Chapter 4

Confucianism and Daoism were very integral in ancient Chinese civilization. Woman were subordinate to men to to the then trendy Confucianism and after marriage women were forced to part with their families and everything she owned became more his than theirs. Foot binding was unfortunately incredibly popular and it caused their foot to look smaller and daintier. Foot binding was considered attractive but also made woman more of an object. Food binding made them immobile and was a indirect but simultaneously very direct way of  men managing the uterus of their wives. In the long run, this beauty process completely deformed and disabled woman who participated. Several places also practiced several Chinese traditions due to the inevitable invasion of China. Vietnam and Korea for example, women suddenly had restrained rights under Chinese rule and were barred of equal rights. In contrast, Japan was more than happy to introduce Chinese culture due to their then troublesome political system. Unlike Vietnam and Korea, Japan was given a say what aspects of Chinese culture they wanted to incorporate. China produced silk, gunpowder, paper and printing which was spread with the help of the Silk Road, reaching far beyond the country. Another important aspect of Chinese culture was that of Buddhism. Buddhism played a key role in the development of Chinese culture. Buddhism served as a religion originating from eastern and central Asia, taught by Guatama Buddha, who believed suffering was inevitable and a part of life and that eternal liberation of suffering wasn't a possibility.