Japanese Culture Erik Brands

Japan 4 Main islands-Hokkaido, Honshu (or the mainland), Shikoku, and Kyushu. 75% Mountainous Rulers- The emperor was supposed to be the ruler, but the shogun are the ones who actually had more power. Religion- Shinto and Buddhism

Samurai Japan’s form of military. Ruled by the shogun and daimyo. Fought mainly for land. 8% of the population

Tokugawa Period Also know as the Edo Period 1601 to 1867 In 1868, Tokugawa government fell and the samurai class was abolished. A time when the samurai were losing their military purpose. Many samurai became bureaucrats, courtiers, and administrators instead of warriors.

Bushido “way of the warrior” Code of the samurai Enforces the requirement to conduct themselves with calmness, fairness, justice, and politeness. It also stressed finding a proper death in battle, for the cause of their lord. The samurai must unswervingly obey his master.

Death Seppuku- An honorable form of suicide for defeated or dishonored samurai. Could be performed as a ritual after committing a crime Could be done on the battlefield in order not to be taken prisoner of be disgraced by being killed by an enemy. Sometimes, when another samurai was defeated after a good fight, the victor would allow the opponent this honorable way of dying. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz68_xDww2o&mode=related&search=

Clothing Kimono- worn by all classes, men and women. Materials and colors showed the class. Silk was reserved for the upper classes like the samurai while others wore hemp, ramie, cotton and other common fabrics.

Clothing Kamishimo- Samurai wear it. It is a 2 piece costume worn over the kimono. Kataginu- The upper half. It is a sleeveless vest with large shoulders. Hakama- The lower half. They are flowing pants whose design contain an important meaning to the samurai. The seven folds in these pants represent seven virtues of the Samurai – Yuki (courage), Jin (humility), Gi (justice), Rei (chivalry), Makoto (honesty), Chugi (loyalty), and Meiyo (prestige). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4BnRMOCcXg

47 Ronin Ronin- masterless samurai. Asano- The Lord of the Castle of Ako. Oishi- Asano’s Chief Councilor. Kira- High official appointed by the shogun to entertain guests.

47 Ronin Kira insults Asano and attempts to humiliate him for two months because he did not receive an expensive gift from Asano. Asano drew his sword and injured Kira for the constant insults and humiliation. Asano is sentenced to seppuku and Oishi is now in charge. Castle is taken over and the 321 samurai are ordered to disband. Oishi and other samurai want to bring back their master’s honor and seek revenge by killing Kira who was not punished at all. Eventually, the 47 ronin attacked Kira’s mansion and defeated his 61 guards. Kira was beheaded because he would not commit seppuku. Oishi and 45 of his men were to execute themselves not as criminals but as honored warriors. The 46 ronin were buried side by side next to their master at Sengaku-ji Temple.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4142.htm#history http://marian.creighton.edu/~marian-w/academics/english/japan/samurai/samurai.html le.daisho.free.fr/ceremonieduseppuku.htm http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/japan/religion.htm