Japan 600-1750

Key Concept 4.1. Globalizing Networks of Communication and Exchange VII. As merchants’ profits increased and governments collected more taxes, funding for the visual and performing arts, even for popular audiences, increased. A. Innovations in visual and performing arts (such as Renaissance art in Europe, miniature paintings in the Middle East and South Asia, wood-block prints in Japan or post-conquest codices in Mesoamerica) were seen all over the world.

Key Concept 4.2. New Forms of Social Organization and Modes of Production II. As new social and political elites changed, they also restructured new ethnic, racial and gender hierarchies. B. The power of existing political and economic elites (such as the zamindars in the Mughal Empire, the nobility in Europe or the daimyo in Japan) fluctuated as they confronted new challenges to their ability to affect the policies of the increasingly powerful monarchs and leaders.

Key Concept 4.3. State Consolidation and Imperial Expansion I. Rulers used a variety of methods to legitimize and consolidate their power. A. Visual displays of political power (such as monumental architecture, urban plans, courtly literature or the visual arts) helped legitimize and support rulers.

Early Japan An aristocratic family said they were in charge Wanted to centralize Japan b/c of threat from China Used Tang policies Court system Bureaucracy Equal-field system Confucianism and Buddhism Capital at Nara Kept Shinto

Heian Japan (794-1185) Emperor moved capital to Heian in 794 Emperor was more of a figurehead rather than an actual ruler Fujiwara family was actually in charge Keeps imperial house in place even though power changes

The Tale of Genji Written by Murasaki Shikibu, a lady in waiting at Court Court Life Imperial prince cultivates refined court life, but shows the emotions of humans throughout the story

Decline Equal field system fell apart Taira and Minamoto clans gained the most land Went to war with each other and Minamoto clan won Created shogun Title given to the person really in charge, but keeps the Imperial court in place Created a new capital away from Court

Medieval Japan (1185-1543) Decentralized feudal system Provincial lords held power in local regions Militaristic culture Samurai Served provincial lords who provided for them

Tokugawa Ieyasu 1543-1616 Reigned as shogun Temporary stand-in for the emperor Established a military gov’t Called bakufu

Tokugawa Shoguns (1600-1868) Goal was for stability and avoid civil war Created longest period of peace and stability in Japanese history Continued feudal traditions Had to control the daimyo (like lords) About 260 in Japan Had their own provincial gov’t and military Some gained gunpowder weapons through Europeans

Shogun (also daimyo of Edo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagasaki) Council of Elders Samurai Daimyo (260 hans) Council of Elders Samurai Eventually, there were too many samurai, so many because scholar-bureaucrats or ronin.

Control of the Daimyo Alternate attendance (called sankin kotai) Daimyo spent money on housing in Edo No money to maintain personal military forces Shoguns started to control marriages Required daimyo to seek permission from shogun on basic matters

Social Classes (Confucian values) Imperial Court/Shogun warrior-administrators peasants/artisans 80% of the population merchants

Social Change Confucian ranking Ruling elites Peasants & artisans Merchants on the bottom Shoguns moved daimyo and samurai into gov’t positions, which lowered their social ranking They created a professional military instead Many daimyo became indebted to rice merchants Merchants became wealthy and higher ranking

Social Classes (not so Confucian values) Imperial Court/Shogun Professional military warrior-administrators merchants peasants/artisans/ronin

Economic Growth Increased agricultural production New crops, new irrigation systems, use of fertilizers Move from subsistence farming to production of cotton, sake, silk, and indigo Between 1600 and 1700 agricultural production doubled

Population Growth 1600’s population increased 1/3 Most families practiced population control to maintain raising standards of living Contraception Late marriages Abortion Infanticide Japan was land poor Some cities reached 1 million by 18th century

Control of Foreigners Edicts Japanese were not to leave Japan Couldn’t build large ships No Europeans were allowed in Japan No import of foreign books Portuguese were executed when they tried to trade Did not include Chinese

Neo-Confucianism Formal education began with Chinese language and literature Justified the shogun system Some Japanese didn’t like Neo-Confucianism “ Native Learning” emphasized folk traditions and Shinto religion

Popular Culture Merchants in the cities Called ukiyo (floating worlds) Teahouses Geisha Brothels Theaters Kabuki Puppet plays (bunraku) Wood block prints Haiku poetry

Hakusai’s “Thirty-Seven Views of Mt. Fuji”

Christianity Francis Xavier Daimyo who converted forced their subjects to as well 1580s-150,000 Christians 1615- 300,000 Christians Anti-Christian campaign Decrees Executed believers

Dutch Learning Nagasaki was the only place anyone could trade Dutch taught medicine, science, and astronomy Japanese started to compare Chinese science/medicine to western learning Realized much of Chinese info incorrect 1720, Japan lifted the ban on foreign books, except those about Christianity