Japan’s Feudal Period In this lesson, students will define the following terms: Feudalism Shogun Daimyo Samurai Ronin Peasants Artisans Merchants Eta Hinin

Japan is a group of islands off the coast of Asia, east of the Korean peninsula.

The Emperor Loses Power By the 1100s, the emperor of Japan’s power was greatly weakened by civil war. Noble families refused to pay taxes to the emperor. They grew rich and bought much land. Eventually, one noble family grew more powerful than any other.

Noble families did not want to obey the emperor. They wanted power.

Feudalism A system of feudalism, similar to that found in European feudalism, arose in Japan. In a feudal society, land is exchanged for military service. Japanese lords gave away some of their land to other people in exchange for loyalty and military service.

Do You remember European feudalism?

Structure of Feudal Japan

His Imperial Majesty AKIHITO EMPEROR Emperor Emperor and imperial family highest on social ladder Religious leader Direct descendant of Amaturasu Omikami Figurehead (leader in name only) No political Power Under control of Shogun’s clan ALL classes of society provided for Emperor and his court. Emperor still exists today His Imperial Majesty AKIHITO 125th Emperor of Japan

Structure of Feudal Japan Figurehead Emperor

Shogun Shogun Miltary Leader Highest in warrior class Clans fought to acquire this status Political Leader Those of other classes under him provided for his needs Shogun gave protection and privileges Portion of land Produce on land

Structure of Feudal Japan Figurehead Emperor Shogun

Daimyo Daimyo Part of warrior class Means “Great Names” Shogun’s representatives Ran estates according to shogun’s rules Swords most valuable possessions Used often to demonstrate loyalty to Shogun Lived in huge castles surrounded by moats

Structure of Feudal Japan Figurehead Emperor Shogun Daimyos

Samurai Samurai Professional warriors Loyal to shogun and Daimyos Lived in Daimyos castles Fairly high social status but little political power Needs met by lower classes than them Satsuma Samurai

Structure of Feudal Japan Figurehead Emperor Shogun Daimyos Samurai

Ronin Ronin Wandering Samurai Had no Daimyo Paid soldiers Worked as body guards for rich merchants Paid soldiers during civil wars Low social class No political power Depended on others for economic well-being

Structure of Feudal Japan Figurehead Emperor Shogun Bushi Warrior Class Daimyos Samurai Ronin

Peasants Peasants Largest class Included farmers and fishermen Low social status No political power VERY poor Valued because they produced food for all other classes Often made material for clothing Paid taxes with rice and work Had to pay 2/3 of year’s crop to upper classes Often starved

Structure of Feudal Japan Figurehead Emperor Shogun Bushi Warrior Class Daimyos Samurai Ronin 90% of population Peasants

Artisans Artisans Craftspeople who made variety of products Cooking pots Fish hoods Farm tools Theatre Ship anchors swords Great sword makers highly respected On whole, however, artisans not as respected as peasants because they didn’t produce food

Structure of Feudal Japan Figurehead Emperor Shogun Bushi Warrior Class Daimyos Samurai Ronin 90% of population Peasants Artisans

Merchants Merchants Sold goods and produce made by others Very low social status Produced nothing of value and lived off the efforts of others’ work Often made to live in separate locations Not allowed to mix with other classes except to do business

Structure of Feudal Japan Figurehead Emperor Shogun Bushi Warrior Class Daimyos Samurai Ronin 90% of population Peasants Artisans Merchants

Eta Eta Means “full of filth Discrimination because of Buddhist prohibitions against killing and Shinto concepts of pollution. originally discriminated against because they were butchers, leather workers, grave-diggers, tanners, executioners Seen as hereditary Still discriminated against today

Structure of Feudal Japan Figurehead Emperor Shogun Bushi Warrior Class Daimyos Samurai Ronin 90% of population Peasants Artisans Lowest Class Merchants Eta

Hinin Hinin Means “Nonhuman” Not hereditary, but punitive (punishment) Was very extremely small chance you could get out of this class…if you were pardoned…but this is highly highly unlikely.

Figurehead Shogun Bushi Daimyos Samurai Ronin 90% of population Emperor Shogun Bushi Warrior Class Daimyos Samurai Ronin 90% of population Peasants Artisans Lowest Class Merchants Eta Hinin