Social Changes in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam in 0 C.E.-1400 C.E. During the Spread of Chinese Civilization

THESIS

1 BCE

During the period between 0 C.E. and 1400 C.E., Japan, Korea, and Vietnam were faced with significant changes in gender roles and the social hierarchy. However, Japan and Korea experienced some continuity in the fact that similar classes had begun to appear, such as serfs and the supreme class, in previous civilizations, and women struggled to be considered with the same respect and retain the same rights as men.

39 C.E. Vietnam

39

The Trung sisters led a rebellion against the Chinese, because they, along with other women, were opposed to Confucian codes and family systems that tried confining them to the household and subjecting them to male authority. This shows a change because women had rarely rebelled against male authority. This fits with the social theme because it exemplifies gender roles, as women challenge the men and their power.

646 C.E. Japan

Jan 1, 646

The resistance of the aristocratic families and the Buddhist monastic orders to the Taika Reforms caused them to dominate the emperor and capital, instead of the intended professional bureaucracy and peasant conscript army. This shows a change because the reforms were designed to match the bureaucracy and arm of Han/ Tang China, but did not succeed. This fits with the social theme because classes began to separate, as the aristocratic families and the Buddhist monastic orders rose up.

794- 857 C.E. (Heian Era) Japan

Jan 1, 794

Japanese emperors continued to live a world of luxury, as men and women of aristocratic classes followed strict codes of polite behavior, while under constant judgement of peers. Social status had become important to the people, as well as love affairs and gossip. This shows change because energy focused this much on the pursuit of beauty or social interaction was rare. This fits with the social theme because it displays how the top classes (emperors) and aristocratic class had acted.

794- 857 C.E. (Heian Era) Japan

Jan 1, 794

At Heian court, women were held to the same expectations as men, for poise and culture. Women wrote poems, played string instruments, and participated in the Japanese productions. This shows continuity because their counterparts in China and the Islamic world were also involved in palace intrigues and power struggles. This fits with the social theme because there was less discrimination against women and the genders had, for a short period of time, the same conjectures.

918- 1392 C.E. (Koryo Dynasty) Korea

Jan 1, 918

Much of the Chinese and Japanese trade with Korea was devoted to treating the aristocrats with many luxury goods. Aristocrats were the only people with power or contribution in society; everyone in social classes underneath them was oriented to their service. This shows continuity because there continued to be one superior class that held most of the power in society. This fits with the social theme because the social hierarchy fell underneath the aristocrats.

1008 C.E. Japan

Jan 1, 1008

The Tale of Genji was written by Lady Murasaki, and captured the charm and underlying tension/ sadness of the court at the time period. This shows change because it was the first novel written in any language, and it was written by a woman. This fits with the social theme because women had taken on the traditionally male roles in society, and received credit for it.

12th Century C.E. Japan

Jan 1, 1200

Japanese samurais were mounted troops that had armor crafted of steel and leather, giving them protection against enemies, along with weapons. Bushi were warrior leaders that administered law, supervised public works projects, and collected revenue. These two exemplify change, because a new warrior class had emerged in Japan, and was unlike the other classes. This fits with the social theme because a new social warrior class was created.

12th Century C.E. Japan

Jan 1, 1200

Peasants in Japan were reduced to the status of serfs, and were bound to land they worked and treated as the property of the local landlord. These peasants were separated by rigid class barriers from the other social classes. This shows continuity because the serf class had become a new, low class, such as in the previous civilizations in Europe. This fits with the social theme because there was an emergence of a new social class.

13th Century C.E. Japan

Jan 1, 1300

Women in merchant and artisan families were fairly independent, and participated in guild organizations and business management. Daughter's sometimes inherited positions from their families. This shows a change because women rarely had independence compared to men, and did not usually have important roles. This fits with the social theme because women had independence that was comparable with men, and received some of the land/ positions of the family.

14th Century C.E. Japan

Jan 1, 1400

Women in the warrior elite classes learned to ride, use a bow and arrow, and joined in the hunt. Although women had received these rights, the trend of primogeniture caused them to receive little or no share in the family estate any more. This shows continuity because women had continually gotten their share/ rights taken away, for men. This fits with the social theme because, yet again, men were treated better and with more respect than women.