Chinese Influence on Japan, Vietnam, and Korea

China, having achieved many great things throughout its history, began to have a great impact on neighboring Asian countries, and many looked to China as an example. Japan, Korea, and Vietnam were some of the most heavily influenced by China, being effected  by Chinese religion, architecture, art styles, government, and more. Once Chinese ideas and influence came into contact with these other civilizations, they blended with local practices and culture, which created somewhat similar societies. Japan, Korea, and Vietnam each had strong ties to China as well, and until modern times, preferred keeping their links with China over other links with other civilizations around the world. Still today, it is evident that Chinese culture has had a large impact on these other Asian societies. 

Impact on Korea: 

Though the Korean people have had many cultural exchanges with China, Korea has kept its own distinct identity throughout history. Chinese influence began to flow into Korea during the earliest Korean kingdom, the Ko Choson (Old Choson)kingdom, which was conquered by the Han dynasty of China. (Korea also had contacts with Japan, but was closer to China at the time.)

When the Han left, Korea split into 3 kingdoms: the Koguryo, the Silla, and the Paekche. Each adopted different aspects of Chinese culture: Koguryo adopted Buddhism, the Chinese code of law, the taxation system, and the bureaucracy. The Silla military followed a code combining Chinese belief systems(Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism). Last, the Paekche adopted some Chinese styles for their art and architecture, but their styles were still unique. The Koreans also adopted the Chinese writing system. 

Impact on Japan:

The Japanese borrowed many ideas from the Chinese, including their written language, religion, government style, architecture, and art forms. For example, Buddhism and Confucianism, which were important belief systems in China, were adopted by the Japanese but were reshaped to fit Japanese ways of life, creating different Japanese forms of the same religions. The same went for art and architecture, because the Japanese admired Chinese art while adding their own distinct style. Finally, the Japanese modeled their government after the Chinese style by using their own Imperial Court, its bureacracy, and city-planning. 

Impact on Vietnam:  

The Viets of Vietnam were seen as a group of "southern barbarians" to the Chinese scholars during the Qin dynasty, and the Chinese during this time didn't make much of a difference during their raids of Vietnam, though they did establish trade there. The Vietnamese people saw the benefits of China's technology and achievements, but felt the need to preserve their own identity and didn't want to be swallowed by China's culture. Vietnamese culture was very different than that of the Chinese, and had its own distinct art and literature.

Later, Han rulers came to rule Vietnam, and after their rule the Vietnamese learned Chinese script and memorized classical Chinese texts. Also, Chinese cropping techniques were introduced and food production became more efficient. 

(by: Jinan Thomad)

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Influence on Korea:

During the 7th century Tang armies conquered much of Korea, resulting in the Korean Silla Dynasty's king recognizing the Tang emperor as his overlord. Tang forces withdrew from the peninsula, and even though Korea paid tribute to China, the Silla rulers were allowed to have a greatly deal of autonomy. Significantly, though, the tributary relationship developed in a great deal of Chinese influence diffusing to Korea. The Silla built a new capital modeled on the Tang capital, Confucian schools were founded, and Buddhism sparked a great deal of popular interest. However, unlike China, Korea never developed a bureaucracy based on merit.

Influence on Japan:

     On the other hand, Chinese armies never invaded Japan, and even Kublai Khan's great forces could not overcome the treacherous straits that lie between Korea and Japan. The straits had isolated Japan since its beginnings, and its many islands and mountainous terrain led to separations among people who lived there. As a result, small states dominated by aristocratic clans developed, with agricultural communities developing wherever they were possible. Some Chinese influence, such as Confucianism, Buddhism, and Chinese writing characters diffused to Japan, but it remained unique in many ways. Two examples are:

• Shintoism -This native religion venerated ancestors, but also had a host of nature spirits and deities. Confucianism and Buddhism did not replace Shintoism, and it remained as an important religion in Japan.
• Separation of imperial power from real political power - Even though a Japanese emperor did emerge to rule the various clans, he served as a ceremonial figurehead and symbol of authority. The family that really ran things from 794 to 1188 were the Fujiwaras - who had military might that allowed them to manipulate the emperor. An important divergence from Chinese influence occurred during the late 11th century when the Minamoto clan seized power and installed their leader as the shogun, a military leader who ruled in place of the emperor.

(jamie mitchell, comment 8)