Glossary
Buddhism
A religion and philosophy originating in India, based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, which spread throughout Asia, including China, Korea, and Japan.
Example:
Many grand temples and monasteries were built in Korea as Buddhism became a prominent religion, influencing art, architecture, and daily life.
Bureaucracy
A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.
Example:
The Song Dynasty strengthened its bureaucracy by creating a highly organized system of government departments, each with specific responsibilities, to manage the vast empire.
Bushido Code
The moral code of the samurai in feudal Japan, emphasizing honor, loyalty, courage, self-discipline, and indifference to pain.
Example:
A samurai's life was guided by the Bushido Code, which dictated their behavior in battle and in daily life, even valuing death over dishonor.
Champa Rice
A fast-ripening and drought-resistant strain of rice introduced to China from Vietnam, significantly increasing agricultural yields and supporting population growth.
Example:
The cultivation of Champa Rice allowed Chinese farmers to harvest two crops per year, leading to a dramatic increase in food supply and population.
Civil Service Exam
A rigorous examination system, revived during the Tang and Song dynasties, used to select officials for government positions based on their knowledge of Confucian classics.
Example:
Passing the Civil Service Exam was incredibly difficult, but it offered a path to social mobility and prestige for talented men from various backgrounds.
Confucianism
A comprehensive philosophical system developed by Confucius in China, emphasizing morality, ethics, social harmony, filial piety, and respect for authority.
Example:
Korea heavily adopted Confucianism from China, which influenced its government structure, social hierarchy, and educational system.
Cosmopolitan Culture
A culture characterized by a wide range of influences from different countries and cultures, often due to extensive trade and exchange.
Example:
The Tang capital of Chang'an was a hub of cosmopolitan culture, where merchants, monks, and scholars from Persia, India, and Central Asia mingled freely.
Daimyo
Powerful Japanese feudal lords who controlled large landholdings and commanded private armies of samurai warriors.
Example:
Each daimyo maintained their own castle and territory, often engaging in rivalries and alliances with neighboring lords.
Feudal System (Japan)
A decentralized political and social structure in Japan where power was held by regional lords (daimyo) who commanded samurai warriors, under the nominal authority of the emperor and shogun.
Example:
Japan's feudal system meant that local lords, not the emperor, held the real power, leading to periods of intense internal conflict.
Foot Binding
A painful practice in China, primarily among elite women, involving tightly wrapping young girls' feet to prevent natural growth, seen as a sign of beauty and wealth.
Example:
The practice of foot binding became a stark symbol of female subjugation and social status in imperial China, limiting women's mobility.
Grand Canal
A massive artificial waterway project initiated during the Sui Dynasty, connecting the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers to facilitate trade and communication across China.
Example:
Imagine the sheer scale of moving goods and troops across China before the Grand Canal made it possible to transport rice from the fertile south to the populous north.
Gunpowder
An explosive chemical mixture invented in China, initially used for fireworks but later revolutionized warfare with the development of cannons and firearms.
Example:
The invention of gunpowder in China eventually spread westward, forever changing military tactics and fortifications around the world.
Meritocracy
A system in which promotion is based on individual ability or achievement rather than on wealth or social standing.
Example:
China's civil service exam system aimed to create a meritocracy, ensuring that government officials were chosen for their knowledge and skill, not just their family name.
Paper
A material invented in China for writing and drawing, which revolutionized communication, record-keeping, and the spread of knowledge.
Example:
Before the widespread use of paper, important documents were often written on cumbersome bamboo strips or silk, making record-keeping much more challenging.
Patriarchal Society
A social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.
Example:
Traditional Chinese society was a patriarchal society, where family lineage was traced through the male line and women had limited public roles.
Samurai
A class of highly skilled hereditary warriors in feudal Japan, who served the daimyo and lived by a strict code of conduct.
Example:
The samurai were renowned for their martial prowess and unwavering loyalty, embodying the ideals of honor and discipline.
Scholar Gentry
A new social class of educated elites in China who gained status and influence by passing the civil service exams and serving in the bureaucracy.
Example:
The Scholar Gentry became the most respected social class in Song China, often serving as local leaders and cultural patrons.
Shintoism
The indigenous religion of Japan, focusing on the worship of kami (deities or spirits) and emphasizing purity, nature, and ancestral reverence.
Example:
Unlike China's Confucianism, Shintoism is unique to Japan, with its sacred shrines often nestled in beautiful natural settings.
Shogun
The supreme military commander in feudal Japan, who held the actual political power while the emperor remained a symbolic figurehead.
Example:
The Minamoto clan established the Kamakura Shogunate, with the shogun effectively ruling Japan for centuries.
Song Dynasty
A period in Chinese history marked by significant cultural, technological, and economic innovation, despite facing military challenges.
Example:
The Song Dynasty saw the widespread adoption of paper money, revolutionizing commercial transactions and boosting the economy.
Sui Dynasty
A short-lived imperial dynasty that reunified China after a long period of division, laying crucial groundwork for subsequent dynasties.
Example:
The Sui Dynasty's ambitious construction of the Grand Canal helped connect disparate regions of China, even though the dynasty itself quickly collapsed.
Tang Dynasty
Often considered a 'Golden Age' of China, this dynasty was known for its peace, prosperity, cultural flourishing, and military expansion.
Example:
During the Tang Dynasty, poets like Li Bai and Du Fu created timeless works, reflecting the era's vibrant artistic and literary scene.
The Tale of Genji
Considered one of the world's first novels, this Japanese literary masterpiece provides insights into the aristocratic life and culture of Heian Japan.
Example:
Students studying Japanese history often read excerpts from The Tale of Genji to understand the intricate courtly manners and aesthetic sensibilities of the Heian period.
Tribute System
A traditional system of international relations in East Asia where smaller states acknowledged China's superiority by paying tribute to the Chinese emperor.
Example:
Under the Tribute System, neighboring kingdoms would send gifts and envoys to the Chinese court, receiving valuable trade goods and recognition in return.