Chapter 11, Part 3: Japan During the Middle Ages
Introductory Discussion Question: Why do you think Japan was never conquered by the Chinese or the Mongols? Crash Course World History, Middle Ages in Japan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnZEoOJ-cxE&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtNjasccl- WajpONGX3zoY4M&index=27 Feudal Japan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlJpDzje-Yo
Japan’s Geography Mountainous archipelago = chain of many Islands 4 main islands = Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku Japan’s total land area is about the size of Montana Very mountainous – only 11% of the land can be farmed Very dense population Island nation = isolated and unique cultural qualities. Nationalism!
China’s Influence on Japan China could never conquer Japan, but because of its close location: Cultural influences Buddhism – Buddhist monks from China in the 500s Government – centralized system under a supreme ruler
Samurai and Bushido Deconstructing History: The Samurai http://www.history.com/topics/samurai-and bushido/videos/deconstructing-history- samurai Using the laptops, research: What was life like for a Japanese Samurai. What were their roles in society? What is Bushido? How does it relate to the Samurai? (sounds like a little like chivalry in Europe, no?)
Japanese Shogunate Let’s discuss: 3. What is a shogun? Explain the system of Japanese government known as Shogunate?
The Role of Women in Japan Unlike China, women had some level of equality with men. Women were guaranteed inheritance rights Abandoned wives could divorce or remarry Had active role in society Wealthy women were prominent in government and court systems Artists and Literary figures Business owners and entertainers
Japanese Religion Turn to page 223 in your textbook to answer the following: 5. Shintoism is strictly unique to Japan. What are the basic ideas of this religion? Buddhism was brought to Japan by Chinese Monks. Japanese developed Zen Buddhism. What is Zen Buddhism?