Quiz about Japanese Art Culture and History

Japanese Art, Culture and History Quiz

An esoteric mixture of Japanese culture, history, and ideas. Have fun!

A multiple-choice quiz by thejazzkickazz. Estimated time: 6 mins.

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Author
thejazzkickazz

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
27,050

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Very Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
849

Last 3 plays: Guest 141 (5/10), Guest 98 (3/10), Guest 24 (3/10).

This quiz has 2 formats: you can play it as a or as shown below.
Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key.

1. The Genroku Kabuki theatre was so named not only to describe the grand and colorful style, but etymologically so named to mean 'wild and deviant behavior'. What social-economic class did Kabuki originally describe? Hint

gangs

prostitutes

samurai

tyrants

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2. Who was the Japanese writer first credited with the Tales of the Floating Worlds? Hint

Asai Myo

Asai Ryoi

Asai Toku

Asai Lee

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3. Who was the 'Aristotle of Japan' during the Tokugawa period, responsible for the systematic collection of all knowledge in Japan? Hint

Miura Baien

Ekken Kaibara

Kaoho Seiyo

Kumazawa Banzen

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4. What is the oldest anthology of Japanese literature, written ca 729, called? Hint

Bumerion

Banyoshu

Manyoshu

Bunkado

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5. After China's defeat, the Treaty of Shimonoseki of 1895, gave Korea to Japan as a protectorate. What pretext did the Japanese use to take away Korea from China? Hint

Korea was always part of Japan

Korea needed saving from Chinese dominance

The Koreans were being swallowed up by the Western powers

Mongolian bloodlines are the same

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6. Who were the two greatest disciples of Buddha, literally called the right and left hands of Buddha? Hint

Mahogollavana, Sati

Sariputta, Mahamoggallana

Meratyana, Anadin

Anandin, Lao-tzu

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7. Who were the Jusha of the imperial Japanese history? Hint

Handmaidens

Samurai

Confucian scholars

Barbers

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8. The Japanese borrowed a great deal from the Neo-Confucian school. What did they call this transfer of knowledge? Hint

Kobun daikaku

Kobun ji gaku

Kobun maichichi

Kobun sutoriwainiki

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9. Sesson Shukei was a famous painter of Japan. He was also a well-known calligrapher. He was known as a painter who used perfect brushstokes and splash techniques. In what period of Japanese history was he active? Hint

Jomon

Kamakura

Muromachi

Meiji

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10. The Silver and Gold Pavilions in the Kyoto-Style of art were influenced by which philosophical school of thought? Hint

Confucianism

Zen

Neo-Confucianism

Tao

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: gangs

From the gangs it has come down through time to be viewed as a much more refined form of art. But isn't this often the case with arts and literature? Who knows...maybe one day Danielle Steele will be considered refined lit!

2. Who was the Japanese writer first credited with the Tales of the Floating Worlds?

Answer: Asai Ryoi

You will find allusions to 'floating' often in the titles of Asian art and literature. It refers to the delicate nature of painting, and the transient nature of our lives.

3. Who was the 'Aristotle of Japan' during the Tokugawa period, responsible for the systematic collection of all knowledge in Japan?

Answer: Ekken Kaibara

Kaibara's collection of writing is very important to modern Japanese philosophers and historians, much as Aristotle is for modern Westerners even today!

4. What is the oldest anthology of Japanese literature, written ca 729, called?

Answer: Manyoshu

The Manyoshu is a 20-volume collection of Japanese poetry. Interestingly...the name means 'ten thousand leaved collection'. The 'leaves' refer to the pages...

5. After China's defeat, the Treaty of Shimonoseki of 1895, gave Korea to Japan as a protectorate. What pretext did the Japanese use to take away Korea from China?

Answer: Korea needed saving from Chinese dominance

The Japanese eventually annexed Korea in 1910, making their domination complete. They would not let go until after World War II.

6. Who were the two greatest disciples of Buddha, literally called the right and left hands of Buddha?

Answer: Sariputta, Mahamoggallana

Buddha had many disciples, of course...but these two 'venerable' fellows were the most important...kind of like Peter and Paul, but with names that are more difficult for the Western tongue to get around.

7. Who were the Jusha of the imperial Japanese history?

Answer: Confucian scholars

The Jusha were those who borrowed and refined Neo-Confucian philosophy for Japanese intellectual culture and tastes. See next question for more!

8. The Japanese borrowed a great deal from the Neo-Confucian school. What did they call this transfer of knowledge?

Answer: Kobun ji gaku

Neo-Confucianism blossomed during the Song Dynasty period in China, and slowly made its way into Korea and Japan. The Neo-Confucian scholars attempted to unite Confucian philosophy with metaphysical ideas.

Answer: Muromachi

Sesson was active during the 16th century, and used Chinese ink painting and calligraphic techniques to work his masterpieces. His Muromachi art is priceless to the art collector in Japan!

10. The Silver and Gold Pavilions in the Kyoto-Style of art were influenced by which philosophical school of thought?

Answer: Zen

When you think of Japanese Buddhist philosophy, Zen must always come to mind! I hope you enjoyed this very difficult but fascinating quiz...thank you for giving it a try!

Source: Author thejazzkickazz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor minch before going online.
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Most Recent Scores

Feb 25 2023 : Guest 141: 5/10
Feb 25 2023 : Guest 98: 3/10
Feb 25 2023 : Guest 24: 3/10
Feb 21 2023 : Guest 157: 2/10
Feb 04 2023 : Guest 71: 5/10

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