AIM: To what extent did feudalism affect Japanese society? Do Now: What was feudalism?

Feudalism – n Feudalism is an economic/political system that relies on the interdependence of the social classes. There is little to no social mobility. Each social class has a specific role to fulfill so that society runs smoothly. Weak central government.

Key Idea Japanese society was highly structured during their feudal times. Objectives: Students will be able to define; Shogun, Daimyo and Samurai. Students will be able to identify the different social classes of feudal Japan. Students will assess how much freedom existed in Japanese society

Fief/Koku 1. The land granted by the Shogun to a Daimyo, or from a more powerful Daimyo to a less powerful Daimyo in exchange for taxes and military support.

Interdependence

Activity #1: Feudal Reading. We will read a short reading on Japanese Feudalism and answer the questions below.

Activity#2: Based on the reading, fill in the chart for the Japanese social structure.

Japanese Social Structure

Emperor The Emperor (天皇, tennō?, literally "heavenly emperor“) of Japan is the symbol of the state and of the unity of the Japanese people. He is also the highest authority of the Shinto religion. He has no real power.

Emperors Jimmu Akihito (1933-???)

Shogun Shogun (将軍, shōgun?) is a military rank and historical title for Hereditary Commanders in Chief of the Armed Forces of Japan. Shoguns were the real rulers of Japan. Only someone from the Daimyo class could become Shogun. The emperor could choose a Shogun. Japan sometimes went over 100 years without one.

3 Shogunates Kamakura shogunate (1192–1333) Ashikaga shogunate (1336–1573) Tokugawa shogunate (1603–1867)

Daimyo is a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in premodern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings. Japanese lords/nobles.

Samurai is the term for the military nobility of early Japan. They followed a set of written rule called “Bushido”. Bushido offers a code of conduct for how Samurai are supposed to act.

Bushido meaning "Way of the Warrior", is a Japanese code of conduct & a way of the samurai life. Originates from the samurai moral code and stresses frugality, loyalty, martial arts mastery, and honor until death.

Seppuku Ritual suicide. Only Samurai and Daimyo could commit seppuku.

Ronin a samurai with no lord or master. A samurai became masterless from the ruin or fall of his master, or after the loss of his master's favor or privilege.

Artisans is a skilled manual worker who makes items including furniture, clothing, jewelry, household items, and tools. PEASANTS: Peasants worked the land and farmed for a living. They provided food for everyone.

Merchants In Japan, merchants were seen as the lowest class of citizens as they lived off others' labour. Often they were made to live in separate parts of the village, and were not allowed to consort with other classes except when doing business.

How it worked

Shogun paid Daimyo in “Koku” of rice Shogun paid Daimyo in “Koku” of rice. Daimyo gave land to Samurai and peasants

Further Broken Down

Sometimes, Daimyo would go to war against each other!

And one might take another’s land.

But everyone answered to the Emperor

Summary Which social class would you want to be in and why?