After 400 years of fragmentation, a united China expanded and prospered under the Tang and Song dynasties. Social and political order was maintained by using Confucian ideas of duty, rank, and behavior. During this period, the Chinese made important contributions in porcelain, landscape painting, calligraphy, prose, and poetry. In the 1200s, powerful Mongol armies conquered China, much of Asia, and portions of Europe. The lands under Mongol control enjoyed a long-lasting period of peace, order, and economic prosperity. However, most Chinese welcomed the Ming dynasty, which ended foreign rule and restored Chinese traditions.
Korea's history and culture are closely linked to those of China and Japan. Chinese social values, political ideas, farming methods, and writing spread to Korea. The Korean people adapted Chinese influences to fit their own needs and passed those influences on to Japan. Mountainous lands, surrounding seas, and violent forces of nature affected the development of Japan. Japan adopted elements of Chinese civilization but remained free of Chinese control. A warrior aristocracy controlled by a shogun dominated Japanese society during feudal times. The Tokugawa shoguns developed a system of centralized feudalism. During this period, Zen Buddhism, kabuki theater, haiku, and woodblock prints blossomed.
The Tang and Song dynasties restored culture and prosperity to China.
Mongol armies conquered China, much of Asia, and part of Europe, but in time, the Ming dynasty regained control in China.
Korea's history and culture were linked closely to those of China and Japan.
Japan borrowed elements of Chinese civilization but remained free of Chinese control.
Located between China and India, the region known today as Southeast Asia was strongly influenced by both of these powerful neighbors, yet distinct cultures of the region were able to retain their unique identities.