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

2. 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 Both times their ships were stopped by strong kamikaze winds!
Mt. Fuji
Rice Paddy

3. 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?

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. IV Feudal Japan Emperor Shogun Daimyo Lords Samurai Warriors Peasants
A) By the 9th century CE, the power of the Emperor declined. Feudalism became the dominant form of government in Japan.
Emperor
The emperor was a figurehead without real power.
The Shogun was the real ruler of feudal Japan, and head of the military.
Shogun
The Daimyo lords were given land in exchange for loyalty to the Shogun.
Daimyo Lords
The Samurai provided military service to the Daimyo Lords in exchange for land or food.
Samurai Warriors
Farmers had a higher social status than merchants. Confucianism had influenced Japan, and believed merchants to be useless as they did not always make the things they sold.
Peasants

8. 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 committed seppuku (ritual suicide) so he will not lose honor.
DID YOU KNOW?
A samurai always carried 3 swords. The short sword was only used for seppuku. A Samurai would be buried with his most cherished sword.
Women could be samurai!

9. Osaka Castle, Built 1583
As Daimyo lords fought with each other and gained more land, the need for bigger and stronger fortifications arose.

10. Samurai Armor
Samurai armor incorporated steel, leather, and wood plates, tied together with silk or leather cords.

11. Zen literally means “meditation”.
V 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”.

12. Japanese Tea Ceremony
The Japanese Tea Ceremony is a ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea. Every movement is choreographed, and every object is chosen to represent the season. The whole process is not about the tea, but about the entire experience!

13. Golden Buddhist Temple, Japan

14. Zen Buddhist Garden
This Zen garden was designed deliberately for the purpose of meditation.

15. Zen Buddhist Gardens for Every Season!

16. Summary
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. *Include at least 4 similarities and 4 differences.
Write your own haiku about Japan!
my friend pork shoulder I return to you. this time i've brought mayonnaise
Can of metal, slick soft center, so cool, moistening I yearn for your salt

17. Key Vocabulary
Archipelago Arable Clans Code of Bushido Daiymo Feudalism Heian Period Kamikaze womds Lady Shikibu Mt. Fuji Pacific Ring of Fire Samurai Sepukku Shinto Shogun The Tale of Genji Zen Buddhism
Gentle breezes, sun
The wild cherry blossoms bloom
Lovely spring has come!
Homework bugs me so!
How can I survive high school
If its all I do?
Both haikus above by Ms. Bugland!