A member of a Japanese warrior class who followed a code of conduct and served their lords in battle.

A period of peace and stability across much of Eurasia during the 13th and 14th centuries, which facilitated safe trade and cultural exchange under Mongol rule.

A system of individual characters made of wood, metal, or baked clay that can be arranged to create a printing block for a page of text and then rearranged for others.

The 'way of the warrior,' a strict code of behavior followed by Japanese military nobility that emphasized honor, bravery, and loyalty to one's lord.

The only woman in Chinese history to assume the title of emperor and rule in her own name during the Tang Dynasty.

A person who survives and makes a living by herding and raising livestock, typically moving frequently to find fresh grazing land.

A class of powerful, well-to-do people who enjoy a high social status, often achieved through education and civil service positions rather than inheritance alone.

A group of people descended from a common ancestor, often serving as the basic social unit of nomadic societies on the Eurasian steppe.

A supreme military commander who ruled Japan in the name of the emperor, effectively acting as a military dictator.

A massive and ornate temple complex built in the 12th century, originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and later used as a Buddhist site.

The brilliant Mongol leader who united the nomadic tribes of the eastern steppe through conquest and organization, eventually becoming the 'Universal Ruler' of the largest land empire in history.

The Mongol emperor and grandson of Genghis Khan who completed the conquest of China, established the Yuan Dynasty, and hosted European travelers at his court.

The second emperor of the Tang Dynasty whose reign marked a golden age of stability, expansion, and government reform in China.

A Venetian merchant and explorer who traveled along the Silk Road and served in the court of Kublai Khan, later recording his experiences in a widely read book.

The powerful Southeast Asian kingdom that reached its peak between the 9th and 15th centuries in what is now Cambodia, known for its advanced irrigation and massive temple complexes.

Japan's earliest religion, based on respect for the forces of nature and the worship of ancestors.

The dynasty that ruled the Korean peninsula from 918 to 1392, establishing a central government and producing famous celadon pottery and the Tripitaka Koreana.

A member of the wealthy upper class in Song-era China who achieved their status through education and civil service rather than land ownership alone.