Notes on Japan

Japan

Despite the close cultural (for example, use of a pictograph system for writing), political (similar ideas about the nature and powers of the emperor) and economic (trade exchange ties) between early Chinese and Japanese societies, the two developed in different geographical--no surpise--and political environments. Historians still disagree upon the exact reasons for that, but clearly Japan's existence as an island society (partly insulated from migrating peoples and invaders by the sea) was much different than the Chinese experience (long borders with possible enemies on many sides). Still, by the twelfth century or so, Japan had developed as a fairly stable, advanced society. The Japanese samurai warrior was essentially similar to a medieval European knight, wielding similar weaponry, adhering to a strict moral code, fighting for religion and emperor and being a noble. The samurai also underwent a long period of training in preparation for his career. Some recommended online lectures and websites:

The Emergence of Japan
List of links that deal with the different eras of Japanese history.
Nakasendo Highway: A Journey to the Heart of Japan is project that uses the Nakasendo highway, connecting Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo), as a metaphor to explore a variety of topics about Japanese history and culture.
A Concise History of Japan by Charles Kimball
The Samurai Archives: Japanese History page
For extra credit please suggest to your instructor a relevant website for this unit of the course.
Send the title of the site, the url and a brief explanation why you find the information interesting and applicable to the material being studied in this unit.