Introduction
The influence of China on Japanese civilization is an apt example of the spread of key elements of a civilization to its neighbouring regions. China has influenced the development of Japanese Civilization in multiple ways. The history dates back to around A.D. 400 when the two nations began to have contact (Turkington). While Chinese civilization had advanced considerably by then, Japan was in its nascent stages of development. Japanese were quite impressed by the Chinese and adopted several social, political and regional characteristics from them. The interactions between China and Japan, that led to transfer of characteristics of the former to the latter, were through merchants, monks and Japanese students in China.
Social Influences
The society of Japan has incorporated several elements of the Chinese way of living. Stearns (2000) explains that the use of new patterns of cultivation, irrigation system and handicrafts, that enhanced Japan’s economy, was inspired by China. The Japanese society also adopted the writing system or calligraphy of China and beautifully synchronised it with their vocal spoken language.
Chinese influence is also apparent in Japanese art and architecture. Japanese originally had peaked roofs and use of curved roofs seems to be an adoption from China. According to Stearns (2000), the early form of Chinese architecture is present in Japanese temples and monasteries even today. The art of paper making in Japan is another example of Chinese influence on Japan.
Religious Influences
The Chinese brought Buddhism to Japan. The religious beliefs and cultural beliefs of Buddhism were intermixed with the traditional beliefs and worshipping. Shintoism is the term used for the set of religious belief and rituals formed in ancient Japan as a result of blending of two cultures.
Influence on System of Government
With the establishment of Chinese and Japanese courts in A.D. 607, diplomatic dignitaries visited China frequently and adopted elements of its system of governance (Stanford.edu, 1990). The creation of a strong government in Japan, its legal structure and method of organization of courts are quite similar to China. City planning in Japan is also influenced by China.
References
Stanford.edu (1990). Religion in Japan and a Look at Cultural Transmission. Retrieved from http://spice.stanford.edu/publications/10087/
Stearns, Peter N. (2000). The Spread of Chinese Civilization to Japan. Retrieved from http://history-world.org/Chinese%20Civilization%20To%20Japan.htm
Turkington, David (n.d.). A Chronology of Japanese History. Retrieved from http://www.shikokuhenrotrail.com/japanhistory/AChronologyOfJapaneseHistory_v1.pdf
