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In the 8th century AD, Japan's government was highly centralized, with its bureaucracy modeled after T'ang dynasty China.
Answer: True
During the 8th century AD, Japan's governmental structure was indeed highly centralized, with its administrative system consciously modeled after that of T'ang dynasty China.
The proliferation of *shōōden* (tax-exempt estates) led to increased tax revenue for the imperial court.
Answer: False
The proliferation of *shōōden* led to a significant *loss* of tax revenue for the imperial court, as these estates were exempt from taxation.
Japan dismantled its national conscript army by 792 AD because the conscripts were considered unreliable and poorly trained.
Answer: True
By 792 AD, Japan dismantled its national conscript army due to the conscripts' unreliability, poor training, and ineffectiveness against mounted warriors, alongside the impracticality of training them in horsemanship.
The Minamoto and Taira clans were formed in the early 9th century after Emperor Saga expelled members of the imperial family.
Answer: True
The Minamoto and Taira clans originated in the early 9th century as a result of Emperor Saga expelling imperial family members, leading to their formation.
During the Heian period, the *ō-yoroi* armor was lighter and favored by lower-ranking samurai fighting on foot.
Answer: False
The *ō-yoroi* armor from the Heian period was heavy and primarily favored by high-ranking samurai fighting on horseback, not lighter samurai on foot.
The *tachi* (curved sword) and *naginata* (polearm) emerged as distinctive samurai weapons during the Heian period.
Answer: True
Distinctive samurai weapons such as the curved sword (*tachi*) and the polearm (*naginata*) first appeared and became prominent during the Heian period.
How did land ownership change in Japan during the 8th century AD?
Answer: Private ownership of newly reclaimed farmland was permitted.
In the 8th century AD, a reform allowed for the private ownership of newly reclaimed farmland, which stimulated land reclamation and contributed to the growth of large estates.
What was a major consequence of the proliferation of tax-exempt estates (*shōōden*) in Japan?
Answer: Significant loss of tax revenue for the imperial court and increased burden on remaining taxable land.
The growth of tax-exempt estates (*shōōden*) resulted in a substantial decrease in tax revenue for the imperial court and shifted the tax burden onto the remaining taxable land and its cultivators.
Why did Japan dismantle its national conscript army by 792 AD?
Answer: They were considered unreliable, poorly trained, and ineffective against mounted warriors.
Japan dismantled its conscript army by 792 AD because the conscripts were deemed unreliable, poorly trained, and ineffective, particularly against mounted warriors.
How did the Minamoto and Taira clans gain prominence in the early 9th century?
Answer: By marrying into wealthy provincial families seeking aristocratic status and tax exemptions.
The Minamoto and Taira clans gained prominence by marrying into wealthy provincial families who sought aristocratic status and tax exemptions, thereby expanding their influence and warrior retinues.
Which armor style from the Heian period was typically worn by high-ranking samurai fighting on horseback?
Answer: *Ō-yoroi*
The *ō-yoroi* armor style, prevalent in the Heian period, was typically worn by high-ranking samurai engaged in mounted combat.
Taira no Kiyomori was the last samurai to hold a senior court rank before the establishment of the shogunate.
Answer: False
Taira no Kiyomori was the *first* samurai to hold a senior court rank, achieving this position before the establishment of the shogunate.
Minamoto no Yoritomo established the Kamakura shogunate by integrating his military government into the existing imperial bureaucracy.
Answer: False
Minamoto no Yoritomo established the Kamakura shogunate by creating a *parallel* military government in Kamakura, rather than integrating it into the existing imperial bureaucracy.
The *shugo* (military governors) appointed during the Kamakura shogunate eventually displaced the authority of the civilian governors appointed by the imperial court.
Answer: True
Over time, the *shugo* appointed by the Kamakura shogunate gradually superseded the authority of the civilian governors who were appointed by the imperial court.
The Mongol invasions of Japan in the 13th century were repelled solely by the superior naval power of the Japanese samurai.
