CHAPTER 17—JAPAN BEFORE 1333
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The earliest distinct culture to develop in Japan was ____.
a.
Nara
b.
Late Heian
c.
Yayoi
d.
Jomon
2. In the Yayoi period there was increased interaction with ____ and ____.
a.
China and India
b.
China and Korea
c.
Korea and India
d.
India and Tibet
3. The tumuli of the Kofun recall the earlier burial mounds of the Jomon and their funeral practices.
Which of the following could describe this Jomon practice?
a.
placing the dead in haniwa containers
b.
placing the dead in ceramic palace-shaped sarcophagi
c.
placing the dead on stone biers
d.
placing the dead on sacred mountains
4. Although the Kofun tombs contained many grave objects, including bronze mirrors from China, it is
thought, based on the tomb’s form and many of the grave goods, the tombs show a closer relationship
with which country?
a.
India
b.
Korea
c.
China
d.
Tibet
5. Who is the deity associated with the Ise Shrine?
a.
Buddha
b.
Shaka
c.
Amaterasu
d.
Vishnu
6. The central figure from the Shaka triad is the historical Buddha; he is presented in a trans historical
guise. Which of the following phrases supports this statement?
a.
presented as having achieved a higher state of being
b.
presented as a portrait in the Western sense of the term
c.
presented as a deity in the Shinto tradition
d.
presented as a metaphor for imperial power
7. According to the traditional interpretation, the Korean ruler of Paekche sent to the ruler of Japan a
gilded bronze statue of Buddha and Buddhist scriptures, sutras. What period marks this event?
a.
Early Nara
b.
Late Heian
c.
Asuka
d.
Kamakura
8. The Ise Shrine is ritually rebuilt every ____.
a.
fifty years
b.
century
c.
millennia
d.
twenty years
9. “Buddhist architecture in Japan adhered closely to mainland standards.” Why is this statement
significant?
a.
because the Japanese used only mainland architects
b.
because mainland temple architecture was too experimental for the Japanese
c.
because Japanese temples greatly assisted in the reconstruction of mainland temples
d.
because the mainland would only export ready-made temple packages
10. More direct relations and influences with China shortened the time lag between developments in China
that subsequently transferred to Japan. This occurred during which of the following periods?
a.
Yayoi
b.
Jomon
c.
Nara
d.
Kamakura
11. The Tale of Genji supports the notion of the significant role played by which of the following in
developing the painting style as seen in this scroll?
a.
court gentlemen
b.
court ladies
c.
Kamakura Shogunate
d.
Chinese Tang painters
12. A catastrophic fire occurred in 1949 and destroyed which of the following.
a.
interior walls of the Phoenix Hall, Byodoin
b.
the Phoenix Hall, Byodoin
c.
the Golden Hall, Horyuji
d.
interior walls of the Golden Hall, Horyuji
13. The commissioning of the Todaiji and its Great Buddha was an imperial attempt to unify and
strengthen the country and imperial power. How was this attempt made?
a.
By utilizing Kamakura Shogunate to reinforce imperial power
b.
By utilizing Tang China allies to reinforce imperial power
c.
By utilizing religious authority to reinforce imperial power
d.
By utilizing shrewd alliances through marriage to reinforce imperial power
14. The treasures found in this temple serve today as significant holdings in eighth century pan-Asian
culture. Many of the sculptures were inspired by the finest Tang Chinese art forms. Which of the
following is that temple?
a.
Golden Hall, Horyuji
b.
Phoenix Hall, Byodoin
c.
Daibutsuden
d.
Todaiji
15. The Phoenix Hall, Byodoin, with its light exterior pillars, elevated wings, and reflective pond, is a
physical metaphor for which of the following?
a.
Buddha’s celestial palace in the Pure Land
b.
Kamakura imperial power
c.
Fujiwara clan
d.
Buddha’s Parinirvana
16. How does the Tale of Genji differ from its Chinese prototypes such as Gu Kaizhi’s Admonitions scroll?
a.
it focuses on lessons in exemplary behaviors
b.
it focuses on imperial court etiquette as it relates to the Empress
c.
it focuses on emotionally charged personal relationships
d.
it focuses on diplomatic relations between China and Japan
17. Which of the following were among the earliest Japanese artifacts?
a.
Jomon ceramics.
b.
Nara lacquer figures.
c.
Asuka Buddhist statues.
d.
copies of Chinese objects.
