Message from mclancy

[Anonymous]

I thought that the Japanese getting their idea for phonetic language from Sanskrit is fascinating, especially considering this was around 900 A.D. This is one of those interesting facts to point out the cultural blending going on in the pre-modern world. When we talk about the “Silk Road” and the trade connections in the East this would be a great example to have students develop and research. They could research and map out the trade route between India and Japan, and could answer some great critical thinking questions. What geographic obstacles would someone face traveling from South Asia to East Asia? What technology would be necessary for knowledge of Sanskrit to reach Japan - why?