Compare and contrast the emperorships of premodern China and premodern Japan.
China:
- Emperors always changing, no stability or respect. Emperors could be overthrown whenever the people decided that they should be.
- Mandate of heaven easily allowed for the fall of emperor.
- Called themselves sons of heaven but did not write literature directly linking them to gods and goddesses. (that was japan)
- Chinese emperor had more power. Was able to successfully pass laws and do whatever he wanted to. Example? Chin Shihuang of the Qin dynasty. Was cruel, merciless and carried out many laws that he saw fit. He did whatever he wanted and didn't have to have the consent of anyone to do it. He ordered the execution of 400 confucian scholars (by burying them alive) and he burned all of the confucian literature of the time.
- Chinese emperors not given the right o rule forever.
Japan:
- Emperor lineage is unchanged and untouched. Japanese people very proud of the fact that their emperor has come from the same lineage, which they believe was established during the creation of Japan.
- Nothing allowed for the overthrow of the emperor. Even if the emperor was a "sissy", it didn't matter because there would always be someone to rule the country for him.
- Believed in a creation myth that linked the imperial line to Amaterasu, the sun goddess who is believed to be the one responsible for teh creation of the imperial line.
- During the times of teh shogunate, was virtually powerless. Had no say in running the country. Duties were all ritualistic and performed religiously. Was teh head of the shinto religion, but not head of the government. The head of the government was the shogunate and they were the ones who ran the country.
- Given the right to rule forever. Even to this day, the japanese emperor continues to come from the same line that has progressed and survived throughout all of japanese history.
MARTY: This compare and contrast is exactly what i did in my essay. Using the points and examples mentioned above, you should be able to get a 4-5 paragraph essay.
If you need more variety, or different ones points, just let me know and we'll go over that too. =)
안녕하세요 정나영 입니다. 난 16 년생이야 그리고 AB형 ㅋ. 난 한국어 여자가. 150cm*38kg..입니다.
(My name is Jung Na Yeong! I'm 16 years old and bloodtype AB. Female and Korean, 150cm in height and 38kg in weight.)