Question

Select the primary reason why the Japanese elite were inspired to become a more literary culture? The desire to study Buddhist scriptures and copy Chinese texts The desire to study Buddhist scriptures and copy Chinese texts The people wanted to be able to write down their laws and history The people wanted to be able to write down their laws and history Temple schools encouraged scholars to learn to read and write Temple schools encouraged scholars to learn to read and write They wanted to copy the Chinese

Answer 1

Early works of Japanese literature were heavily influenced by cultural contact with China and Chinese literature, and were often written in Classical Chinese. Indian literature also had an influence through the spread of Buddhism in Japan. Eventually, Japanese literature developed into a separate style, although the influence of Chinese literature and Classical Chinese remained. Following Japan's reopening of its ports to Western trading and diplomacy in the 19th century, Western literature has influenced the development of modern Japanese writers, while they have in turn been more recognized outside Japan