During the Kamakura period in medieval Japan, Zen Buddhism was introduced and gained widespread popularity. Zen Buddhism taught that anyone could reach enlightenment through perfect concentration and understanding of the religion. This influenced Japanese culture, where complete awareness and mindfulness became important values. The arts also flourished, including poetry, literature written by women, swordplay practiced by samurai, and the tea ceremony which was influenced by Chinese culture. China continued to have a strong influence on Japan, introducing Buddhism and impacting Japanese writing, religion, and classical works.

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East Asia – Medieval Japan
Created by: Lauren Bendesky

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Front of 1st
Postcard

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Back of 1st
Postcard
Dear Samantha,
After the emergence and increase in shogun, daimyo, and
samurai the Kamakura Period began, and new
innovations in the culture of Japan emerged. Zen
Buddhism began in Japan, which aimed its attention
mainly at one’s personal experiences. Zen Buddhism
taught its followers that anyone could reach
enlightenment if they tried to accomplish perfect
concentration and knowledge of the religion. This
religion began to have a giant impact on the culture
present in Japan. Complete awareness was the main part
of culture and arts in Japan. A type of Zen meditation
because practicing swordplay by samurai, and the tea
ceremony adopted from China became an art for those
practicing Zen Buddhism.
Your friend,
Lauren
Samantha Burn
10293 NW 25th
Street
Palm Beach, FL
33043

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Front of 2nd
Postcard

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Back of 2nd
Postcard
Dear Samantha,
The arts seem to play a huge role during this medieval
period in Japan. Specifically important to this thriving
in literature are women, who were able to learn to read
and write Japanese if in the aristocratic class. Women
who greatly contributed to Japanese literature include
Sei Shonagon and a lady known as “The Mother of
Michitsuna.” The literary works written during this time
are mostly about romance and courtly life. I was also
able to see a type of poetry, the indigenous Japanese
refer to as tanka, which is similar to the haiku in the
United States. It has a set form with a standard amount
of syllables composing each of the five to seven lines.
Your friend,
Lauren Bendesky
Samantha Burn
10293 NW 25th
Street
Palm Beach, FL
33043

6. + Physical Geography of Japan
Japan is a nation consisting of four main
and 2,456 smaller islands in the Pacific
Ocean. Its closest neighbor is Korea and
just east of China. Throughout the
medieval period, Japan switched between
isolating itself from its nearby neighbors
and allowing them to influence the society
of Japan. Therefore, the nearby countries
had an influence on the organization of
medieval Japanese society.

7. + Foreign Influence on Japan
Dating back to the fourth century, China has
been the controlling force in world trade
and economics. This caused China to have a
great influence on Japanese culture. The
upper-class Japanese very much wanted to
copy the ways of the Chinese and altered
their chosen religion to Buddhism. These
also learned the ideographic writing system
of China and adapted it for their language.
Lastly, they were able to learn Chinese and
read it and were largely affected by classical
Chinese works.

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Bibliography
“An Island Nation.” World History. Florida Virtual School, 2012.Web. 01 July 2013.
<http://learn.flvs.net/educator/student/frame.cgifriedline1*lbendesky1*mpos=1&spos=0&option=hi
demenu&slt=yvAFo1IYwDFxA*3784*http://learn.flvs.net/webdav/educator_world_v12/index.htm>.
“Chinese Influence: Politics and Religion.” World History. Florida Virtual School, 2012.Web. 01 July 2013.
<http://learn.flvs.net/educator/student/frame.cgifriedlie1*lbendesky1*mpos=1&spos=0&option=hid
emenu&slt=yvAFo1lYwDFxA*3784*http://learn.flvs.net/webdav/educator_world_v12/index.htm>.
“Culture During the Kamakura Period.” World History. Florida Virtual School, 2012.Web. 01 July 2013.
<http://learn.flvs.net/educator/student/frame.cgifriendline1*lbendesky1*mpos=1&spos=0&option=
hidemenu&slt=yvAFo1lYwDFxA*3784*http://learn.flvs.net/webdav/educator_world_v12/index.htm>.
Lady Murasaki Shikibu. Digital image. The Flourishing of the Arts. Florida Virtual School, 2013.Web. 1 July
2013.
http://learn.flvs.net/educator/student/frame.cgifriedline1*lbendesky1*mpos=1&spos=0&option=hid
emenu&slt=yvAFo1lYwDFxA*3784*http://learn.flvs.net/webdav/educator_world_v12/index.htm>.

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Bibliography
Medieval warriors on horses. Digital image. Medieval Japan. Medievaljapan.org, 2012.Web. 1 July 2013.
<http://medievaljapan.org>.
TheWhite Dove. Digital image. Zen Pictures – Zen BuddhismWallpapers. Sathyasaibaba.wordpress.com, 16
June 2010.Web. 1 July 2013. <http://sathyasaibaba.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/zen-pictures-zen-
buddhism-wallpapers/>.

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Bibliography
Medieval warriors on horses. Digital image. Medieval Japan. Medievaljapan.org, 2012.Web. 1 July 2013.
<http://medievaljapan.org>.
TheWhite Dove. Digital image. Zen Pictures – Zen BuddhismWallpapers. Sathyasaibaba.wordpress.com, 16
June 2010.Web. 1 July 2013. <http://sathyasaibaba.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/zen-pictures-zen-
buddhism-wallpapers/>.