Medieval Japan and Korea Preview Main Idea / Reading Focus Japan’s Warrior Society The Tokugawa Shogunate Medieval Korea Map: Japan and Korea Visual Study Guide / Quick Facts Video: The Impact of the Samurai Tradition on Japan Today

Medieval Japan and Korea Main Idea During the medieval period, a feudal warrior society developed in Japan, while Korea’s rulers endured invasion and turned to isolation. Reading Focus What were the key characteristics of the feudal warrior society in Japan? How did the Tokugawa Shogunate rule Japan, and in what ways did the culture flourish during the period? How did the Choson dynasty shape events in medieval Korea?

Japan’s Warrior Society By the 1100s, central government losing control of the empire Local clans fighting for power and land, no law and order Bandits roamed countryside, landowners hired armies of samurai, trained professional warriors Use of samurai, trained professional warriors, developed into feudal warrior society in Japan Similar to feudal system in Europe In exchange for allegiance, military service, noble landowners gave property, payment to samurai Feudalism and Samurai Unlike in Europe, where knights were usually paid with land grants, only most powerful samurai received land Most paid with food, usually rice Those given land did not work, live on land Payment for Samurai The samurai’s lands were worked by peasants, who gave the samurai money or food for payment each year.

Warrior Role Societal Privileges Main role of samurai, that of highly skilled warrior Wore armor, were skilled with many weapons, often fought on horseback Expected to be in fighting form all the time, ready to do battle should need arise Societal Privileges As time passed, samurai rose in status in society, enjoyed many privileges Crowds parted to let them pass when samurai walked down street People dropped eyes out of respect—and fear—because samurai had right to kill anyone who showed disrespect

Samurai Code of Ethics Discipline Zen Buddhism Samurai followed strict code of ethics, known as Bushido, “the way of the warrior” Bushido required samurai to be courageous, honorable, obedient, loyal Word samurai means “those who serve;” each had to serve, obey his lord without hesitation, even if samurai, family suffered as result Samurai who failed to obey, protect lord expected to commit seppuku—suicide by ritual disembowelment Strove to live disciplined lives Pursued activities requiring great focus, like writing poetry, arranging flowers, performing tea ceremonies Discipline Many samurai accepted Zen Buddhism Spread from China to Japan in 1100s Zen stressed discipline, meditation as ways to focus mind, gain wisdom Zen Buddhism

Both men, women of samurai families learned to fight Role of Women Both men, women of samurai families learned to fight Usually only men went to war Female samurai had to follow Bushido Were prepared to die to protect home, family honor Samurai women honored in Japanese society Could inherit property Allowed to participate in business

Rise of the Shoguns Yorimoto Shogun Rule For most of the 1100s, Japan had no strong central government. Local nobles, the heads of powerful clans, fought for power. Minamoto family defeated rival clan to become Japan’s most powerful clan 1192, clan leader Minamoto Yoritomo forced emperor to name him shogun, “general,” Japan’s supreme military leader Shogun ruled in emperor’s name Yorimoto Emperor remained at top of society, but became mere figurehead For nearly 700 years shoguns ruled Japan Yoritomo allowed emperor to hold court at Heian, later known as Kyoto Shogun formed military government at Kamakura Shogun Rule

New Threats Kamakura Shogunate Weakened Shogunate Kamakura Shogunate, military dynasty, ruled Japan until 1333 1200s, Kamakura Shogunate faced major threat—Mongols 1274, again in 1281, large Mongol fleets attacked Japan Each time Japanese defeated them, with help of powerful storm that wiped out enemy fleet Kamakura Shogunate Japanese referred to storms as kamikaze, “divine wind”; believed they showed that the gods favored Japan Mongol invasions weakened Kamakura Shogunate Many lords thought shogun had not rewarded them enough; loyalties broke down 1338, Shogunate overthrown Weakened Shogunate

Rebellion and Order Daimyo Fortifications Firepower A new shogunate took power but was too weak to gain control of Japan. With the loss of centralized rule, Japan splintered into many competing factions. Numerous local daimyo, powerful warlords with large estates, gained control of territories, battled for power Daimyo built large fortified castles to defend lands Daimyo Castles often on hills, protected by walls, surrounded by water Towns often grew up around them Daimyo began to use peasants as foot soldiers, samurai on horseback Fortifications 1543, Portuguese introduced firearms Daimyo began to arm soldiers with guns Some samurai refused to use them Died wielding swords against superior firepower Firepower

Ambitious Men Generals Take Control Tokugawa Ieyasu 1500s, three strong daimyo worked to take control of Japan Oda Nobunaga, first to arm soldiers with guns, defeated opponents easily By death in 1582, controlled half of Japan Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Oda’s greatest general, continued efforts; by 1590, controlled most of Japan Generals Take Control 1600, Tokugawa leyasu won decisive battle Gained complete control of all Japan 1603, emperor made Tokugawa shogun Event began the Tokugawa Shogunate Tokugawa Ieyasu

What features defined Japan’s feudal warrior society? Find the Main Idea What features defined Japan’s feudal warrior society? Answer(s): Samurai gave military service in exchange for property or payment; shoguns ruled in the name of the emperor; daimyo were powerful warlords.

