Draw Conclusions from the Evidence for Thinking through Sources 8

Instructions

This exercise asks you to assess the relationship between conclusions and evidence. Identify which of the following conclusions are supported by the specific piece of evidence. Click yes for those pieces of evidence that support the conclusion and no for those that do not.

Conclusion A

Japan borrowed significantly from Chinese cultural traditions.

  1. Question 8.36

    Evidence 1: “15. To turn away from that which is private, and to set our faces toward that which is public — this is the path of a Minister.” — Shotoku (Source 8.1)

    Evidence 1: “15. To turn away from that which is private, and to set our faces toward that which is public — this is the path of a Minister.” — Shotoku (Source 8.1)

    A.
    B.

  2. Question 8.37

    Evidence 2: “[W]omen at Court do not spend their time hiding modestly behind fans and screens, but walk about, looking openly at people they chance to meet. Yes, they see everyone face to face, not only ladies-in-waiting like themselves, but even Their Imperial Majesties (whose august names I hardly dare mention), High Court Nobles, senior courtiers, and other gentlemen of high rank.” — Sei Shonagon (Source 8.3)

    Evidence 2: “[W]omen at Court do not spend their time hiding modestly behind fans and screens, but walk about, looking openly at people they chance to meet. Yes, they see everyone face to face, not only ladies-in-waiting like themselves, but even Their Imperial Majesties (whose august names I hardly dare mention), High Court Nobles, senior courtiers, and other gentlemen of high rank.” — Sei Shonagon (Source 8.3)

    A.
    B.

  3. Question 8.38

    Evidence 3: “Even if your parents may be stupid, if you obey their instructions, at least you won’t be violating the principle of nature. . . . You should emulate even a bad parent rather than a good stranger; that’s how a family culture is transmitted and comes to be known as a person’s legacy.” — Shiba Yoshimasa (Source 8.5A)

    Evidence 3: “Even if your parents may be stupid, if you obey their instructions, at least you won’t be violating the principle of nature. . . . You should emulate even a bad parent rather than a good stranger; that’s how a family culture is transmitted and comes to be known as a person’s legacy.” — Shiba Yoshimasa (Source 8.5A)

    A.
    B.

  4. Question 8.39

    Evidence 4: Kojima Takanori writing a poem as depicted in Source 8.6: Samurai and the “arts of peace.”

    Evidence 4: Kojima Takanori writing a poem as depicted in Source 8.6: Samurai and the “arts of peace.”

    A.
    B.

Conclusion B

Japanese culture possessed distinct differences from Chinese culture.

  1. Question 8.40

    Evidence 1: “Because our Great Goddess is the spirit of the sun, she illuminates with a bright virtue which is incomprehensible in all its aspects but dependable alike in the realm of the visible and invisible. All sovereigns and ministers have inherited the bright seeds of the divine light, or they are descendants of the deities who received personal instruction from the Great Goddess.” — Kitabatake Chikafusa (Source 8.2)

    Evidence 1: “Because our Great Goddess is the spirit of the sun, she illuminates with a bright virtue which is incomprehensible in all its aspects but dependable alike in the realm of the visible and invisible. All sovereigns and ministers have inherited the bright seeds of the divine light, or they are descendants of the deities who received personal instruction from the Great Goddess.” — Kitabatake Chikafusa (Source 8.2)

    A.
    B.

  2. Question 8.41

    Evidence 2: The depiction of Su Dongpo in the straw hat and wooden shoes of a peasant in Source 8.4.

    Evidence 2: The depiction of Su Dongpo in the straw hat and wooden shoes of a peasant in Source 8.4.

    A.
    B.

  3. Question 8.42

    Evidence 3: “As you do not understand the Arts of Peace your skill in the Arts of War will not, in the end, achieve victory.” — The Imagawa Letter (Source 8.5B)

    Evidence 3: “As you do not understand the Arts of Peace your skill in the Arts of War will not, in the end, achieve victory.” — The Imagawa Letter (Source 8.5B)

    A.
    B.

  4. Question 8.43

    Evidence 4: “Even if one doesn’t perform any religious exercises and never makes a visit to a shrine, neither deities nor buddhas will disregard a person whose mind is honest and compassionate. In particular, the Great Goddess of Ise, the great bodhisattva Hachiman, and the deity of Kitano will dwell in the heads of people whose minds are honest, clean, and good.” — Shiba Yoshimasa (Source 8.5A)

    Evidence 4: “Even if one doesn’t perform any religious exercises and never makes a visit to a shrine, neither deities nor buddhas will disregard a person whose mind is honest and compassionate. In particular, the Great Goddess of Ise, the great bodhisattva Hachiman, and the deity of Kitano will dwell in the heads of people whose minds are honest, clean, and good.” — Shiba Yoshimasa (Source 8.5A)

    A.
    B.