Unification and the Tokugawa Shogunate Japan Unification and the Tokugawa Shogunate

Japan’s Warrior Society By the 1100s, the central government was losing control of the empire Bandits roamed countryside, landowners hired armies of samurai Local clans were fighting for power and land. no law and order

Japan’s Warrior Society Samurai - trained professional warriors Were used to re-establish order developed into a feudal warrior society In exchange for allegiance and military service, noble landowners gave payment to samurai Only the most powerful samurai received land The feudal warrior society was similar to the feudal system in Europe The samurai’s lands were worked by peasants, who gave the samurai money or for payments each year Most samurai were paid with food, usually rice

Japan’s Warrior Society Warrior Role highly skilled warrior, required to be ready to fight at any time Wore armor, skilled with many weapons, fought on horseback Societal Privileges samurai rose in status in society, enjoyed many privileges Crowds parted to let them pass when samurai walked down street People dropped eyes out of respect—and fear—because samurai had the right to kill anyone who showed disrespect -

Japan’s Warrior Society Samurai followed strict code of ethics, known as Bushido required samurai to be courageous, honorable, obedient, loyal Samurai had to serve, obey his lord without hesitation, Samurai who failed to obey or protect their lord were expected to commit seppuku—suicide by ritual disembowelment

Samurai Women Both men & women of samurai families learned to fight Usually only men went to war Female samurai also had to follow Bushido were prepared to die to protect home, family honor Samurai women were honored in Japanese society could inherit property allowed to participate in business

Shoguns In the 12th century clans competed for power There was still an emperor, but he had little power The Minamoto family defeated rival clans to become Japan’s most powerful clan 1192, clan leader Minamoto Yoritomo forced the emperor to name him shogun, Japan’s supreme military leader The Shogun ruled in emperor’s name shoguns ruled Japan for nearly 700 years

Threats Mongol invasions of the 13th century weakened the Shogunate In 1338, Shogunate was overthrown With the loss of centralized rule, Japan splintered into competing factions.

Conflict Numerous local daimyo (powerful warlords) gained control of territories and battled for power built large fortified castles to defend lands samurai (usually on horseback) made up their armies also began to use peasants as foot soldiers In 1543, the Portuguese introduced firearms. Some samurai refused to use them and died wielding swords against rifles

New Order In the 16th century three strong daimyo worked to take control of Japan Oda Nobunaga first to arm soldiers with guns, defeated opponents easily By his death in 1582, he controlled half of Japan. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Oda’s greatest general by 1590 controlled most of Japan Tokugawa leyasu Gained complete control of all Japan In 1603, the emperor made Tokugawa shogun began the Tokugawa Shogunate

The Tokugawa Shogunate Strong Central Government Tokugawa leyasu established his capital at Edo, which is now Tokyo Established a strong central government Created a period of relative unity, peace and stability Tokugawa Rule closely controlled the daimyo, who still held local power Required the daimyo to live in Edo periodically, and leave their families there year-round as “hostages”

The Tokugawa Shogunate Stability and peace brought prosperity to Japan agricultural production rose population and cities grew economic activity increased new roads linked main cities, improving trade

Society Under Tokugawa rule, Japan’s strict feudal system more rigid Emperor - only a figurehead Shogun - held real power as military ruler Daimyo - owed shogun loyalty Samurai - served daimyo Three Lower Classes Peasants, artisans, merchants

Lower Classes Members of lower classes could not rise in social status Peasants made up vast majority—about 80 percent of Japan’s population enjoyed relatively high status, just below samurai However, peasants paid most of the taxes, led hard lives Artisans were below peasants Merchants were at the bottom of society - did not produce anything women’s status gradually declined Had to obey the male head of household absolutely

Relations with the West The prosperity of the Tokugawa Period went hand in hand with Japan’s increasing contact with Europeans. Initially the Japanese welcomed European traders and missionaries They brought new ideas, products and technologies. Trade with Europe boosted Japan’s economy Christian missionaries changed Japanese society Many Japanese became Christian samurai could be heard chanting Christian prayers in battle

Relations with the West Isolation Over time Tokugawa shoguns grew concerned with the spread of Christianity began to persecute Christians and kill missionaries Also began to restrict foreign trade & travel Banned building large ships By 1650, Japan had shut its doors to all Europeans except the Dutch – “Closed Country Policy” Japan continued this policy for more than 200 years.

Culture Art and Literature In art, colorful woodblock prints called Ukiyo-e, “pictures of the floating world,” became popular In literature, realistic stories became popular, as well as form of poetry called haiku Three lines with 17 syllables (5/7/5) many haiku deal with themes of nature & harmony ''Clouds now and again  give a soul some respite from  moon-gazing—behold.'' ''An old pond—  a frog tumbles in—  the sound of water.''

Culture Theater Noh drama developed in the 1300s Noh plays told stories through use of masks, stylized dance, music (slow, no action) kabuki started in the 1600s new type of theatre with more action, plot, humor Women initially performed kabuki, but were later banned and replaced by men