Early Japan & Korea Chapter 8 Section 3 C. 600 C.E.

Early Japan The population of early Japan was concentrated into clans made up of mostly kinship groups. The population had a small aristocratic class that governed the rest of the population which was made up of farmers, artisans and household servants. Japan's unique culture developed mainly due to its geography. Japan is an island chain disconnected from mainland China. This isolation kept Chinese influence and other invaders from penetrating the Japanese Island Chain.

Chinese Influences Chinese influences in japan were integrated because the Japanese wanted to adapt the more effective styles of the Chinese. In most other places , Chinese influence was forced onto other Asian societies, Japan being an exception. Shotoku Taishi, a Japanese prince from the Yamato province united Japanese clans to avoid invasions from the Chinese in the 7th century. He also adopted the very effective Chinese style of government. After successfully defending japan from the Chinese, Taishi became the supreme ruler of japan. Other adaptations from the Chinese government model included taxes paid directly to the central government.

Imperial Japan After Taishi’s death, political power fell into the hands of the Fujiwara clan. Many aristocratic clans still had influence in Japan and many kept tax revenue for themselves instead of giving it to the state. As a result the central government lost power and influence over time. As government power continued eroding, Japan again became fragmented. Even though the position of Emperor existed power belonged to the aristocratic clans that owned the majority of the land. The aristocratic families developed their own military forces. Known as samurais these warriors wore amour and had swords and bows. Occasionally the samurai's of the aristocratic families engaged in conflict with one another.

Samurai

The Kamakura Shogunate By the end of the 12 century, after japan had fallen into civil war amongst the aristocratic families, Minamoto Yoritomo eventually defeated several rivals and obtained absolute power. Yorimoto moved the capital near the modern day city of Tokyo and established a new government system known as a Shogunate. In the Shogunate government the emperor remained ruler, but in name only. The actual authority fell to a Shogun, or general who had supreme control. The government lasted until the 15th century until civil war broke out and Japan was again fragmented politically.

Life in Early Japan Japan was mostly a farming society with the majority of the population involved in agriculture growing rice and other grains in the little land available for farming. Early on men and women were more equal than later on when Chinese influences made their way to the island. Over time women's roles were more restricted. Some women form aristocratic families had more freedom. They participated in the court and became known for their literary talents and artistic ability.

The Emergence of Korea the case of Korea is very different from that of Japan. The Korean peninsula, unlike Japan is connected to mainland Asia, and as a result Korea was heavily influenced by China. After numerous attempts by the Chinese to try and conquer Korea, they eventually Gave up and instead entered into an agreement with Koreans known as the tribute system. After civil war for 300 years in Korea, the Koryo Dynasty was established. After the King of the new Silla dynasty was assassinated, Korea again fell into civil war until. In the 13th century the Mongols conquered Korea with Kublai Khan ruling over the Koreans. Many Koreans were forced to build ships for the Mongols for their eventual attack on Japan.