To protect their lands, nobles recruited samurai, professional warriors who, in return for their service, received clothing, shelter, and food from their landlord.

Also built massive stone castles. Imagawa Ryoshun stated, “As you do not understand the Arts of Peace your skill in the Arts of War will not, in the end, achieve victory.” This statement suggests that the ideal samurai was one who was as adept in literary skills as he was in martial skills.

Mongol Invasion: Kublai Khan (1274) sent army to invade Japan.

C onsisting of 900 ships and 40,000 men. Destroyed by a typhoon that the Japanese called “kamikaze” (divine winds.)

Religion: Shinto meaning “The way of the gods.” Believers strive to find beauty in “kami” (the forces of nature) Sun goddess, creator of Japan. Called the “Land of the Rising Sun.”

Zen Buddhism: Introduced by monk named Eisai. Popular among the Samurai class.

Popular because it co-existed easily with the Shinto beliefs of unity with nature.

Literature: Lady Murasaki; created “The Tale of Genji” which was the world’s first full-length novel.

Japan’s feudalism was similar to European feudalism. Both had very little social mobility.

Peasants born into lives of economic dependency. Samurai born into their roles as protectors. Daimyo born into lives of privilege. In Europe, the three groups were serfs, knights, and nobles.

One difference was the daimyo enjoyed much more power than the nobility in Europe did. With their own private armies, the daimyo, in reality, were more powerful than either the emperor or shogun.

European knight held to a code of chivalry. In Japan, the code was known as bushido, and stressed frugality, loyalty, the martial arts, and honor unto death. “seppuku” a ritual suicide. Bushido is associated with “giving up your life for the sake of the sole sovereign, or serving under the commander of the military in a time of need.”

That concludes Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. Any questions before the quiz on the next slide?