Answer: False
While samurai fought valiantly, the Mongol invasions were repelled not solely by naval power, but significantly aided by natural phenomena such as typhoons, known as *kami-no-kaze*.
The *kami-no-kaze*, or 'wind of the gods', refers to the typhoons that helped the Japanese repel the Mongol invasions of 1274 and 1281.
Answer: True
The term *kami-no-kaze*, meaning 'wind of the gods', is indeed associated with the typhoons that played a crucial role in repelling the Mongol invasions of Japan in the 13th century.
During the Nanboku-chō period, the Ashikaga shogunate reduced the authority of the *Shugo*, preventing them from collecting taxes.
Answer: False
During the Nanboku-chō period, the Ashikaga shogunate actually *expanded* the authority of the *Shugo*, granting them greater powers, including tax collection rights.
The *kami-no-kaze* reinforced the Japanese belief that their land was under supernatural protection, boosting national identity.
Answer: True
The *kami-no-kaze* phenomenon reinforced the belief in Japan's divine protection, thereby strengthening national identity and morale.
What was the significance of the Hōgen and Heiji Rebellions for the samurai class?
Answer: They intensified clan rivalry and led to political factions aligning along clan affiliations.
The Hōgen and Heiji Rebellions intensified clan rivalries, causing political factions to align based on clan affiliations, which was a significant development for the samurai class.
How did Minamoto no Yoritomo establish the Kamakura shogunate?
Answer: By defeating the Taira clan and establishing a parallel military government in Kamakura.
Minamoto no Yoritomo established the Kamakura shogunate by defeating the Taira clan and creating a distinct military government based in Kamakura.
What was a primary duty of the *shugo* (military governors) appointed during the Kamakura shogunate?
Answer: Coordinating *gokenin* in military matters and enforcing law.
The primary duties of *shugo* included coordinating *gokenin* for military actions and enforcing law within their territories.
What natural phenomenon significantly aided the Japanese samurai in repelling the Mongol invasions of the 13th century?
Answer: Major thunderstorms and typhoons (*kami-no-kaze*).
Major thunderstorms and typhoons, referred to as *kami-no-kaze* ('wind of the gods'), significantly assisted Japanese samurai in repelling the Mongol invasions.
What development occurred during the Nanboku-chō period that led to the emergence of powerful regional lords?
Answer: The expansion of *Shugo* authority by the Ashikaga shogunate.
The Ashikaga shogunate expanded the authority of the *Shugo* during the Nanboku-chō period, which contributed to the rise of powerful regional lords known as *shugo daimyo*.
The introduction of the *Tanegashima* matchlock firearm from Portugal revolutionized warfare during the Sengoku period.
Answer: True
The arrival of the *Tanegashima* matchlock firearm from Portugal marked a significant turning point, fundamentally altering warfare tactics and effectiveness during the Sengoku period.
During the Sengoku period, the *naginata* and *tachi* remained the primary weapons for large formations of *ashigaru* (foot soldiers).
Answer: False
During the Sengoku period, the *naginata* and *tachi* became less primary for large formations of *ashigaru*, who increasingly utilized spears (*yari*) and the newly introduced matchlock firearms.
The *tosei-gusoku* armor style, developed during the Sengoku period, represented a significant change by reducing parts and improving durability compared to earlier armor.
Answer: True
The *tosei-gusoku* armor style, emerging in the Sengoku period, signified a major evolution in design by reducing components and enhancing durability, marking a substantial shift from earlier armor types.
Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu were known as the 'three unifiers of Japan' for ending the Sengoku period.
Answer: True
Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu are historically recognized as the 'three unifiers of Japan' for their roles in concluding the Sengoku period.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Separation Edict of 1591 prohibited samurai from carrying weapons, effectively ending their military role.
Answer: False
Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Separation Edict of 1591 did not prohibit samurai from carrying weapons; rather, it codified the samurai caste by prohibiting non-samurai from carrying weapons, thus solidifying their distinct status.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea failed primarily due to Japanese naval superiority and effective Korean guerrilla actions.
Answer: False
Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea failed primarily due to Korean guerrilla actions and naval superiority, not Japanese naval superiority.
The Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 resulted in a victory for Ishida Mitsunari's Western Army, preventing the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Answer: False
The Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 resulted in a victory for Tokugawa Ieyasu's Eastern Army, which paved the way for the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Under the Tokugawa shogunate, the samurai class became hereditary, and most moved to castle towns, gradually losing their military function to take on bureaucratic roles.
Answer: True
During the Tokugawa shogunate, the samurai class became hereditary, many relocated to castle towns, and their military functions diminished as they transitioned into bureaucratic and administrative positions.
During the 250 years of peace under the Tokugawa shogunate, the samurai's military function increased significantly due to constant internal conflicts.
Answer: False
The 250 years of peace under the Tokugawa shogunate led to a significant *decrease* in the samurai's military function, not an increase, as internal conflicts were largely absent.
The introduction of firearms like the *Tanegashima* diminished the dominance of traditional samurai weapons like the sword and bow in large-scale battles.
Answer: True
The advent of firearms such as the *Tanegashima* significantly reduced the dominance of traditional weapons like the sword and bow in large-scale military engagements.
What innovation significantly changed battlefield tactics and equipment during the Sengoku period?
Answer: The introduction of the *Tanegashima* matchlock firearm.
The introduction of the *Tanegashima* matchlock firearm from Portugal significantly altered battlefield tactics and equipment during the Sengoku period.
What was the primary effect of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Separation Edict of 1591?
Answer: It codified the samurai caste as permanent and hereditary, prohibiting non-samurai from carrying weapons.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Separation Edict of 1591 primarily served to solidify the samurai caste by prohibiting non-samurai from bearing arms, thus making the caste permanent and hereditary.
Which factor contributed to the failure of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea?
Answer: Korean guerrilla actions and naval superiority under Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
The failure of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea was significantly influenced by Korean guerrilla actions and the superior naval tactics employed by Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
What was the historical significance of the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600?
Answer: It consolidated Tokugawa Ieyasu's power, paving the way for the Tokugawa shogunate.
The Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 was historically significant as it consolidated Tokugawa Ieyasu's power, thereby establishing the foundation for the Tokugawa shogunate.
How did the role of the samurai change under the Tokugawa shogunate?
Answer: They transitioned into bureaucratic and administrative roles due to the absence of warfare.
Under the Tokugawa shogunate, the samurai transitioned from military roles to bureaucratic and administrative positions due to the prolonged period of peace.
Japan's forced opening to foreign trade in 1853 by the United States was a key factor leading to the abolition of the samurai class.
Answer: True
The forced opening of Japan to foreign trade in 1853 by the United States prompted significant internal changes, including the modernization efforts that ultimately led to the abolition of the samurai class.
Modern firearms rendered the samurai's traditional weapons obsolete because peasant conscripts could not be trained to use firearms effectively.
Answer: False
Modern firearms rendered traditional samurai weapons obsolete precisely because peasant conscripts *could* be trained effectively to use firearms, undermining the samurai's unique military role.
Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival in 1853 forced Japan to open its borders, ending the *sakoku* policy and spurring modernization efforts.
Answer: True
Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival in 1853 compelled Japan to abandon its isolationist *sakoku* policy, opening its borders and initiating a period of rapid modernization.
Modern rifles imported by Japan were less reliable in wet weather and required years of practice to master compared to traditional matchlock muskets.
Answer: False
Modern rifles were generally more reliable, especially in wet weather, and required less practice to master compared to traditional matchlock muskets.
The Meiji government favored commoners over samurai for its new armies because commoners were more submissive and easier to replace.
Answer: True
The Meiji government favored commoners for its new armies due to their perceived submissiveness, lack of prior military preconceptions, and ease of replacement, facilitating the creation of a national military force.
During the Meiji era, the *shizoku* classification was introduced for lower-ranking samurai, while *sotsuzoku* was for high-ranking ones.
Answer: False
During the Meiji era, *shizoku* was the classification for high-ranking samurai, while *sotsuzoku* was for lower-ranking ones, a distinction that was later adjusted.
