Feudalism in Japan The color is white

Background The ancestors of present Japan settled in the location of the modern cities of Osaka and Kyoto Their society was made up of clans, which in turn were divided into a small aristocratic class (the rulers) and a large population of rice farmers, artisans, and household servants. The local ruler protected the population in return for the share of the harvest

Japanese Civilization Shaped by borrowing cultural ideas from China Centralized government based roughly on the Chinese model Eventually the ruler of the strongest clan achieved supremacy over the others and became the ruler of Japan

Three Aspects of Japanese Civilization Location Geography Cultural Adaptations from China

Location, Location, Location Japan benefited from its location Close enough to China to be influenced by its culture Far enough away to be able to still be independent

Japan’s Geography Japan is a chain of many islands The population is concentrated on four main islands The islands have few natural resources – very little coal and oil Mostly mountainous Only 11% of the land can be farmed Mountains are volcanic in origin

Map of Japan

Cultural Adaptations from China During the late 400’s, Japan began to be heavily influenced by the Chinese culture Copied and improved on the Chinese form of government Buddhism reached the islands Japanese emperors sent people to China to learn Adopted the Chinese system of writing Adopted painting and art techniques.

Nobles Assert Power The early part of Japan’s history was held by Emperors From 795 – 1185 Japan’s noble family ruled the country This era was the peak of Japanese culture Overtime, however the power of the emperor declined and the nobles with large land holdings began to assert their power These powerful landowners (Lords) began to play on these powers

The Turn to Military Force Lords hired private armies to protect and provide security Called Samurai

Samurai Means “those who serve” Trained solders used to protect lords from attack by other lords Fought on horseback, clad in helmet, armor, and a sword and bow Lived by a strict code of honor called Bushido

Picture of a Samurai

Feudal Society (Warrior Society) By the end of the 12 th century rivalries among the Japanese aristocratic families had led to almost constant civil wars One of the lords, Minamoto Yoritomo, proved to be the most powerful in Japanese Society The Emperor named him the SHOGUN, or superior general of the emperor’s army. Emperor remained in power, the real power was held by the shogun that ran the country The Feudal society remained in Japan from around 1200 – 1800.

Japanese Feudal Class System King Shogun Damiyo (Heads of Noble Families) Samurai Peasants Merchants/Artisans

Samurai video