18. In 552 CE, the ruler of a Korean kingdom sent a gift to Japan that was to have a profound influence on
the culture and the art of the country. Which of the following was that gift?
a.
a copy of the Upanishads
b.
a gilt-bronze figure of the Buddha
c.
a figure of the dancing Siva
d.
a producing silk worm
19. During the Kamakura period, there was more frequent and positive contact with China. Which of the
following developments was brought to Japan as a result of this contact?
a.
Tendai Sect of Esoteric Buddhism
b.
Shingon Sect of Esoteric Buddhism
c.
Dug-pa Sect of the Kargyut-pa School
d.
Zen Buddhism
20. The Kondo or Golden Hall of the Horyuji illustrates the sturdy but graceful lines of early Japanese
temple architecture. Which of the following did the Japanese builders base on Chinese models and
follow for the Golden Hall?
a.
wood as the primary source for the roofing material
b.
thatch as the primary source for the roofing material
c.
ceramic tile as the primary source for the roofing material
d.
marble as the primary source for the roofing material
21. The Legends of Mount Shigi represents a different facet of narrative handscroll painting. It belongs to
which of the following genres?
a.
pious Buddhist tales
b.
lascivious court tales
c.
journals of Japanese travelers to China
d.
historical accounts of Nara court members
22. Paintings and sculptures of the Amida Buddha descending with a retinue to greet his followers were
popular with members of which of the following sects?
a.
Esoteric sects
b.
Maitreya sects
c.
Paradise sects
d.
Hinayana sects
23. The standard form for the central mound of tumuli during the Kofun period is which of the following?
a.
keyhole
b.
beehive
c.
wedge-shaped
d.
triangular
24. During the Yayoi period, villages grew in size and developed fortifications; however the people
continued to live in which of the following?
a.
haniwa houses
b.
mud huts
c.
pit dwellings
d.
stone houses
25. Jomon culture was the first distinctly Japanese culture. Which of the following did it develop first?
a.
bronze-casting
b.
Yamato-e painting
c.
agriculture
d.
ceramic technology
26. The sculptor who created the Shaka triad for the Horyuji Kondo was ____.
a.
Tori Busshi
b.
Shunjobo Chogen
c.
Lady Murasaki
d.
Fujiwara Yorimichi
27. Hiragana script became the primary script for court poetry during the Heian period. Originally this
script served the needs of which of the following?
a.
women of the court
b.
court officials
c.
courtesans
d.
samurai
28. In the Tale of Genji, the metaphor, which came to mean fading life and love and the season of autumn,
is which of the following?
a.
chrysanthemums
b.
peonies
c.
cherry blossoms
d.
bush-clover
29. In Japanese sacred architecture, pagodas served as which of the following?
a.
shrines
b.
temples
c.
a house for reliquaries
d.
schools
SLIDE IDENTIFICATION
Select the response that identifies or corresponds best to the image on the screen.
30. (Figure 17-16)
a.
Kamakura
b.
Nara
c.
Early Heian
d.
Asuka
31. (Figure 17-7)
a.
Shunjobo Chogen
b.
Standing Yakushi
c.
Tori Busshi
d.
Amida Buddha
32. (Figure 17-14)
a.
Legends of Mount Shigi
b.
Taizokai (Womb World)
c.
Tale of Genji
d.
jataka
33. (Figure 17-2)
a.
Jomon
b.
Heian
c.
Kamakura
d.
Kofun
34. (Figure 17-6)
a.
Katsura Palace
b.
Ise Shrine
c.
Phoenix Hall, Byodoin Temple
d.
Kondo (Golden Hall), Horyuji
35. (Figure 17-7)
a.
Amida Triad
b.
Shaka Triad
c.
Genji Triad
d.
Yakushi Triad
36. (Figure 17-18)
a.
Night Attack on Sanjo Palace
b.
Legends of Mount Shigi
c.
Tale of Genji
d.
Taizokai (Womb World)
37. (Figure 17-9)
a.
Jomon
b.
Asuka
c.
Kamakura
d.
Early Nara
38. (Figure 17-14)
a.
Late Heian
b.
Early Nara
c.
Kamakura
d.
Yayoi
39. (Figure 17-5)
a.
Kofun
b.
Yayoi
c.
Jomon
d.
Asuka
40. (Figure 17-2)
a.
bronze
b.
wood
c.
clay
d.
lacquer
41. (Figure 17-7)
a.
Kondo, Yakushiji
b.
Ise Shrine
c.
Phoenix Hall, Byodoin
d.
