Japan
Government
• In the beginning, it was run by powerful clans
• The Fujuwara clan was dominant in the 8th century
• The Fujuwara clan neglected the people
• Japan passed into feudalism
Merchant
• Kamakura clan took over
• Led by Yoritomo (called shogun, which means great general
• Changed Japan into a warrior state
• Ashikaga clan took over in 1336
• Tokugawa clan took over in 1600
Warrior Class
• Japanese warrior was called a samurai
• Samurai lived by an unwritten code called Bushido (the way of the warrior)
• The Bushido required the warrior to commit suicide (called hara-kiri) rather than be captured or prove disloyal to master
Religion
• Shintoism – an ancient form of Japanese religion
• Believed that everything in nature that was unusual (waterfall, fire, high mountain) possessed deity.
• The sun was a goddess and the emperor was a descendant of the sum
• Zen Buddhism – religion from China
• Required its followers to develop intense mental concentration
• Helped the warriors on the battlefield
Vietnam
• Early civilization was divided into two kingdoms
1. Champa
2. Dai Viet
Dai Viet
Champa
• The Dai Viet invaded and destroyed the capital of Champa
• The Dai Viet became known as the Vietnamese
Cambodia (Angkor)
Cambodia
• Once known as Angkor
• Angkor served as the center of Khmer’s power
• Khmer was the empire in this region
• 1000 temples were built in this area
Angkor Wat
Ta prohm temple
• They were eventually ruled by the Thai and Vietnamese