Write a personal response to
something he did or believed.
Draw a
picture of
Prince
Shotoko
Write 3 things
you think are important
about him.
Write 3 things he helped change
about Japanese society.
Write his name artistically.
Lesson Review Wrap-up
Japanese Prince Shotoku ruled Japan.
He travelled in China and was very
impressed with Chinese ways - including
the religion of BUDDHISM.
Buddhism had spread from India to China and into Korea. So, In
the early 600s AD Prince Shotoku had Buddhist priests sent to
Japan.
The Japanese liked Buddhism because it promised rewards if you
were faithful and good.
Prince Shotoku also brought Confucianism from China to Japan
which taught people how to behave and gave rules for families.
The Chinese emperors had
great power.
Prince Shotoku
wanted Japan’s
emperors to
have great
power too.
The Japanese did not have a written language. So, they
copied Chinese writing.
What do you think?
Think about the ideas and things Japan borrowed from
China and Korea: a written language, a new religion
and philosophy (Buddhism and Confucianism), and a
different way of governing.
Which of these do you think would have the most
influence in changing a culture (way of life), and why?