Aim: Was Feudalism in Japan similar to European Feudalism? Do Now: What do you know about Japan?

I Geography of Japan Japan is an archipelago east of Korea. It consists of 1000s of islands, but 4 main ones. Japan lies on a fault line, and is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire (a circle of volcanic activity in the Pacific Ocean). Japan is very mountainous. Its tallest mountain is Mount Fuji. Only 20% of Japanese land is arable (suitable for farming). Japan’s main natural resources are seafood and rice. The Mongols attacked Japan in 1274 and 1281. Both times their ships were stopped by strong kamikaze winds! Mt. Fuji Rice Paddy

Above is the attempted invasion of Japan by the Mongols (during the Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century). 2. Look at the physical map on the left. How close is Japan to Russia today?

Pacific Ring of Fire On March 11 2011, Japan experienced a devastating earthquake, causing mass destruction. However, Japan is a leader in geothermal energy (from magma under the Earth’s crust).

II Early Japan (300 – 710 CE) A) Early Japanese were hunters and gatherers. They were controlled by clans (small political group based on family ties, often led by an elder). B) The traditional Japanese religion was Shinto (worship of kami; forces in nature; a form of animism). C) Through cultural diffusion, early Japanese culture absorbed many Chinese traditions and ideas including Confucianism, Buddhism, art, architecture, and a system of writing. D) By 400 CE Japan was united under an emperor, with the capital at Nara. The first sumo wrestling matches were performed in honor of the gods, in hopes of a good harvest. A Shinto Shrine

Taika Reforms The Taika reforms were a massive administrative, social, and agrarian movement in Japan. The Taika refrom began after Japan just went through a power shift from the Soga clan to the emperor and the founder of the Fujiwara clan, Nakatomi Kamatari. To secure and unite the nation under imperial rule, a massive program was to be undertaken to reorganize the government. In the New Year of 646, four edicts were proclaimed: The aristocrats must give up their hereditary lands and all their serfs would be placed under government control. The establishment of an imperial capital and also to place a system of provinces and districts. Provincial officials had to make a census on population, land ownership, tax collection. Establishment of local militias.

Taika Reforms Continued… There were some abuses: 1. Taxes became higher and higher as time went by. 2. The aristocrats were not obliged to pay any taxes on the lands that they owned. These resulted to a gap between the rich and the poor. 3. Working in the government was based on birth and not by merit.

III The Heian Period A) 794 CE Kyoto became the new capital of Japan. B) 9th century poets began to write in Japanese instead of in Chinese. C) Lady Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Genji 1000 CE. *The world’s 1st known fictional novel! It is about Genji, the son of the Emperor during the Heian period. It describes in detail the differences between the nobles and the commoners. Heian Court Dress

IV Feudal Japan A) By the 9th century CE, the power of the Emperor declined. Feudalism became the dominant form of government in Japan. Emperor Shogun Land - Shoen Loyalty Land - Shoen Daimyo Daimyo Loyalty Samurai Samurai Samurai Food Protection Peasant Peasant Peasant Peasant

Feudal Japan Continued… Emperor: The divine head of society, who held no real power. Lived at Kyoto. Shogun: The emperor’s military deputy, who held real power over Japan. Lived at Edo. Daimyo Lords: who held power over their own land, under the control of the shogun. Samurai: Warriors, most of whom enjoyed high social status but had very little power. Loyal to their daimyo. Farmers, Artisans Merchants: People who traded goods. They occupied the lowest rung of society, as Confucianism viewed them as not contributing to society.

Feudal Japan Continued… B) The Samurai followed the Code of Bushido “Way of the Warrior” 1. Honor 2. Bravery 3. Loyalty 4. Simplicity 5. If a Samurai displeased his master or lost a battle, he may practice seppuku (ritual suicide) so he will not lose honor.

Osaka Castle

Samurai Armor

V Gempei Wars 1180 – 1185 CE The Gempei Wars was a civil war between the Taira and Minamoto clans that resulted in the Minamoto’s establishment of the Kamakura shogunate, a military dictatorship that dominated Japan from 1192 to 1333. The Gempei War thus lies at the foundations of the 650-year era of the shogunate system, which was essentially a military rule with the emperor serving as a figurehead. Establishing the shogunate system was a major step in the Japanese people's consolidation as one nation. – newworldencyclopedia.com Grave of Minamato

Zen literally means “meditation”. VI Zen Buddhism A) Zen Buddhism began in China in the 6th century. It was greatly influenced by Taoism; Zen Buddhists have a great respect for nature. It became popular in Japan by the 12th century. B) Zen Buddhism greatly influenced Japanese culture. 1. Zen Buddhism requires a strict mental focus and discipline, which reinforced the Code of Bushido 2. Zen Buddhist Gardens were built as places for meditation and beauty 3. Japanese Tea Ceremony: This ceremony transforms the simple act of pouring tea into a beautiful art form. 4. Haiku Poetry: Short, simple, beautiful poems. 5, 7, then 5 syllables. Zen literally means “meditation”.

Zen Garden This Zen garden was designed deliberately for the purpose of meditation. What materials were used? How were they placed?

Zen Buddhist Gardens for Every Season!

VII Korea The Korean peninsula, dwarfed by neighbor, is an extension of the Chinese mainland ruled by indigenous dynasties. Chinese influences began to filter into Korean culture when the Han conquered the Choson (Yi) Kingdom 109 BCE under Emperor Wudi , increasing Sinification (the spread of Chinese culture). Buddhism and Chinese writing was adopted, but Chinese bureaucracy never took hold, as the land owning nobles didn’t want it minimizing their own power. Silla, one of the three kingdoms of ancient Korea, in 668 unified Korea under the Silla Dynasty (668–935). The Sui dynasty of China attempted unsuccessfully to reconquer Korea. Soon afterward the more powerful Tang Dynasty was able to conquer Korea but was challenged by constant revolts. Finally the Tang emperor struck a deal with the Silla kingdom. They agreed to remove all military forces from Korea if the Silla would become vassals of the Tang dynasty and make regular tribute payments. The benefits included access to Chinese culture and universities, merchants went with emissaries to China. *This made Korea a major channel for trade and cultural diffusion.

Bibimbop and other Korean Yum Yums! The 3 Kingdoms of Korea Bibimbop and other Korean Yum Yums!

Gyeongju, Capital of the Sulla Dynasty, Korea

Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

Focus Questions Describe at least 2 ways that Japan’s geography has impacted its history and/or culture. Using a Venn diagram, compare and contrast Japanese feudalism with feudalism in Western Europe. Write your own haiku about Japan! Was Sinification in Korea more positive or negative? Can of metal, slick soft center, so cool, moistening I yearn for your salt my friend pork shoulder I return to you. this time i've brought mayonnaise

Key Vocabulary Archipelago Choson Kingdom Clans Code of Bushido Daiymo Emperor Wudi Feudalism Gempei Wars Heian Period Kamikaze womds Lady Shikibu Mt. Fuji Pacific Ring of Fire Samurai Sepukku Shinto Silla Dynasty Sinification Shogun The Tale of Genji Zen Buddhism