Feudal Japan

Japan's isolation as an island nation has been instrumental in its development as a culture. By 500 BC it was still an undeveloped agrarian culture without cities. Outside influences which led to cultural advancement included (1) contacts with and importing of Chinese culture, especially in the areas of weaving, metals, art and government Background of Japan Japan's isolation as an island nation Instrumental in its development as a culture By 500 BCE it was still an undeveloped agrarian (farm based) culture without cities Outside influences which led to cultural advancement included...

Background Japan comes from “ri-ben” – land of the rising sun Borrowed ideas, institutions, & culture from China 4,000 islands make up the archipelago 4 large islands 1 B.C. = hundred of clans Worshiped local gods Shinto “way of the gods” Respect nature (kami) & worship ancestors

Draw a Castle… Compare it to the ones in Feudal Japan

Warwick Castle, England

Feudal Japan

Japanese Traditional Castle

Japanese Culture Buddhism: Chinese culture: Brought by Korean travelers Mixed with Shinto Some Buddhist rituals became Shinto rituals Chinese culture: 607, Prince Shotoku sent 1/3 missions to China Adopted Chinese system of writing Painting styles Simple arts: cooking, gardening, tea, hairdressing Strong central government Civil Service System failed

Prince Shotoku: 573-621 Adopted Chinese culture and Confucianism Buddhist sects allowed to develop Created a new government structure: 17 Article Constitution in 604 

Heian Period: 794-1156 Characteristics: Growth of large landed estates Arts & literature of China flourished Elaborate court life Etiquette Personal diaries The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon Great novel The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikibu Moving away from Chinese models in religion, the arts, and government

Heian Court Dress

The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon (diary)

The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon (diary)

Tale of Genji (first novel) Account of the life of a prince in the imperial court – considered the world’s first novel

Feudalism Erodes Imperial Authority Rich Fujiwara family in power Strong central gov’t challenged by great landowners & clan chiefs Private armies; countryside became lawless Farmers & small landowners traded land for protection – warlords

Samurai Warriors!!! Wars between rival lords  bodyguard warriors of each lord Samurai = one who serves Code of behavior: Bushido The way of the warrior Reckless courage Reverence for the gods Fairness Generosity towards the weaker Honorable death > long life

Samurai Warrior Attire

Samurai Sword

Early Mounted Samurai Warriors

Samurai Charging

Seppuku was originally reserved only for samurai Seppuku ("stomach-cutting") is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. Seppuku was originally reserved only for samurai Part of the samurai honor code Used: Voluntarily to die with honor rather than fall into the hands of their enemies Form of capital punishment after serious offenses For reasons that shamed them Seppuku is performed by plunging a sword into the abdomen and moving the sword left to right in a slicing motion

Founded the Kamakura Shogunate: 1185-1333 Minamoto Yoritomo 2 most powerful clans fight for power 30 years of war Minamoto family wins Leader: Yoritomo Deemed “Shogun” Supreme general of the emperor’s army Powers of a military dictator Founded the Kamakura Shogunate: 1185-1333

Kamakura Shogunate Emperor still ruled in Kyoto Real power = Shogun’s military headquarters at Kamakura Shoguns ruled through puppet emperors until 1868! Kamakura Shoguns defeated 2 invasions by the great Mongol ruler Kublai Khan Drained shogun’s funds Samurais did not get paid Aligned more closely with lords Shoguns lost power

Japanese Feudal System Emperor Shogun Samauri Merchants Peasants

Feudal Hierarchy Emperor – Japanese political ruler Shogun – Had the powers of a military dictator; Ruled Japan through puppet emperors Samurai – loyal warriors of local lords Merchant - Facilitated trade, earliest beginnings of the Japanese economic system Peasant – Worked the land which belonged to the local lords

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