EARLY RUSSIA FEUDAL JAPAN

The Rise of an Empire Chapter 1 Japanese call their country Nippon, which means “The origin of the sun. There are four major islands and thousands of small ones in the Japan archipelago. The largest island is Honshu, the home of the capital city of Tokyo. Japan practiced a nature religion known as Shinto. The Japanese believed in Amaterasu the goddess of the sun. They granted their emperor so much power because they believed the emperor was related to the sun goddess. The head of the Yamato clan became emperor of Japan. He called himself the son of heaven and chose the rising sun as the symbol of his empire. The Japanese used features of Korean and Chinese writing to create a writing system of their own. Korean craftsmen also taught the Japanese to make tool. Japanese learned about Buddhism from Koreans missionaries who brought the idea from China. Japan was fascinated with the mainland and all things Chinese. Japan realized that much of what they were learning from Korea was really from China. The Emperor decided to go directly to the source, China. The Rise of an Empire Chapter 1

Religion in Japan Chapter 2 Shinto – Spirit in Nature. Followers of Shinto believe that each part of nature contains a spirit. Japan’s people have celebrated their country’s beauty in poetry and art. The love of nature also lies at the heart of Shinto. Buddhism originated in India. However, the Japanese learned about Buddhism from Koreans missionaries who brought the idea from China. Buddha taught that to achieve peace one must overcome feelings of desire. By getting rid of greed, anger, and fear people could gain happiness and serenity. Buddha called this complete peace “nirvana.” Religion in Japan Chapter 2

Religion in Japan Chapter 2 continued Steps for the Eightfold Path According to Buddha there are eight things one must do to achieve peace and enlightenment-an absence of desire and suffering. Right Understanding Right Thought Right Speech Right Action Right Words Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Meditation Religion in Japan Chapter 2 continued

Japanese Feudalism Chapter 3 Shogun: Title meaning “great general” given to the strongest military leader in Japan. He held the most military and political power. A shogun had more power than an Emperor. Samurai means “those who serve.” The samurai swore to serve and protect their lords or die trying. Samurai warriors fought the wars and were like medieval knights of Europe. To become a samurai one inherited the position. Samurai were loyal to their local lords, the daimyo. Daimyos were lords who ruled over large portions of land. Bushido was a code of values for warriors. In Japan’s feudal society a merchant ranked the lowest. Japanese Feudalism Chapter 3

Everything Life and Arts Chapter 4 Kabuki and Nor were both a form of theater. Only the men performed. Haiku just written in three lines was short and simple for all to understand. Haiku spoke of nature-a part of everyone’s experience. Everything Life and Arts Chapter 4

Changes Come to Japan Chapter 5 Mongols tried to invade Japan, but a fierce storm stop them and they failed. Portuguese trade ships changed Japanese warfare by introducing to them the musket. Missionary and Priest kept coming with foreign trade ships. Ruling shogun ordered no Japanese would be permitted to practice Christianity. Shogun even used torture and execution to persuade people to abandon the religion. Japanese worried that foreigners would colonies Japan. Shoguns barred westerner’s ships from Japan’s harbor and prevent their own people from traveling abroad. Japan became known to Europe as the hermit country. Changes Come to Japan Chapter 5

Changes Come to Japan Chapter 5 July 1853 Commodore Matthew Perry forced the Japanese to sign a trade treaty. When Japan became unhappy with the shogun they turned to their Emperor. In 1867, the shogun stepped down and in 1868 a new government was formed. The emperor was restored. The new government was more interested in the world outside of Japan. The Japanese started to visit the United States and Europe. Changes Come to Japan Chapter 5