1.) Japan’s earliest distinct culture was called the Jomom. These people were different from other hunting/gathering societies because they stayed in one place rather than be nomadic. They had homes and developed agriculture. The types of surface decorations adorned their pottery was decorated with rope markings incised lines and coils of clay.
2.) The agricultural innovations and changes in material culture that marked Yayoi cultural development in the Yayoi period were wet race was grown and polychrome ceramics was made and bronze casting and loom weaving.
3.) The sorts of symbolic items that were buried with important individuals in Kofun burial mounds were swords comma shaped jewels and mirrors. The supposed function of haniwa figures was they served as a protective barrier between the living and the dead.
4.) Amaterasu’s shrine at Ise reconstructed every 20 years so it reflects ritual renewal and purification. The form of the main hall is based upon Japanese Granaries. The shrine reflects the Shinto idea of connection between nature and spirit by the construction of it is from the nature world and the kami. And from the little film clip on rebuilding Ise, why is 20 years chosen as the schedule to rebuild?????????
5.) The religious items that were sent from Korea to Japan, marking the beginning of the Asuka Period were bronzes statues of Buddha and Buddhist scripters. The development that marked the beginning of the Nara Period was when Japan accepted Chinese scriptures and set up their own parliament government. The programs/innovations that Prince Shotoku found the most influential during the Japanese ruler of the Nara, introduced was urban planning (written record keeping from China) and Buddhism (official state religion).
6.) By commissioning the Todaiji Temple and its great bronze Buddha the Emperor Shomu was attempting to unify and strengthen the country by using religion.
7.) Tendai and Shingon both believe that all individuals possess Buddha nature and can achieve enlightenment through meditation rituals and careful living. A particular meditation aid that the Shingon disciples use is hand gestures (mudras) and recites words or syllables. A mandara is a diagram of the cosmic universe.
8.) The simple message of Amida or Pure Land Buddhism is universal salvation.
9.) The Tale of Genji was about giving people a glimpse of the Heian court culture. Murasaki Shikubu was the one who wrote the Tale of Genji. The illustrations on the handscrolls focus on emotionally charged moments in personal relationships. Ceilings and roofs of rooms are omitted because the painter wants to allow a privileged view of the interior spaces where the action takes place.
10.) Japanese painting and poetry use a standard of body of nature images to connect with human sentiments or emotions by the use of angles to depict characters emotions. Examples would be flat or unshaded color would be a reflection of a 2 dimensional figure, rich patterns show a feeling of sumptuousness.
11.) Minamoto Yoritomo was the first to establish the first Shogunate.
12.) The Night Attack on Sanjo Palace is an example of Japanese historical narrative painting. The Japanese scroll is common with Chinese handscrolls by the fact that they both have the calligraphy writings shown on the side of it. Also, both handscrolls tell a story and is told the more you unravel the scroll and should be read right to left. The scene number that depicts the decapitation of the defeated samurai I believe is the 12th (if read right to left) its right after the burning of the palace. Yoshitomo appears on horseback twice. The distinguishing color of his armor is red. 13.) The two great samurai clans that dominated Japan in the 12th century were the Minamoto and the Taira. The Taira clan eventually triumphed. Yoritimo's strength was his lord-vassal relationships he established with his followers. His weakness was his inability to provide effective