UNIT 8: South, East, and Southeast Asia, 300 bce–1980 ce

Here is a summary of the works you need to know for this unit!

In unit 7, we learned about West and Central Asia, but now, we're going to move east to the areas that we haven't explored yet 🕵️; welcome to South, East, and Southeast Asia! In this unit, you'll learn about the influence of different religions and philosophies on people's beliefs and how this translates to their artworks 🖼️ We'll also learn more about cross-cultural interactions on the continent between Europeans and native groups, and how this led to artistic syncretism (fusion of different cultures). So, without any further delay, let's start learning about the history and art of unit 8.

But before we do that, you may be wondering why we decided to group India and Southeast Asia together, since they're two geographically and culturally distinct areas 🧐? During this time period, the majority of people in both India and Southeast Asia practiced Hinduism and Buddhism (although there were also Jains, Muslims, and other religious groups), which is why they're placed together. Nowadays, those religions are still widely practiced in the area, except in Indonesia, where the majority of the population practices Islam 🕌

Works of architecture like the Forbidden City, which is pictured below, were built to keep its royal residents away from the hustle and bustle (and potential danger) of the city 🏙️ At the center of the building is a courtyard, allowing people to go outside without having to leave the safety of their home. Its inhabitants lived in certain parts of the Forbidden City based on age (older residents lived in warmer parts, while younger ones lived in colder ones), which shows the application of Confucian filial piety 👵 in real life. Life in China, both in the past and present, revolves around this Confucian belief, which says that people should obey their elders as a way of respect.

Zen Buddhism and Shintoism were the two most practiced religions in Japan during the construction of these structures, and its influence is evident. Japanese buildings are usually made from undressed (not finished, natural) wood, and there are many zen gardens (gardens that resemble nature and are used for meditation) found around the nation. This is because both religions promote being harmonious with nature, whether that's by using natural materials or finding peace in it, showing that in Japan, religion and nature go hand in hand 🤝