The Satsuma Rebellion in 1877 was led by Saigo Takamori, protesting the Meiji reforms that rendered the samurai class obsolete.
Answer: True
The Satsuma Rebellion of 1877, led by Saigo Takamori, was a protest against the Meiji reforms that effectively made the samurai class obsolete and stripped them of their privileges.
The imperial army, composed mainly of commoners with modern weapons, defeated the rebel samurai in the Satsuma Rebellion.
Answer: True
The imperial army, largely comprised of commoners equipped with modern weaponry, successfully defeated the rebel samurai forces during the Satsuma Rebellion.
Which factor was a primary cause for the abolition of the samurai class in the late 1870s?
Answer: Japan's industrialization and the obsolescence of traditional warrior skills due to modern firearms.
Japan's industrialization and the adoption of modern firearms rendered the samurai's traditional skills obsolete, leading to the abolition of their class.
What was the immediate impact of Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival in 1853 on Japan?
Answer: Japan was forced to open its borders to foreign trade, ending the *sakoku* policy.
Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival in 1853 compelled Japan to end its *sakoku* policy and open its borders to foreign trade.
Which statement accurately contrasts modern rifles with traditional matchlock muskets used by samurai?
Answer: Modern rifles featured breech-loading mechanisms and rifled barrels for better accuracy.
Modern rifles were characterized by features such as breech-loading mechanisms and rifled barrels, which provided superior accuracy and reliability compared to traditional matchlock muskets.
Why did the Meiji government favor commoners over samurai when rebuilding its armies?
Answer: Commoners were seen as more submissive, lacking prior military preconceptions, and easier to replace.
The Meiji government favored commoners for its new armies because they were perceived as more submissive, less encumbered by prior military traditions, and more readily replaceable.
What primarily fueled the Satsuma Rebellion led by Saigo Takamori in 1877?
Answer: Discontent over the loss of samurai privileges and the perceived obsolescence of their class due to Meiji reforms.
The Satsuma Rebellion was primarily fueled by samurai discontent stemming from the loss of their privileges and the perceived obsolescence of their class resulting from the Meiji reforms.
Samurai were members of Japan's warrior class who served feudal lords, existing from the late 12th century until their abolition in the late 1870s during the Meiji era.
Answer: True
The definition provided accurately describes the samurai class, their service to feudal lords, and their historical period of existence from the late 12th century until their abolition in the late 1870s during the Meiji era.
Initially, samurai referred to high-ranking military commanders, but by the 12th century, the term shifted to mean 'domestic servant'.
Answer: False
The term 'samurai' initially referred to domestic servants, and it was only by the 12th century that it acquired military connotations, evolving to mean retainers or warriors, not shifting to 'domestic servant' in meaning.
Zen Buddhism spread among samurai in the 13th century, helping them overcome the fear of death and improve their mental discipline.
Answer: True
Zen Buddhism became influential among samurai in the 13th century, contributing to their mental discipline and their ability to confront the fear of death.
The *kiri-sute gomen* right allowed samurai to strike down any commoner who disrespected them, and this right remained widely exercised throughout the Tokugawa era.
Answer: False
While the *kiri-sute gomen* right existed, its widespread exercise throughout the Tokugawa era is uncertain, and by its end, samurai had become more like bureaucrats, suggesting the right became more symbolic than practical.
Pederasty was condemned by Jesuit missionaries in Japan, hindering the conversion of the ruling elite to Christianity.
Answer: True
Jesuit missionaries condemned the practice of pederasty prevalent in samurai culture, which indeed created obstacles to the conversion of Japan's ruling elite to Christianity.
A samurai's rank was primarily determined by their personal combat skill, regardless of their lord or stipend.
Answer: False
A samurai's rank was determined by a combination of factors, including the status of their lord and the size of their stipend, not solely by personal combat skill.
Confucianism stressed the importance of loyalty and the lord-retainer relationship, while Zen meditation helped samurai overcome the fear of death.
Answer: True
Confucianism emphasized loyalty and the lord-retainer bond, while Zen meditation provided samurai with tools to manage the fear of death and enhance mental discipline.
