Japanese Feudalism 1. Emperor-symbolic leader, descended from Shinto deities (gods) 2. Shogun- supreme military commander 3. Daimyo- local lord, supplied Samurais to Shogun 4. Samurai-warrior class 5. Farmers (Merchants were lowest class) 1 2 3 4 5

European Feudalism v. Japanese Feudalism Similarities 1. Land is exchanged for loyalty and services 2. Lords manage lands 3. Warrior Classes: Japan-Samurai Europe-Knight 4. Peasants were not valued Differences 1. Unlike King, Japanese Emperor held no military power 2. Warrior Codes Samurai- Bushido “The way of the warrior” Knight- Chivalry 3. Christianity important to Europeans 4. Seppuku- Samurai’s vow to commit suicide rather than dishonor

Feudalism-Comparing Japan to Europe Japan Europe

Order and Unity under Tokugawa 1603 and 1868 -During early Feudalism Shoguns were constantly fighting for power. -Tokugawa shoguns agreed to end warfare which created peace and stability in Japan. Shoguns Agreed to: a. Move their families to Edo (Tokyo) to eliminate bad blood b. Never repair or rebuild castles Stability leads to: peace, trade and unity allowing Japan to strengthen

Edict of 1635-Closing of Japan CLOSED COUNTRY EDICT OF 1635 1. Japanese ships are strictly forbidden to leave for foreign countries. 2. No Japanese is permitted to go abroad. If there is anyone who 
attempts to do so secretly, he must be executed. The ship so involved must 
be impounded and its owner arrested, and the matter must be reported to 
the higher authority. 3. If any Japanese returns from overseas after residing there, he must be 
put to death. 4. If there is any place where the teachings of padres (Christian priests) is practiced, the two of you must order a thorough investigation. 5. Any informer revealing the whereabouts of the followers of padres 
must be rewarded accordingly. If anyone reveals the whereabouts of a high 
ranking padre, he must be given one hundred pieces of silver. For those of 
lower ranks, depending on the deed, the reward must be set accordingly. 6. If a foreign ship has an objection [to the measures adopted] and it 
becomes necessary to report the matter to Edo, you may ask the Omura domain to provide ships to guard the foreign ship. . . . 7. If there are any Southern Barbarians who propagate the teachings of padres, or otherwise commit crimes, they may be incarcerated in the 
prison. . . . 8. All incoming ships must be carefully searched for the followers of 
padres.

Result of Japanese Isolationism Pax Tokugawa 1. Increase in agricultural activity 2. Merchants became wealthy 3. Education spread 4. Developed a money economy 5. Cities/towns grew 6. Kabuki theatre 7. Haiku poetry