Feudal Japan

Geography of Early Japan Japan is a string of islands that are really just the top of undersea mountains The Japanese learned to prepare seafood as their primary diet Because Japan was separate from the rest of Asia, they developed their own culture, including its social structure and religion

Yamato Period: 300-710 “Great Kings” era The Ainu – spoke a different language and looked different from other people of Japan. The people who lived south of the Ainu became the Japanese They lived in small farming villages Ruled by powerful clans and a chief Shinto became the traditional religion of Japan Everything an nature has kami, which helps people live and keeps them from harm “Great Kings” era

The influence of China on Japan China and Korea began to influence Japanese culture in the mid-500s. Japanese learned to write in Chinese and used Chinese characters to represent sounds used in Japanese. First history of Japan was written in Chinese and Chinese was the official language of Japan’s government

Prince Shotoku: 573-621 Adopted Chinese culture and Confucianism. Buddhist sects allowed to develop. Created a new government structure: 17 Article Constitution in 604. 

Heian Period: 794-1156 Characteristics: Growth of large land estates. Golden age of art Visual art: painting (bright bold colors), calligraphy (poems) Architecture: copied Chines building styles. Open airy designs with natural elements, gardens and ponds Performing arts: such as musicians, jugglers and acrobats. Elaborate court life separate from the common people Fashion and appearance – nobles loved elaborate outfits made of silk and gold jewelry Literature Personal diaries: The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon [10c] The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikibu [1000 pgs.+] World’s first full length novel

Different forms of Buddhism developed. Land Buddhism did not require special rituals, it was for the common person. Zen Buddhism believed that neither faith nor good behavior led to wisdom, but self-discipline, meditation or quiet thinking.

Heian Period: Cultural Borrowing Chinese writing. Chinese artistic styles. Buddhism [in the form of ZEN]. BUT, not the Chinese civil service system! 

Heian Court Dress

The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon (diary)

The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon (diary)

Tale of Genji (first novel)

Tale of Genji Scroll (first novel)

Lady Murasaki Shikibu She contributed much to the Japanese script known as kana, while men wrote with Chinese characters, kanji.

Founded the Kamakura Shogunate: 1185-1333 Minamoto Yoritomo Founded the Kamakura Shogunate: 1185-1333

The emperor reigned, but did not always rule! Feudal Society

Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service. Japan: Shogun Land - Shoen Loyalty Land - Shoen Daimyo Daimyo Loyalty Samurai Samurai Samurai Food Protection Peasant Peasant Peasant Peasant

Code of Bushido Fidelity (loyalty) Politeness Bravery Simplicity

Seppuku: Ritual Suicide It is honorable to die in this way. Kaishaku – his “seconds”

Full Samurai Attire

Samurai Sword

Early Mounted Samurai Warriors

Underpinnings: Basic Steps in Self Defense A COTTON BREECH CLOUT that extended up over the chest was the basic undergarment of a samurai’s costume A SHORT SLEEVED KIMONO, or “armor robe,” was tied snugly at the waist with a special knot (lower right)

BILLOWING PANTALOONS,worn over the armor robe, fitted loosely in the legs to allow freedom of movement AN EXQUISITE BROCADE, richly worked with a design of peonies, was one of the extravagant materials used in an armor robe that may have been made for a 14th Century imperial prince STURDY SHINGUARDS of cloth or leather were reinforced with strips of iron to give protection from the front

Samurai Charging

Modern-Day “Samurai Warriors”

Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service. Europe: King Land - Fief Loyalty Land - Fief Lord Lord Loyalty Knight Knight Knight Food Protection Peasant Peasant Peasant Peasant

Code of Chivalry Justice Loyalty Defense Courage Faith Humility Nobility

Medieval Warriors vs. European knight Samurai Warrior

Medieval Warriors vs. Knight’s Armor Samurai Armor

Zen Buddhism A Japanese variation of the Mahayana form of Buddhism, which came from India through China. It reinforced the Bushido values of mental and self-discipline.

4,400 ships and 140,000 men, but kamikaze winds stopped them. Mongol “Invasions” of Japan 4,400 ships and 140,000 men, but kamikaze winds stopped them.

Ashikaga Age: 1338-1573 Shoguns fought for power. Laws are unclear. Less efficient than the Kamakura. Armies of samurai protected the country. 

C A S T L E S

Osaka Castle

Main Gate of Hiroshima Castle

Caernorfon Castle, Wales

Warwick Castle, England

R O E N S

The Age of the Warring States: (1467 - 1568) Castles built on hills in different provinces. Power shifts from above to below. Europeans arrive in Japan  bringing firearms & Christianity. Christianity & foreign trade flourish.

Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) Banishes the last Ashikaga shogun. Unifies a large part of Japan.

Catholic Jesuits in Japan St. Francis Xavier [First Catholic Missionaries in Asia]

Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598) Becomes suspicious of European territorial ambitions. Orders all European missionaries expelled from Japan.  Tries to invade Korea, but fails.

First Christian Martyrs (1597): Shrine in Nagasaki Today

Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616) Appointed shogun by the Emperor. Four-class system laid down with marriage restricted to members of the same class!  Warriors. Farmers. Artisans. Merchants.

Tokugawa Shogunate Period Japan closed off to all trade [except to the Dutch and Chinese].  The Dutch were restricted to a small island in Nagasaki harbor. Japanese Christians persecuted and Christianity is forbidden. The government is centralized with all power in the hands of the shogun. Domestic trade flourishes. Towns, esp. castle towns, increase. Merchant class becomes rich!  New art forms  haiku poetry, kabuki theater.