The Tokugawa Shogunate Strong Central Government Tokugawa leyasu established capital at quiet fishing village, Edo, now Tokyo Established strong central government Tokugawa shoguns brought about period of relative unity, peace, stability Tokugawa Rule Tokugawa shoguns closely controlled daimyo, who still held local level power To keep loyal, shoguns required daimyo to live in Edo periodically, leave families there year-round as “hostages” Forced daimyo to maintain two residences; attempt to preclude from rebelling Prosperity Stability, peace of Tokugawa rule brought prosperity to Japan Agricultural production rose, population and cities grew Economic activity increased New roads linked main cities, castle towns, improving trade

Rigid Feudal System Top of Society Shogun, Daimyo Ruling Warrior Class Under Tokugawa rule, Japan’s strict feudal system more rigid At top of society, emperor Only a figurehead Shogun, Daimyo Next was shogun, held real power as military ruler Below shogun, daimyo—owed shogun loyalty Ruling Warrior Class Under daimyo, samurai who served them Emperor, shogun, daimyo, samurai made up ruling warrior class Three Lower Classes Below ruling warrior class were three classes Peasants, artisans, merchants

Lower Classes Rules Peasants Honor and Some Status Members of lower classes could not rise in social status Could not serve in military or government, or hold government positions that might challenge power of warrior class Peasants Peasants made up vast majority—about 80 percent—of Japan’s population Forbidden to do anything but farming Supported selves by growing rice, other crops on daimyo, samurai estates Honor and Some Status In Japan, farming considered honorable trade Peasants enjoyed relatively high status, just below samurai However, peasants paid most of taxes, led hard lives

Artisans and Merchants Below peasants were artisans Artisans often lived in castle towns; made goods like armor, swords Merchants at bottom of society Not honored because did not produce anything Merchants often grew wealthy Could use wealth to improve social position During Tokugawa period, women’s status gradually declined Many led restricted lives Had to obey male head of household absolutely Even samurai class women lost many rights, freedoms Women Role of male samurai changed Peace put many out of work Not allowed to engage in trade Many ronin—masterless samurai—fell on hard times Some became farmers, others warriors for hire, still others bandits Male Samurai

Relations with the West The prosperity of the Tokugawa Period went hand in hand with Japan’s increasing contact with Europeans. Initially the Japanese welcomed European traders and missionaries and the new ideas, products and technologies that they brought. Trade with Europe boosted Japan’s economy Christian missionaries changed Japanese society Many Japanese became Christian; soon samurai could be heard chanting Christian prayers in battle Changes Over time Tokugawa shoguns grew concerned with spread of Christianity; began to persecute Christians, kill missionaries Also began to restrict foreign trade, travel Banned building large ships Period of Isolation By 1650, Japan had shut its doors to all Europeans except the Dutch. Japan continued this policy for more than 200 years.

Feudal Culture Art and Literature Theater Japan’s growing cities became centers of culture during the feudal period. In art, colorful woodblock prints called Ukiyo-e, “pictures of the floating world,” became popular In literature, realistic stories became popular, as well as form of poetry called haiku Three lines with 17 syllables; many haiku deal with themes of nature, harmony Art and Literature In theater, Noh drama developed, 1300s Slow-moving Noh plays told stories through use of masks, stylized dance, music 1600s, new type of theatre with more action, plot, humor—kabuki Women initially performed kabuki, but later banned and replaced by men Theater

What changes did Tokugawa rulers impose on Japanese society? Summarize What changes did Tokugawa rulers impose on Japanese society? Answer(s): They required daimyos to live in Edo periodically and make expensive processions, some family members were kept hostage in Edo, a strict social structure was maintained, and they isolated Japan from outsiders.

Medieval Korea In 1392, powerful general, Yi Song-gye gained control of Korea Established Choson kingdom Choson, or Yi, dynasty became one of Korea’s longest ruling dynasties Lasted until 1910 Formed government based on Confucianism

Japan and China as Foes Prosperity and War Hermit Kingdom During this period, Korea prospered Produced many cultural achievements, including creation of Korean alphabet Late 1500s, Japan invaded twice Koreans held off Japanese using ironclad warships with cannons; also received help from Ming China Prosperity and War Fighting with Japan left Korea in ruins Early 1600s, Chinese invaded By 1640s, Korea had become vassal state to Qing dynasty in China As result, Choson kings increasingly isolated Korea, except for trade with China In West, Korea became known as “Hermit Kingdom” because of isolation Hermit Kingdom

How did foreign influences both help and hurt Korea? Analyze How did foreign influences both help and hurt Korea? Answer(s): helped—Korea's government was formed on Confucianism, which was a foreign influence; harmed—Chinese and Japanese invaded Korea

Video The Impact of the Samurai Tradition on Japan Today Click above to play the video.