Confucianism

Kong Fuzi created this philosophical and ethical system that emphasizes the importance of moral values, social harmony, and respect for tradition that promotes virtues such as filial piety, respect for authority, and the cultivation of personal character to create a just and harmonious society (ren- kindness, li- sense of propriety (treat all other humans with courtesy), xiao- filal piety meaning respect parents and family elders.)

li

Treating all other human beings with respect (treat others the way you want to be treated).

xiao

filal piety meaning respect parents and family elders

Laozi

potentially mythical but is known for creating Daoism and the book Daodejing

Daodejing

book written by Laozi meaning the Book of the Way and Virtue

Zhuangzi

Book- one of the earliest texts to contribute to the philosophy that has come to be known as Daojia, or school of the Way Person- the man who wrote Zhuangzi

wuwei

taking no action that is not in harmony with the natural flow of life

Sui Dynasty 581-618

unified China under one rule after the Period of Disunion and only lasted from 581 AD to 618. The Sui Dynasty is famous for creating the Grand Canal. Capital was Chang’an. See above for dynastic cycle of Sui Dynasty

Grand Canal

a large canal constructed during the Sui Dynasty that connected Beijing to Hangzhou (north-south) that allowed for trade between northern and southern China as the rivers normally flowed east-west

Tang Dynasty (618 C.E- 907 C.E)

First emperor was emperor Gaozu (Li Shuan). The dynasty had a good transportation system with runners, horses, and Grand Canal, equal field system(1/5 of land became hereditary possession of recipients), bureaucracy of merit. They lasted from (618-907 C.E)

Tang Taizong

The second ruler of the Tang Dynasty who killed 2 of his brothers and forced his brother to abdicate

Empress Wu

The only empress of China famous for her ruthlessness and reform for women’s rights in China during her reign. She made Buddhism popular during her reign by funding the building of Buddhist temples and Buddha statues. She also allowed for more freedom for women through their right to divorce, equal funeral rites, and women in government. She also introduced merit-based recruitment for government positions, the expansion of the civil service system, the establishment of a secret police force to consolidate her power. She also made crucial international connections with many ambassadors from different nations visiting China. She was however, controversial because of her brutality of killing multiple family members in order to maintain her power and making her sons wait a long time to take the throne. She ruled officially from 690-705 but also ruled with her husband (behind the scenes) for long before that. She has an empty slab without any information on her life near her tomb.

An Lushan Rebellion

This rebellion occurred from 755-763 which severely weakened the Tang dynasty’s strength and led to the deaths of millions. The Tang were left with a deteriorated military state and were failing economically.

Uighurs

These Turkish people saved the Tang against the An Lushan rebellion. However, they demanded heavy payment and were allowed to sack the capital. Later, they tried to take over the whole country and the Tang were forced to rely on regional warlords to fight them, who eventually took over.

Song Dynasty

Song Taizu was the first ruler of this dynasty. A Chinese imperial dynasty that ruled from 960 to 1279 CE. Known for its flourishing arts, culture, and technological advancements, the period can be divided into the Northern Song (960-1127 CE) and Southern Song (1127-1279 CE), with its capital initially in Kaifeng and later in Hangzhou. The Song Dynasty saw innovations in areas like printing, paper money, and advancements in Confucian philosophy, but it also faced challenges from neighboring states, ultimately succumbing to the Mongol Empire in the late 13th century.

fast-ripening rice

Refers to rice varieties that have been selectively bred or genetically modified to have a shortened growth cycle, allowing them to mature and be harvested more quickly than traditional rice varieties.

"flying cash”

a medieval Chinese credit system, utilized during the Tang and Song Dynasties, where merchants could deposit money with a trusted agent and receive a certificate that could be used to withdraw an equivalent amount from a different location

neo-Confucianism

Combines Confucian principles with elements of Daoist and Buddhist thought

Silla Dynasty

The Silla Dynasty was an ancient Korean kingdom that ruled from 57 BCE to 935 CE. It is renowned for its unification of the Korean Peninsula and its contributions to Korean culture, including the development of Buddhism, fine arts, and advanced metallurgy techniques.

Annam (Vietnam)

China’s Influence: Agricultural methods, irrigation systems, school systems, administrative techniques, Confucian texts studied, examination system, Buddhism Distinctions: Indigenous religion preferred over Chinese cultural traditions, women had more prominent role in society (active in markets and business)

Nara

The Nara Period in Japan (710-794 CE) marked a significant cultural and political era characterized by the establishment of the capital in Heijō-kyō (modern-day Nara) and the flourishing of Buddhism, leading to the construction of temples and the importation of Chinese and Korean Buddhist influences. This period also witnessed the implementation of the Taika Reforms aimed at centralizing the government, though over time, regional powers grew stronger, culminating in the relocation of the capital to Heian-kyō (modern-day Kyoto) in 794 CE, signaling the transition to the Heian Period.

Shintoism

Japanese indigenous religion emphasizing kami (deities), rituals, and natural reverence practices.

Heian

Japanese Period (794 - 1185 CE) known for being artistic (specifically literature); The Heian aristocracy, spanning from 794 to 1185 CE in Japan, encompassed the elite class of court nobles known as Kuge, who held sway over a refined culture of poetry, literature, and courtly rituals in the capital city of Heian-kyō (modern-day Kyoto), while also witnessing the emergence of distinctive gender roles and the gradual decline of central authority.

The Tale of Genji

The world's first novel and a touchstone of Japanese literature

shogun

Social class in Feudalism; served as the actual rulers of Japan

Kamakura

Shogun Period spanning from 1185 - 1333 CE

Muromachi

Shogun Period spanning from 1336 - 1573 CE

samurai

Japanese soldiers who were well respected and were the middle class of Feudalism

Daoism

the way of living which emphasizes harmony with the natural, balanced order of the universe. (less involvement of government and people live in small communities happily)

Legalism

strict and rigid adherence to the letter of the law or rules, often without considering the spirit or intent behind them. It emphasizes strict obedience to rules and regulations, sometimes at the expense of fairness or common sense.

Kong Fuzi

The creator of Confucianism who first started preaching it around the 6th century BCE

junzi

a person whose humane conduct (ren) makes him a moral exemplar (gentlemen)

ren

the kindess part of Confucianism