Medieval China and Japan Flashcards

Grade 6 · Social Studies · Flashcards

Key terms and concepts from the civilizations of medieval China and Japan.

Flashcards

Tang Dynasty: Chinese dynasty (618–907 CE) that expanded the Silk Road and is called a golden age of Chinese culture.
Song Dynasty: Chinese dynasty (960–1279 CE) known for printing, porcelain, and commercial growth.
Silk Road: Ancient trade network connecting China to Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Shogun: Military leader who held real governing power in feudal Japan.
Emperor (Japan): The ceremonial head of Japan; held symbolic power while the shogun governed.
Daimyo: Feudal lords in Japan who owned land and commanded samurai warriors.
Samurai: Japanese warrior class who served daimyo under the code of Bushido.
Bushido: The samurai code of honor emphasizing loyalty, bravery, and self-discipline.
Zen Buddhism: A form of Buddhism emphasizing meditation that spread from China to Japan.
Gunpowder: An explosive mixture invented in China during the Tang Dynasty with major military applications.
Feudalism: A system of governance where lords grant land to vassals in exchange for military loyalty.
Compass: A navigation tool invented in China that helped sailors determine direction.
Printing (woodblock): Technology developed in China that allowed text to be reproduced on paper quickly.
Porcelain: High-quality ceramic ware produced in China and traded across the world; also called 'china'.