Feudal Japan A.D. 300 TO A.D. 1500

Early Japan Yayoi, ancestors of Japanese, buried their chiefs in Kofun, or large mounds of dirt. The Jomon were early settlers to Japan that made pottery and lived from fishing. Prince Shotoku used China’s government as a pattern for the Japanese government and created the world’s first known constitution (plan for government). Shinto literally means ‘way of the spirits” Jimmu the Yamoto leader took the title of emperor of heaven” A shrine is considerd to be a holy place. Animism is the belief that all things have a spirit! Clans are Japanese families that are related by blood or marriage.

Yamato Period: 300-710 “Great Kings” era 4 Islands: Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Hokkaido Nara Period: Emperors power came from ownership of land and crops. Began promoting the adoption of Chinese culture: Confucianism. Language (kanji characters). Buddhist sects. Chinese art & architecture. Government structure. “Great Kings” era

Prince Shotoku: 573-621 pg.488 Adopted Chinese culture and Confucianism. Buddhist sects allowed to develop. Created a new government structure: 17 Article Constitution in 604. 

Heian Period: 794-1156 pg.493 Characteristics: Growth of large landed estates. Arts & literature of China flourished. Elaborate court life [highly refined] ETIQUETTE.  Personal diaries The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon [10c] Great novel The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikibu [1000 pgs.+]  Moving away from Chinese models in religion, the arts, and government. 

Heian Period: Cultural Borrowing Chinese writing. Chinese artistic styles. Buddhism [in the form of ZEN]. BUT, not the Chinese civil service system! 

Heian Court Dress

The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon (diary)

The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon (diary)

Tale of Genji (first novel)

Tale of Genji Scroll (first novel)

Lady Murasaki Shikibu pg. 501-502 She contributed much to the Japanese script known as kana, while men wrote with Chinese characters, kanji.

Founded the Kamakura Shogunate: 1185-1333 (page 495) Minamoto Yoritomo Founded the Kamakura Shogunate: 1185-1333 (page 495)

The emperor reigned, but did not always rule! Feudal Society

Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service. Japan: Shogun Land - Shoen Loyalty Land - Shoen Daimyo Daimyo Loyalty Samurai Samurai Samurai Food Protection Peasant Peasant Peasant Peasant

Code of Bushido Fidelity Politeness Virility Simplicity

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

Full Samurai Attire

Samurai Sword

Early Mounted Samurai Warriors

Underpinnings: Basic Steps in Self Defense A COTTON BREECH CLOUT that extended up over the chest was the basic undergarment of a samurai’s costume A SHORT SLEEVED KIMONO, or “armor robe,” was tied snugly at the waist with a special knot (lower right)

BILLOWING PANTALOONS,worn over the armor robe, fitted loosely in the legs to allow freedom of movement AN EXQUISITE BROCADE, richly worked with a design of peonies, was one of the extravagant materials used in an armor robe that may have been made for a 14th Century imperial prince STURDY SHINGUARDS of cloth or leather were reinforced with strips of iron to give protection from the front

Samurai Charging

Modern-Day “Samurai Warriors”

Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service. Europe: King Land - Fief Loyalty Land - Fief Lord Lord Loyalty Knight Knight Knight Food Protection Peasant Peasant Peasant Peasant

Code of Chivalry Justice Loyalty Defense Courage Faith Humility Nobility

Medieval Warriors vs. European knight Samurai Warrior

Medieval Warriors vs. Knight’s Armor Samurai Armor

Zen Buddhism pg. 499 A Japanese variation of the Mahayana form of Buddhism, which came from India through China. It reinforced the Bushido values of mental and self-discipline.

4,400 ships and 140,000 men, but kamikaze winds stopped them. Mongol “Invasions” of Japan 4,400 ships and 140,000 men, but kamikaze winds stopped them.

Ashikaga Age: 1338-1573 Shoguns fought for power. Laws are unclear. Less efficient than the Kamakura. Armies of samurai protected the country. 

C A S T L E S

Osaka Castle

Main Gate of Hiroshima Castle

Caernorfon Castle, Wales

1. Around A. D. 500, the ____ religion came to Japan from Korea 1. Around A.D. 500, the ____ religion came to Japan from Korea. (Buddhist) 2. In 1192, the newly appointed ____ created two governments in Japan. (Shogun) 3. When the Mongols attacked the Kamakura shogunate in the 1200s, a(n) ____ helped the Japanese to defeat them. (Typhoon) 4. Young samurai studied martial arts, astronomy, and (math). 5. A Japanese warrior who pledged loyalty to a powerful military lord (Vassal) 6. A powerful Japanese military lord (Daimyo) 7. The commander of the Japanese military forces (shogun) 8. “One who serves” or (Samurai) 9. What is the bond of loyalty between a lord and a vassal (feudalism)