Ancient Japan Grade 7

Geography of Japan Lies East of China 120 miles from Korea 500 miles from China 4,000 islands make up Japanese archipelago. Close enough to be influenced by China, far enough to be safe from Invasion.

The Land of the Rising Sun Very mountainous, only 12% suitable for farming. Called by China, “Land of the Rising Sun” to the east. Close location to Korea and China will cause Japan to adopt Chinese culture.

Clans Coming Together Japan began as independent set of clans (families). Developed Shintoism-earliest Japanese religion. Based on respecting nature and worshipping ancestors, like China. Kami were divine spirits that lived in nature. Later from China, Japan will combine this with Confucianism and Buddhism.

Contact with China During 400’s, Japan increased contact with China. Korean travelers (controlled by Han) spread word of Chinese customs (during Tang China). Buddhism became accepted as Japanese religion, combined with Shintoism. Chinese writing, cooking, and rituals were adopted.

The Island Impact Because Japan was made up of islands, little land was available for farming (only about 20%). Families (clans) fought each other for control over the land. Each clan was made up of a noble chief and his relatives. To help them fight, land holding nobles called Daimyos gave land to warriors called Samurai in exchange for their loyalty. This system is called…….

Feudalism…sound familiar? The Daimyo (lord)would give land to his best samurais as a reward for service and to keep their loyalty. Samurai provided lords with protection. Japanese Knights, called Samurais, could have land of the lords in exchange for military service/protection. The Samurais were the Vassals of the warlords.

The Start of the Samurai Samurai: One who serves. Unlike in China, the Japanese found a way to control the Samurai so they wouldn’t rebel. Lived according to the strict code of Bushido: “Way of the Warrior”. Dying an honorable death was more important than a long life.

The Basics of the Bushido Code Be Loyal to your Lord Be Brave in Battle Honor your country and elders Be honest and true Be just in your actions (fair) Be benevolent or kind to others. Be polite, especially to women Be reverent, or respectful, to your leaders. How do you see influences of Buddhism and Confucianism?

Full Samurai Attire

Samurai Sword

Seppuku: Ritual Suicide It is honorable to die in this way. Kaishaku – his “seconds”

The First Japanese Empire 400 AD- The Yamamoto clan won a major victory and took control of all the clans, becoming the first empire. Claimed power from the gods (like the Mandate of Heaven) Still, lords continued to fight over who should have the most land.

Minamoto Makes His Move A Lord, Minamoto Yorimoto approached the emperor and offered to set up a military government to control the lords. The emperor gave Minamoto the title of Shogun (think guns = weapons = army) The shogun controlled the police and army. Because he had the army, he held the real power in Japan, not the emperor. The Shogun began giving land in exchange for loyalty to lords. These lords gave land to their Samurai to control the land.

Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service. Japan: Shogun Land - Shoen Loyalty Daimyos Land - Shoen War Lords Loyalty Samurai Samurai Samurai Food Protection Peasant Peasant Peasant Peasant

The Mighty Army The emperor was the head of the country but…. The REAL ruler was the Supreme General of the Army, called the Shogun. Ruled as a military dictator with the power of the army behind him, passed his title to a family member. Period of rule was called the Shogunate. Shoguns ruled Japan from 1190 through 1860!

Connections to Today Japan, Korea and China still have very similar cultures because of their close contact. Shoguns will rule Japan until 1913! Even today, they STILL have an emperor. Even though there are no more Samurai’s, the Bushido code was around so long, it transferred to soldiers. We saw this when we fought Japan in WWII. They were never willing to give up. Buddhism is still the major religion of Japan, spread from China and Korea.