Chapter 12 Introduction
Completion requirements
Unit 3
From Isolation to Adaptation
Chapter 12 Introduction
In what ways does physical geography contribute to shaping a worldview?
The people portrayed in the drawing in Figure 1 are Izanagi and Izanami, two important characters from Japanese myth.
Page 261 of your textbook relates a traditional story from Japanese mythology that tells how Japan was formed.
Read
Read the first paragraph on page 261 of the textbook to learn about Izanagi and Izanami and the creation of Japan.
Watch
Click the link to watch the video, Japanese Mythology: The Story of Izangi and Izanami for more information about these two characters from Japanese mythology.
In the past, events in Japanese history that were related strongly to
its geography caused the Japanese people to believe their country was
protected by these gods.
Read
Read the second paragraph on page 261 of your textbook to learn about these events.
When we consider the storms that helped the Japanese people defend themselves against invaders, we can appreciate why the ancient Japanese people believed their gods were defending them. The geography of Japan has had a great influence on the development of its worldview.