The Emergence of Japan and the Feudal Age Chapter 12 Section 4 The Emergence of Japan and the Feudal Age

Geography Sets Japan Apart Japan is located on an archipelago Has 4 main islands

Seas Protect Japan 4/5 of land is mountainous People settle in river valleys & coastal plains Seas > protect & isolate Japan Japan at times sealed off from foreign influence preserved identity Thriving fishing industry

Forces of Nature Japan lies on “Ring of Fire” Earthquakes & tsunamis chain of volcanoes Earthquakes & tsunamis come without warning

Early Traditions Yamato Clan Claims Power society divided into uji (clans) clans had a chief & special god Yamato set up Japan’s 1st & only dynasty current emperors trace roots to this clan

Early Traditions Cont. Religion Korean Connection worshiped forces of nature > Shinto traditions still seen today Korean Connection Japanese lang. > diff. from Chinese but related to Korean arrival of Buddhism sparked an interest in China

Japan Looks to China People from Yamato Clan visited China under the Tang dynasty spread Chinese art and technology adopted Chinese govt., pagoda architecture, Confucian ideas, etc. Tang declined > formed their own unique civilization Selective borrowing? Example > added kana > phonetic symbols representing syllables to Chinese writing

Warriors Est. Feudalism Warrior aristocracy dominates Japan Emperor > figurehead Shoguns Supreme military commanders Warrior Lords (Daimyo) Lesser Warriors > Samurai > “those who serve” Disciplined and highly trained warriors Code of values > bushido Peasants, Artisans, and Merchants (75% pop.)

Fight Off Mongols Kublai Khan sent two large forces to Japan when they did not accept Mongol rule Both invasions unsuccessful due to typhoons

Tokugawas Unite Japan Introduce centralized feudalism Created a unified orderly society Peace countryside > surplus in food > economy booms huge population increase trade flourished Zen Buddhism is est. Self-reliance Mediation Devotion to duty