Aim: Was Feudalism in Japan similar to European Feudalism? Do Now: What do you know about Japan?

I Geography of Japan Japan is an archipelago east of Korea. It consists of 1000s of islands, but 4 main ones. Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire (a circle of volcanic activity in the Pacific). Mountainous. Its tallest mountain is Mount Fuji. Only 20% of Japanese land is arable (suitable for farming). Natural resources are seafood and rice. The Mongols attacked Japan in 1274 and 1281. Both times their ships were stopped by strong kamikaze winds! Mt. Fuji Rice Paddy

Above is the attempted invasion of Japan by the Mongols (during the Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century).

Pacific Ring of Fire On March 11 2011, Japan experienced a devastating earthquake, causing mass destruction. However, Japan is a leader in geothermal energy (from magma under the Earth’s crust).

Sumo performed to honor kami for a good harvest! II Early Japan (300 – 710 CE) A) Early Japanese were hunters and gatherers. Controlled by clans (small political group based on family ties). B) Traditional Japanese religion was Shinto (worship of kami; forces in nature; a form of animism). Shinto Shrine Sumo performed to honor kami for a good harvest!

III Taika Reforms 646 CE III The Heian Period The Taika reforms integrated Chinese bureaucracy into Japan’s own imperial government. Adopted Chinese language & Confucianism Imperial court located at Nara Buddhist monks and aristocrats opposed the reforms; wanted to separate Japanese identity from China. Sinification: (the spread of Chinese culture). III The Heian Period A) 794 CE Kyoto became the new capital of Japan. B) 9th century poets began to write in Japanese instead of in Chinese. C) Lady Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Genji 1000 CE. *The world’s 1st known fictional novel! It is about Genji, the son of the Emperor during the Heian period. It describes in detail the differences between the nobles and the commoners. D) The Fujiwara clan dominated in the Heian; influential to the emperor.

Heian Japan

IV Feudal Japan Emperor Shogun Daimyo Lords Samurai Warriors Peasants A) By the 9th century CE, the power of the Emperor declined. Feudalism became the dominant form of government in Japan. Emperor The emperor was a figurehead without real power. The Shogun was the real ruler of feudal Japan, and head of the military. Shogun The Daimyo lords were given land in exchange for loyalty to the Shogun. Daimyo Lords The Samurai provided military service to the Daimyo Lords in exchange for land or food. Samurai Warriors Farmers had a higher social status than merchants. Confucianism had influenced Japan, and believed merchants to be useless as they did not always make the things they sold. Peasants

Feudal Japan Continued… B) The Samurai followed the Code of Bushido “Way of the Warrior” 1. Honor 2. Bravery 3. Loyalty 4. Simplicity 5. If a Samurai displeased his master or lost a battle, he may practice seppuku (ritual suicide) so he will not lose honor.

Osaka Castle, Built 1583 As Daimyo lords fought with each other and gained more land, the need for bigger and stronger fortifications arose.

Samurai Armor Samurai armor incorporated steel, leather, and wood plates, tied together with silk or leather cords.

V Gempei Wars 1180 – 1185 CE The Taira and the Minamoto were clans in Japan that were influential is picking the new emperor. The Gempei Wars between the 2 clans resulted in the Minamoto’s establishment of the Kamakura shogunate, a military dictatorship that dominated Japan from 1192 to 1333. Grave of Minamato

Zen literally means “meditation”. V Zen Buddhism A) Zen Buddhism began in China in the 6th century. It was greatly influenced by Taoism; Zen Buddhists have a great respect for nature. It became popular in Japan by the 12th century. B) Zen Buddhism greatly influenced Japanese culture. 1. Zen Buddhism requires a strict mental focus and discipline, which reinforced the Code of Bushido 2. Zen Buddhist Gardens were built as places for meditation and beauty 3. Japanese Tea Ceremony: This ceremony transforms the simple act of pouring tea into a beautiful art form. 4. Haiku Poetry: Short, simple, beautiful poems. 5, 7, then 5 syllables. Zen literally means “meditation”.

Japanese Tea Ceremony The Japanese Tea Ceremony is a ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea. Every movement is choreographed, and every object is chosen to represent the season. The whole process is not about the tea, but about the entire experience!

Golden Buddhist Temple, Japan

Zen Garden This Zen garden was designed deliberately for the purpose of meditation. What materials were used? How were they placed?

Zen Buddhist Gardens for Every Season!

VII Korea A) Chinese influences came to Korea when the Han conquered the Choson (Yi) Kingdom 109 BCE under Emperor Wudi. Buddhism and Chinese writing was adopted, but Chinese bureaucracy never took hold, as the land owning nobles didn’t want it minimizing their own power. Silla, one of the three kingdoms of ancient Korea, in 668 unified Korea under the Silla Dynasty (668–935). The Sui dynasty of China attempted unsuccessfully to reconquer Korea. The later Tang Dynasty succeeded but was challenged by constant revolts. The Tang emperor eventually agreed to remove all Chinese military from Korea if the Silla would become vassals of the Tang dynasty and make regular tribute payments. The benefits included access to Chinese culture and universities, merchants went with emissaries to China.

Bibimbop and other Korean Yum Yums! The 3 Kingdoms of Korea Bibimbop and other Korean Yum Yums!

Gyeongju, Capital of the Sulla Dynasty, Korea

Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

Focus Questions Fill in your chart for Japan. Add a row for Korea. Describe at least 2 ways that Japan’s geography has impacted its history and/or culture. Using a Venn diagram, compare and contrast Japanese feudalism with feudalism in Western Europe. Write your own haiku about Japan! Was Sinification in Korea more positive or negative? Can of metal, slick soft center, so cool, moistening I yearn for your salt my friend pork shoulder I return to you. this time i've brought mayonnaise

Key Vocabulary Archipelago Choson Kingdom Clans Code of Bushido Daiymo Emperor Wudi Feudalism Gempei Wars Heian Period Kamikaze womds Lady Shikibu Mt. Fuji Pacific Ring of Fire Samurai Sepukku Shinto Silla Dynasty Sinification Shogun The Tale of Genji Zen Buddhism