Japan and Korea

I always knew that Japan and Korea were related in ways more than China to Japan. I however did NOT know that the Japanese and Koreans descended from the same group.

My friends always told me that the Japanese and the Koreans harbored some negative feelings for each other. I would say more similar to the British and the colonists shortly after the American's established their independence.

The most interesting part of the chapter I took away was how amazing how unsupported the Japanese islands were when it comes to cultivating and sustaining early life. The Japanese islands are highly mountainous, have acidic, thin, infertile soil, and swift current streams do not sound like a place anyone would want to try to create a new place to live. But somehow the Japanese did it.

The introduction even tells of more interesting facts like, despite having one of the smallest regions to grow rice in, the Japanese have the highest rice yields in the world. More interesting than that is their success is thanks to their ability to adapt and their perseverance.

I've always been into Japanese culture and history and learning this about early Japan makes them remarkable to say the least.