History 0400

Sample Midterm Essay

What were important similarities and differences between these Chinese and Japanese societies in the year 1000?  Why do you think these similarities and differences existed?  Include geographic, political, economic, and religious considerations in your answer.  Be specific and use the appropriate terms that you have learned to support your ideas.

Because of their interactions with one another, the societies of China and Japan shared many similarities, but, being separate countries and separate cultures, there were many distinct differences between China and Japan as well.

The period of Heian Japan coincided with that of the Song Dynasty in China.  In the time of Heian Japan, the Fujiwara clan was the main controlling power.  They maintained this control through the intermarriage of daughters into the imperial family.  The emperor was merely a figurehead in those times, and consequently held little to no political power or influence.

The Fujiwara maintained their economic power and rich style of living through the operation of the shoen.  The shoen were parcels of land that were beyond the control of the government.  Because those people who held a high status of wealth or religious power were exempt from taxes on their land, those who were poorer or less powerful rented their land to the wealthier.  In this exchange, the common man was able to cultivate his land for less cost than he would through the payment of taxes.  Those who were of high status controlled the government, and therefore the government had no power or incentive to stop this practice.  Positions of high status were given to those who held great influence, wealth, or good looks rather to those who were intelligent and qualified.  As a result, the government of this time suffered a large loss in power.

In contrast to this, the Song Dynasty government was based on the examination system.  Those who were able and qualified were given positions of authority, and the government soon abdicated absolute power in favor of governing for the general public.  Less emphasis was placed on the prestige of the military, but because China’s location was surrounded by enemies, their armies remained well maintained and in high numbers.  They held over 300 years in defense of enemy advancement.

The economy of China flourished during the Song Dynasty.  Because of the need for metal works, China soon held an iron industry that was the most advanced in the world.  There were also many advancements in the areas of the agricultural market and the commercial market.

This was also a period for the arts in China and Japan.  The art of painting gained particular prestige.  In Japan the paintings were not Chinese, but native landscapes, like The Tale of Genji which were painted on scrolls and separated by lines of text.  Japanese artists studied for years under masters to learn their particular craft.

In China, painting was more spontaneous.  Works were generated in a flush of creativity, and those that did not succeed immediately were destroyed in favor of being worked on further.  Landscapes were also important here, and nature took center stage as the subjects of paintings, with the role of man becoming quite diminished.

In China, the ways and customs of Buddhism were widely accepted, but the Song Dynasty was a time when the new elite started a resurgence of Confucianism teachings.  Confucianism stressed the relationships of the family, particularly that of father to son, and encouraged learning and knowledge through the study of the past.  Government schools and public schools were soon established in Northern Song and after the loss of the Northern Song.

The Japanese preferred the teachings of Buddhism.  Founded by Gautama Siddhartha, Buddhism stressed the Four Noble Truths – life is suffering, suffering is caused by desire, eliminate suffering to eliminate desire, and the eight-fold path.  Only through the strict rules of poverty could one achieve the enlightened state of Nirvana.  During the Heian period, a new school of Buddhism was created by [Kukai].  This new school was [Tendai] filled with mysterious rites and secret rules practiced between teacher and students.  These mysteries appealed to the Japanese culture of the time, with its flair for mystery and pageantry.  Confucianism was less revered, and was placed second to the lowest on the steps of the ten stages of religious consciousness, which was written by [Kukai].

The societies of China and Japan were two distinct cultures.  Their interactions established both similarities and differences in all aspects of life that allowed them to form the societies that they are today.

Comments:  Although this was one of the best midterms in terms of organization and content, note that the second half of the question is missing.  “WHY do you think these similarities and differences existed?” I will grade the final exam much more strictly than this one, and will expect everyone to fully answer the question.