1. Medieval Japan
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How might religious beliefs affect society, culture, and politics?

2. TEKS and Objectives We will... I will…
(24A) describe the changing roles of women, children, and families during major eras of world history (25A) summarize the fundamental ideas and institutions of Eastern Civilizations that originated in China
Describe the social and political structure of Japan during the Middle Ages

3. Geography of Japan Mountainous archipelago (chain of many islands)
Only 11% of land can be farmed
Volcanic origin = fertile soil
Prone to earthquakes
Geographically isolated

4. First Japanese Settled in Yamato Plain Society made up of clans
Two social classes
Rulers
Rice farmers, artisans, and servants

5. Shōtoku Taishi
Yamato prince who unified clans against Chinese invasion
Sent representatives to China
Created a centralized government based on Chinese model
Limited power of aristocrats; enhanced emperor’s authority
Emperor portrayed as a divine figure
Land belonged to the state
Taxes paid directly to central government

6. The Nara Period and the Heian Period
Emperor titled “Son of Heaven”
Weak government
Aristocrats kept taxes for themselves
The Heian Period
Emperor only ruled in name
Real power remained in hands of powerful families
Aristocrats took justice into their own hands

7. Samurai
Samurai: “those who serve”; Japanese warriors similar to the knights of medieval Europe
Hired by aristocrats
Protected the security and property of employers
Fought on horseback, wore helmet and armor, and carried a sword and bow
Bushido: “the way of the warrior”; the strict code by which Japanese samurai were supposed to live

8. The Kamakura Shogunate 1192-1333
Japan experienced a series of civil wars
Minamoto Yoritomo
Defeated rivals and set up power near modern-day Tokyo
Japan’s first Shogun
Shogun: “general”; a powerful military leader in Japan
Emperor remained ruler in name only
Shogun exercised actual power

9. Mongol Attacks Kublai Khan sent 23,000 troops to invade Japan in 1274
Mongol fleet sunk by a storm
Returned in 1281 with 150,000 troops
Japanese forced them to retreat
Typhoon devastated Mongolian fleet
War strained political system

10. Role of Women Had certain level of equality with men in early Japan
Guaranteed inheritance rights
Could divorce and remarry
Subordinate to men in later periods
Husband could divorce if she did not bear a son or if she committed adultery, talked too much, was jealous, or had a serious illness

11. Japanese Religion
Shinto: “the sacred way”; the Japanese state religion
Believe the Emperor is divine
Believe Japan is a sacred nation
Zen: a sect of Buddhism that became popular with Japanese aristocrats
Buddhist influence from China
Became part of the samurai’s code

12. The Emergence of Korea
Mountainous peninsula greatly influenced by China and Japan
Three kingdoms
Koguryo (north), Paekche (southwest), Silla (southeast)
Ruled by monarchies
Bitter rivals
Buddhism spread to and became official religion of all three

13. Silla Kings adopted Buddhist names and built many temples
Became more allied with China
Monarchy turned to Confucianism
Gained control of the peninsula with support of the Tang
Assassination of king led to civil war

14. Koryo Dynasty Arose in the north Mongols seized northern part of Korea
Adopted Chinese political institutions
Remained in power for 100 years
Mongols seized northern part of Korea
Remained in power by accepting Mongol rule
Much suffering for Koreans
Peasants and artisans forced to build ships of invasion of Japan
Dynasty broke down after collapse of Mongol Empire

15. Journal Entry #11
How was the feudal system of Japan similar to the feudal system of Europe? Support your answer with at least three examples.

16. TEKS and Objectives We will... I will…
(24A) describe the changing roles of women, children, and families during major eras of world history (25A) summarize the fundamental ideas and institutions of Eastern Civilizations that originated in China
Describe the social and political structure of Japan during the Middle Ages