1.1 - Developments in East Asia

• How Song rulers maintained and justified their power


  1. Carried over a Revival of Confucianism

  2. Increasing use of an imperial bureaucracy
• Confucianism


  Official Chinese state philosophy, taught that human society was hierarchical by nature
• Filial piety


  Practice of honoring one's ancestors and parents
• Neo-Confucianism


  Revival of Confucianism with influence from Buddhist and Taoist philosophical ideas
• Neo-Confucianism demonstrates historical continuity between ancient China and the Song period, but also illustrates innovation
• Women in Song China under Confucianism


  • Legal rights restricted
  • Property became husband's
  • Forbidden to remarry if widowed or divorced
  • Practice of foot binding prevalent among elite
• Imperial bureaucracy


  Governmental entity that carries out the will of the emperor, staffed through civil service examinations based on Confucian classics
• Cultural influence of Song China on other states


  • Korea
  • Japan
  • Vietnam
• Tributary relationship


  Korean officials visiting Song court to acknowledge China's power and pay tribute
• Japan adopted Chinese cultural traits voluntarily, not due to threat of invasion
• Vietnam adopted 


  Confucianism

  Buddhism

  Chinese literary techniques

  Civil service examination system

  Women not as marginalized
• Buddhism


  Belief system originated in South Asia, with features like Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, Karma and rebirth
• Theravada Buddhism


  Original form of Buddhism, restricted mainly to monks
• Mahayana Buddhism


  Emphasized Buddhist teachings were available to all, and emphasized compassion
• Tibetan Buddhism


  Emphasized more mystical practices like lying prostrate and elaborate imaginings of deity
• Chan Buddhism


  Chinese distinct version of Buddhism
• Factors contributing to Song economic prosperity


  1. Widespread commercialization of the economy

  2. Expansion of iron and steel production

  3. Agricultural innovations like Champa rice

  4. Transportation innovations like the Grand Canal and improved ship design
• Champa rice was drought resistant and could be harvested twice a year, leading to population explosion
• Perfection of the magnetic compass and new ship building techniques facilitated increased sea trade and economic prosperity