Medieval Japan
Nara Japan Founded in the 700’s Officials were organized by rank, levels, and importance. Japan did not Civil Service Examinations ▫Emperor gave jobs noble family members that they saw fit.
Carried out a Census to count all people in Japan. ▫Listed all landowners and occupations ▫This Census determined the taxes placed on different classes.
Heian Japan Founded in 794 Modeled after the Chinese Emperors did not hold a great deal of power during this time.
Shoguns and Samurai In the 800’s many Emperors power declined During this time ▫Nobles stopped paying taxes ▫Pesants were paying more taxes ▫Nobles hired private Armies called Samurai
Samurai Samurai were given land by the nobles in exchange for their services. Samurai means to serve
Shogun Position founded in 1192 Was the commander of all Japanese Military Forces.
Feudalism in Japan Seen mainly in the 1330’s DAIMYO- Military Lords in charge of the land Samurai- Vassals of the land (Worked the Land)
Religion in Japan Most believed in both Shinto and Buddhism ▫Shinto was used in people’s daily life ▫Buddhism was used in people’s belief of what was yet to come.
Zen Buddhism Focused on People’s Inner Peace. Self control Mainly controlled bodies through martial arts and meditation Worshiped in Temples.
Shinto Religion Shinto belief is that of animism which means to believe that all things have their own living spirt. Worship in Shrines
Life in Medieval Japan Borrowed many ideas from Korea and China Everything was made with two qualities Love and Beauty.
Arts in Japan Calligraphy – the art of beautiful handwriting ▫Showed a persons education, social status, and character.
Art in Japan Japanese Poetry ▫Tanka- Unrhymed poems that capture natures beauty. Murasaki Shikibu- Wrote The Tale of Genji considered the writer of the first novel in the world.
Economy and Society Japan produced a greater wealth from the farming that occurred. Mainly the Emperor, Military leaders, and Nobles benefited most from this wealth. Farmers remained poor
Economy and Society Farmers did the majority of work for the Japanese Economy. Most farmers worked the Feudal System under the Daimyo.
Economy and Society Increased Trade with China and Korea Japan traded Sword blades and Copper for Chinese and Korean Silk, Dye, pepper, books, and Porcelain.