The Impact of Chinese Culture on Its Asian Neighbors

Imagine yourself being a Confucian scholar-official from Song-dynasty China, and you had a chance travelling to Heian-kyo during Machinaga’s time. What observations can you make about the similarities and differences between Chinese and Japanese societies? Based on your observations, which part of Japanese society deserves compliments? Which part needed to be

Currently, Japan is known for having a very distinct culture, cultivated due to their isolation as an island nation. However, while Japanese civilization is a highly distinctive society, it also has strong ties to Chinese culture. In fact, as early as the first century A.D., the people of Japan were sending missions to China; they established a trade and tribute based relationship. This initial relationship gave way to the later Chinese influence that would shape Japan. From these encounters, and maybe even from before, the Japanese developed a writing system similar to Chinese. In fact, according to Vogler, the earliest known examples of Japanese writing are proper names inscribed in Chinese characters. Nevertheless, Chinese influence didn’t just stop with language; it extended to art, literature, and even government. Eventually, these influences from China, often referred to as the ‘Sinification’ of Japan, would give rise to the newly civilized Japanese nation. Especially during the T’ang dynasty of China, “Both Korea and Japan were profoundly influenced by China and underwent broad centralizing reforms on the Chinese model” (Varley 19). Indeed, through religion, bureaucracy, and the arts, Chinese culture began to permeate Japanese civilization throughout the seventh and eighth centuries A.D.

China In a Different Light In the book Oracle Bones, Peter Hessler proves that China is more diversified than it is perceived by most scholars and researchers. In his first book, River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze 2001, Hessler analyzes the social structure of China where he was a volunteer as a peace corp member. In his work, he created a mentality of a well-structured society where the majority of people struggled to support their culture. The second book, Oracle Bones, gets more exquisite details of the changing China and the rapid changes in the country to meet the demands of globalization, internationalization, and integration.

China and Japan had similar but different experiences with the Western civilization. China and Japan reacted differently to the Western nations and it was China’s reactions to the West that would break the Chinese’s isolation leaving their traditions behind. The Industrial trade in Europe and the United States had created a gap between Asia and the West, This left china and Japan far behind technologically and they were not able to stand up against the western nations and although at different times China and Japan both ended up having to sign unequal treaties, and to open their ports for merchants.

China is the most ancient nation in history and is considered the leading cultural focal point of East Asia. China is filled with thriving ethics and morals, strong government, efficient economy, artistic and a systematic culture. In addition, China has created a powerful cultural existence throughout their civilization. China has battled and faced conflict of developing a more up to date cultural existence in the world in comparison to other countries. China has been trying to revolutionize its cultural values in today’s modern age.

On the international level, China had unfortunately found itself relatively isolated. The United States considered the Maoist government a threat to stability in the Far East, and conflicts in aims had marred the country’s relations with the Soviet Union. So, rather than

To a great extent the European imperialism undermined Chinese culture, Chinese culture is one of the world’s oldest cultures, around thousands of years old. The area in which the culture is dominant covers a large geographic region in which eastern Asia with customs and traditions varying, greatly between provinces, cities, and even towns as well. About 1.4 billion people live in China, with each community creating their own culture.

Chinese culture is truly one of the great civilization our world has come across. It boasts a vast geographic expanse, over 4000 years of written history, as well as a rich and profound traditional society. Many aspects of Chinese civilization can be traced back many centuries. It is so diverse and unique, yet harmoniously blended, and presents itself a priceless benefit to the world.

Throughout the course of East Asian history, Japan has been largely influenced by the Asian mainland. From ancient times to the medieval period, significant contributions to Japan can be seen coming from both Korea and China. Both of these countries diffused elements of their cultures to form the basis of Japanese society – namely China. These foreigners would influence various aspects of society including technology, philosophy, politics, and religion.

The geographical area of China is more than 9 million square kilometers and as a result, it is the fourth largest country in the world. There are several ethnic groups in China, the Han Chinese is the largest group, and it is found in almost all parts of the country. Other minority groups include Tibetan, Zhuang, Korean, and Mongol. The Chinese society is high context and non-verbal. The Chinese people acquire the knowledge of what they are supposed to do and say even if they are not told through conversation. Voice and facial expressions play a critical role in determining the feelings in a person. They do not have facial expressions when in a conversation. Direct eye contact is avoided because it is viewed as a symbol of disrespect (Clair & Norris, 2011).

China has about five thousand years history which is a very long period of time. Also, the Chinese civilization was growing with these periods of time and it will continues greater than ever. Many wars and unhappinesses were happening during this period. Although, the time has passed, the histories and the civilizations have not passed. These family virtues, serious, working attitudes, sense of justice and the great Confucian tradition have been deeply assimilated into the Chinese people. Some Chinese traditions are different from North American’s. The Chinese culture has many special characteristics which are very interesting for people to learn.

China came to realise that it was no longer at the centre of the world after being invaded multiple times by ‘barbarians’ from the outside who were stronger and possessed an intimidatingly sturdy culture and religion which threatened the Chinese culture and world order (Zhimin, 2005:38). China felt threatened and took to nationalism as a non-Chinese solution to the survival of China (Zhimin, 2005:38). However, “Chinese nationalism was a modern idea, seeping in from Europe. It was bolstered by the resentment of European imperialists, with their own ignorant and ruthless

For instance, the author investigates the theory of “cultural China” from Tu Wei-ming and discusses its contribution as well as restriction to the diasporic paradigm for studying Chineseness. On the one hand, the author appreciates Tu’s effort to challenge the former hegemonic structure of “center/periphery”, in which the center (mainland China) has undoubted priority and authority to define China and Chinese, by stressing the political possibility of diasporic and peripheral Chinese intellectuals (Ang 228-230). On the other hand, the author argues that since upmost concern of Tu still lies in the Mainland China, Tu actually underpins the hegemonic structure of China unconsciously by displacing the former center with a new center named “culture China”, which is regarded as a coercive incorporation or arrogant exclusion regardless of specificities of diasporic Chinese.

China is world’s most populous and fastest emerging economy that is seen as a continent in it instead of being part of Asia. In recent years, developed nations have been surprised by the acceleration of development in country that they give examples of success stories based on China’s market. Apart from China’s sophisticated with complex economic and political system, China also demonstrate interesting trends in several different prospects of society that are often neglected by intellectuals. There main focus is always on economic and political reform, But in this essay main focus is on the china’s population and the cultural rituals of family, gender and marriage. To add more, further elaboration will be addressed on the changing trends

China and U.S. relations are complex, but it is important to attribute historical context when analyzing contemporary issues. Prior to China establishing their global role as a superpower, their nation endured nearly a century of humiliation which began in the 1800s and concluded in the mid-1900s. Although they’ve redeemed their nationalism, the intrusion of Western imperialism created tension and hostility which lasted for years after. Also, the United States’ response to local Chinese events, such as the Tiananmen Square Massacre, negatively impacted their relationship because it was an example of how American media and officials utilized knowledge about particular Chinese events and disseminated various rhetorical messages in response.