1. Bell Ringer
What role did Genghis Khan play in the Mongol empire?

2. The Emergence of Japan
Essential Question: What similarities and differences existed between the social and political systems of Europe and Japan in the Middle Ages?

3. Geography of Japan Japan = archipelago – chain of islands.
Seas have both protected and isolated Japan.
Ring of Fire – earthquakes / tsunamis

4. Early Traditions Shinto The Korean Bridge
Early Japanese clans honored kami, or nature spirits.
The Korean Bridge
Language closely connected
Korean missionaries introduced Buddhism to Japan

5. Chinese Influence
Japan sent students, monks, and government officials to learn from China
Spread Confucianism and language
Revised Chinese systems – added kana, or phonetic symbols representing syllables.

6. The Heian Period
From 794 to 1185, the imperial capital was in present-day Kyoto.
Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Genji which was the world’s first full-length novel.
Written by women
Local warlords formed armed bands loyal to them rather than to the emperor.

7. Japanese Feudalism Emerges
The emperor was just a figurehead
Real power lay in the hands of the shogun, or supreme military commander.
The shogun distributed land to vassal lords who agreed to protect them.
These warrior lords were called daimyo.

8. Japanese Feudalism Emerges
Daimyo, in turn, granted land to lesser warriors called samurai.
Heavily armed and trained in the skills of fighting.
Bushido – Code of values emphasized honor, bravery, and absolute loyalty to one’s lord. A.k.a – “way of the warrior”

9. Japanese Feudalism Emerges
Due to Confucian values:
Peasants formed the backbone of feudal society
Merchants had the lowest rank in Japanese feudal society
The role of women steadily declined

10. Japanese Feudalism Emerges
Early in feudal society some noblewomen were trained in military arts, some even became legendary warriors.
When feudal warfare increased, inheritance became limited to sons.
Women were not put on a pedestal
Wife of a warrior had to accept the same hardships as her husband
Owed the same loyalty to the overlord

11. Mongol Invasions Kublai Khan launched an invasion of Japan
Two separate fleets of Mongol troops were wrecked by typhoons.
The Japanese credited their good fortune to the kamikaze, or divine winds.

12. Essential Question
What similarities and differences existed between the social and political systems of Europe and Japan in the Middle Ages?

13. Review
Traditional religion of Japan which focused on kami, or nature spirits

14. Review
Literally meaning “the way of the warrior” – code of conduct of the Samurai

15. Review
This person was the most powerful person in Japan.

16. Review
The least important social group in Japan

17. Review
Divine winds that saved the Japanese from Mongol invasion.

18. Review
The world’s first full length novel written by Murasaki Shikibu.