Kondo, Horyuji
42. (Figure 17-11)
a.
Asuka
b.
Nara
c.
Kamakura
d.
Heian
43. (Figure 17-13)
a.
Nara
b.
Late Heian
c.
Kamakura
d.
Jomon
44. (Figure 17-3)
a.
Jomon
b.
Kofun
c.
Yayoi
d.
Haniwa
45. (Figure 17-12)
a.
handscroll
b.
screen
c.
woodcut
d.
hanging scroll
46. (Figure 17-8)
a.
Yakushi Triad
b.
Amida Triad
c.
Shaka Triad
d.
Tachibana Triad
47. (Figure 17-3)
a.
clay
b.
bronze
c.
wood
d.
lacquer
48. (Figure 17-5)
a.
Emperor Nintoku
b.
Shunjobo Chogen
c.
haniwa
d.
dotaku
49. (Figure 17-15)
a.
Legends of Mount Shigi
b.
Tale of Genji
c.
Night Attack on Sanjo Palace
d.
Taizokai (Womb World)
50. (Figure 17-13A)
a.
Kamakura
b.
Heian
c.
Asuka
d.
Nara
51. (Figure 17-17A)
a.
brass
b.
bronze
c.
gilded wood
d.
painted wood
52. (Figure 17-13A)
a.
Ishiyama-gojo
b.
Tale of Genji
c.
Ishiyama-gire
d.
Benda-ho
53. (Figure 17-17)
a.
Fujiwara
b.
Unkei
c.
Kosho
d.
Jocho
SHORT ANSWER
1. Briefly describe the early years after Buddhism was introduced into Japanese society.
2. Briefly explain the Shinto religion.
3. How did haniwa figures function as grave offerings during the Kofun period?
4. Who was Tori Busshi? What was his role in art history?
5. Explain the importance of the excavations of Emperor Nintoku’s tumulus mound.
6. Describe the construction material and method of the Ise Shrine.
7. Explain the influence Tang China had on Japanese art during the Nara period.
8. Describe Shingon Buddhism and how it impacted Japan and Japanese art.
9. What is the Taizokai (Womb World) and how does it reflect Shingon Buddhism?
10. How does the Phoenix Hall, Byodoin reflect Pure Land Buddhism?
11. How did the rebuilding of Nara represent an opportunity for experimentation in Japanese art?
12. What is the Kei School?
13. How did Japanese clans and kami interact during the Kofun period?
14. Briefly evaluate the Fujiwara contribution to Late Heian art and culture.
15. Briefly describe the Japanese workshop system.
ESSAY
1. Describe the sacred architecture of Japan. Consider outside influences, and explain changes from
original designs and construction. Use examples to support your essay.
2. Describe the innovations in technique and composition found in the Tale of Genji. Consider the
Japanese imperial court at this time. How did the court influence this work?
3. Compare and contrast the Nara and Heian periods. Include outside influences. How did these
influences change Japanese art and society during these periods? Consider the importation of
Buddhism as a religion. How did this new philosophy and religion re-shape Japanese esoteric thought
and art? Use examples to support your essay.
4. Describe Chinese influences on Japanese art and society. Discuss significant changes in Japanese art
and architecture. Use examples to support your essay.
5. Describe the differences in style between the Shaka Triad and the Yakushi Triad. Include possible
outside sources of influence.
6. Describe the Kamakura period. How did it impact Japanese art and society? Use examples to support
your essay.
7. Compare and contrast the sculpture of the Nara period with the sculpture of the Kamakura period.
What changes occurred? Include in your discussion outside influences. Use examples to support your
essay.
8. Describe the patronage system in the Early Heian and Kamakura periods. How did these systems
shape Japanese art and architecture? Use examples to support your essay.
9. Explain the role women played in the development of painting during the Heian period. Use examples
to support your essay.
OTHER
SLIDE QUESTIONS
1. Contrast these two images, how are they different, and how are they alike?
2. Compare these two sacred buildings, what is the individual function of each, and how are they alike?
3. How do these two images differ?
4. How do these two images reflect Buddhism as practiced in Japanese society during the Heian period?
5. What makes these two images significantly different?
6. Contrast these images. How do they address “the story” and the reality of telling a story in scroll
format?
7. What do these images depict, which is earlier, and what are its influences?
8. How do these images reflect their respective periods, and what do they say about their societies as
well?
9. How do these buildings reflect imperial power and government?
10. What is this building? What are the features that demonstrate Chinese architectural styles and
influences?
