Japan Vocabulary

Question 1

Monsoon

Answer 1

Strong winds in Asia, blowing from the south-west in summer.

Question 2

Shogun

Answer 2

A Japanese military ruler in the Edo Japan.

Question 3

Artisan

Answer 3

A skilled craft worker.

Question 4

Merchant

Answer 4

A person who buys and sells commodities for profit; dealer; trader.

Question 5

Peasant

Answer 5

A small farmer or farm labourer of low social rank.

Question 6

Per capita

Answer 6

Average for each person.

Question 7

Indemnity

Answer 7

Payment for losses.

Question 8

Edict

Answer 8

1. A decree issue by a sovereign or other authority.

2. Any authoritative proclamation or command.

Question 9

Confucianism

Answer 9

The teaching of Chinese scholar Confucius.

Question 10

Feudalism

Answer 10

The system of political organization during the Middle Ages in which the lord owned the land and all others served him.

Question 11

Hereditary

Answer 11

Determined by birth.

Question 12

Isolationism

Answer 12

The policy of isolating one’s country from the affairs of other nations by declining to enter into alliances, foreign economic commitments, international agreements, etc., seeking to devote the entire efforts of one’s country to its own advancement and remain at peace by avoiding foreign entanglements and responsibilities.

Question 13

Expansionism

Answer 13

The actions and attitudes of a state or country whose goal is to expand its power and territory.

Question 14

Isolated

Answer 14

When a person or group is set apart or cut off from others by geographic, ecologic, or social barriers.

Question 15

Arable

Answer 15

Land suitable for farming and agriculture.

Question 16

Archipelago

Answer 16

A long chain of islands.

Question 17

Rituals

Answer 17

A celebration or ceremony observed with regularity.

Question 18

Ethical codes

Answer 18

Rules about right and wrong behaviour.

Question 19

Stoic

Answer 19

Used to describe a person who can control his or her emotions and endure difficult experiences with patience.

Question 20

Assimilation

Answer 20

Forcing a group of people to acquire the characteristics of a majority group.

Question 21

Edo period

Answer 21

The period in Japanese history between 1600 and 1853; also known as the Tokugawa period.

Question 22

Meiji

Answer 22

Japanese word meaning enlightened rule.

Question 23

Industrialization

Answer 23

1. the large-scale introduction of manufacturing, advanced technical enterprises, and other productive economic activity into an area, society, country, etc.
2. conversion to the methods, aims, and ideals of industry and economic activity, particularly of an area that was previously underdeveloped economically.

Question 24

Westernization

Answer 24

Adopting the culture and ideas of the Western world.