Vocabulary Tokugawa Ieyasu Zen Shogun Daimyo Samurai Bushido SS.2.3.HS.21

Japan’s Feudal Age 2SS.2.3.HS.2

Japanese Feudalism Emerges Power struggles erupted in Japan – Warrior aristocracy dominated society Emperor was head of Japanese feudal society – Powerless – just a figurehead Shogun – supreme military commander – Shogunate established in 1192 – First of three military dynasties – 700 years 3SS.2.3.HS.2

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The World of Warriors Shogun distributed land to vassals – Vassals gave military support in times of need Shogun (daimyo) – Lesser lords known as samurai Means those who serve – Fighting aristocracy (knights) SS.2.3.HS.25

Samurai Heavily armed and trained in fighting skills Developed their own code of values (bushido) – Honor – Bravery – Absolute loyalty to one’s lord If you betrayed bushido, expected to commit ritual suicide rather than live without honor. SS.2.3.HS.26

Status of Noblewomen Early feudal era- women became warriors and managed family estates. Women’s status declined over time. Samurai code did not set women on a pedestal – Women were subservient to men SS.2.3.HS.27

Peasants, Artisans, and Merchants All ranked below samurai Peasants – 75% of population – Cultivated rice and other crops – Some served as foot soldiers Rare to move up to samurai Artisans – Provided necessary goods for samurai class Swords, armor, etc. Merchants were the lowest class SS.2.3.HS.28

Mongol Invasions Most fighting took place between rival warlords Mongols conquered China and Korea – Threatened Japan Two invasion attempts were stopped by typhoons Japanese credited kamikaze winds (divine winds) – Reinforced Japanese sense they enjoyed special protections from the gods. SS.2.3.HS.29

Order and Unity under the Tokugawas Kamakura shogunate collapsed after Mongol invasion Japan was united under the daimyo Tokugawa – Becoming master of Japan – Ruled Japan until 1868 SS.2.3.HS.2 10 Tokugawa Ieyasu

Centralized Feudalism Tokugawa shoguns ended feudal warfare Kept the outward forms of feudalism but imposed a central government control on all Japan. Great lords were required to live in the capital every other year – Wife and children kept in capital all the time – Created a powerful check on power SS.2.3.HS.211

Centralized Feudalism Women faced grater restrictions under the Tokugawas Decree “however good looking a wife may be, if she neglects her household duties by drinking tea or sightseeing or rambling the hillside, she must be divorced” Freedom was strictly regulated. SS.2.3.HS.212

Economic Growth Shoguns tried to hold back social change – Economy boomed in spite of it. Peace created improved agriculture Food surpluses increased population – Cities sprang up around castles – New roads linked castle towns SS.2.3.HS.213

Merchants Confucian tradition – merchants were of low social status Gained influence by lending money to daimyo and samurai Improved social status by arranging marriage of daughters into samurai class. SS.2.3.HS.214

Zen Buddhism and Japanese Culture Zen – emphasized meditation and devotion to duty Zen monks – contradictory traditions – Great scholars – Stressed importance of ‘non- knowing’ Stressed compassion for all – yet samurai fought to kill all SS.2.3.HS.215

Questions What groups or individuals held the most power in feudal Japan? What values did the bushido emphasize? Describe three results of the centralized feudalism imposed by the Tokugawas. SS.2.3.HS.216