China and the World, East Asian Connections, 500

Chapter 8: Considering the Evidence Documents Quiz

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1. Which passage from The Seventeen Article Constitution (Document 8.1) reflects the influence of Chinese Legalist thought on Japanese government?

"Give clear appreciation to merit and demerit and deal out to each its sure award or punishment."

"Sincerely reverence the three treasures … the Buddha, the Law [teachings], and the Priesthood."

"Decisions on important matters should not be made by one person alone. They should be discussed with many."

"Let us cease from wrath, and refrain from angry looks."

Correct. The answer is a. Rewards for good behavior and harsh punishment for poor behavior provided the foundation for Legalist rule.

Incorrect. The answer is a. Rewards for good behavior and harsh punishment for poor behavior provided the foundation for Legalist rule.

Question

2. Who is Amaterasu in Kitabatake The Chronicle of the Direct Descent of Gods and Sovereigns (Document 8.2)?

The future emperor who will unite Japan under his rule

The Chinese emperor whose younger son became the first emperor of Japan

A sun goddess

The first empress of Japan

Correct. The answer is c. Amaterasu was the Sun Goddess which the Kitabatake family directly descended from.

Incorrect. The answer is c. Amaterasu was the Sun Goddess which the Kitabatake family directly descended from.

Question

3. In what way does Sei Shonago's Pillow Book (Document 8.3) challenge Confucian teachings?

She admires the habits and dress of common people.

She heaps scorn on women who live at home and faithfully serve their husbands.

She argues that men whose families have destined them for the priesthood should obey their parent's wishes regardless of their personal happiness.

She rejects the idea that those who live at the imperial court are distinct from nobles more generally.

Correct. The answer is b She also expresses pride toward immodest behavior of court women and refers to illicit affairs between men and women without condemning them.

Incorrect. The answer is b She also expresses pride toward immodest behavior of court women and refers to illicit affairs between men and women without condemning them.

Question

4. How do the two documents that constitute The Way of the Warrior (Document 8.4) reconcile the peaceful emphasis of Buddhist and Confucian teachings with the military dimension of the bushido?

They emphasize that samurai are exempt from such teachings if their wives remain peaceful and ritually pure.

They argue that a warrior can ignore Buddhist and Confucian teachings in this life and make up for their sins in the afterlife.

They emphasize that ritual purification before a violent act exempts samurai from the consequences of such actions.

They emphasize that violence and taking life if done for a noble cause is sometimes necessary.

Correct. The answer is d. If the violence was conducted for personal gain it was unjustifiable, but if was done for a noble cause, such as the needs of the sovereign, it was noble and sometimes necessary.

Incorrect. The answer is d. If the violence was conducted for personal gain it was unjustifiable, but if was done for a noble cause, such as the needs of the sovereign, it was noble and sometimes necessary.

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5. What does Ryoshun mean when he writes in The Imagawa Letter (Document 8.4) that his son does not understand the "Arts of Peace"?

That he lacks literary skills including poetry, history, philosophy, and ritual.

That he desires perpetual war and rejects all offers of peace.

That he lacks skills in political negotiation to match his martial skills.

That he, like all good samurai, trains for war not peace.

Correct. The answer is a. Bushido required that the samurai be trained in both the 'Arts of War' and the 'Arts of Peace'.

Incorrect. The answer is a. Bushido required that the samurai be trained in both the 'Arts of War' and the 'Arts of Peace'.

Chapter 8: Considering the Evidence Documents Quiz

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