During the Sengoku period, cultural pursuits like *waka* poetry and the tea ceremony were primarily solitary activities for samurai, lacking social or political significance.
Answer: False
During the Sengoku period, cultural pursuits such as the tea ceremony and *waka* poetry were not solitary but served as important social and political venues for samurai.
By the end of the Tokugawa period, nearly all women of the samurai class were literate.
Answer: True
Educational opportunities expanded during the Tokugawa period, leading to a high level of literacy among samurai women by its conclusion.
Samurai typically used their private *nanori* (adult name) for public address and official documents.
Answer: False
The *nanori* was a private name given at the coming-of-age ceremony; samurai typically used their family name and title for public address and official documents.
Concubines in samurai families offered social status, and their sons could potentially inherit their father's position.
Answer: True
Concubines could indeed confer social status upon samurai families, and their sons were sometimes eligible to inherit their father's position, impacting family finances and standing.
The primary duty of women in samurai families was managing the household and defending it if necessary, often being trained in martial arts.
Answer: True
Women in samurai families were primarily responsible for household management and were often trained in martial arts to defend their homes when necessary.
Director Akira Kurosawa's samurai films significantly influenced Western filmmaking, inspiring works like *Star Wars*.
Answer: True
Akira Kurosawa's samurai films had a profound impact on Western cinema, notably inspiring influential productions such as *Star Wars*.
*Bushido*, the 'way of the warrior', primarily focused on artistic pursuits and diplomacy, with little emphasis on martial virtues.
Answer: False
*Bushido*, the 'way of the warrior', fundamentally emphasized martial virtues such as loyalty, courage, and self-discipline, rather than primarily focusing on artistic pursuits or diplomacy.
What were samurai in Japan?
Answer: Members of Japan's warrior class who served feudal lords.
Samurai constituted Japan's warrior class, serving feudal lords and playing a pivotal role in the nation's history.
How did Zen Buddhism influence samurai in the 13th century?
Answer: It helped them overcome the fear of death and killing, improving mental discipline.
Zen Buddhism influenced samurai by aiding them in overcoming the fear of death and killing, thereby enhancing their mental discipline.
Which philosophy stressed the importance of loyalty and the lord-retainer relationship in shaping samurai culture?
Answer: Confucianism
Confucianism was the philosophy that most strongly emphasized the importance of loyalty and the lord-retainer relationship within samurai culture.
During the Sengoku period, what was a common cultural pursuit among aristocratic samurai that also served as a venue for political discussion?
Answer: Participating in the tea ceremony
The tea ceremony was a common cultural pursuit among aristocratic samurai during the Sengoku period, often serving as a venue for political discussions.
What skills were samurai women often trained in to fulfill their household duties, including defense?
Answer: Martial arts like wielding the *naginata* or *kaiken*
Samurai women were frequently trained in martial arts, such as using the *naginata* or *kaiken*, to manage households and provide defense when necessary.
Which texts are mentioned as contributing to the development and philosophical underpinnings of *Bushido*?
Answer: *Hagakure* and *Gorin no Sho*
Texts such as *Hagakure* and *Gorin no Sho* are cited as significant contributors to the development and philosophical foundation of *Bushido*.
What was the purpose of the *nanori* in a samurai's name?
Answer: It was a private name given at the coming-of-age ceremony.
The *nanori* served as a private name bestowed upon an individual during their coming-of-age ceremony.
What advantage could concubines offer to samurai families?
Answer: Their sons could inherit the father's position, benefiting the family's finances and social standing.
Concubines could offer advantages to samurai families, notably through their sons potentially inheriting the father's position, which could enhance the family's financial and social standing.
How did samurai culture influence popular culture, particularly in film and literature?
Answer: Director Akira Kurosawa's samurai films inspired works like *Star Wars* and *The Magnificent Seven*.
Samurai culture significantly influenced popular culture, with director Akira Kurosawa's films notably inspiring Western cinematic works such as *Star Wars* and *The Magnificent Seven*.