1. Identify and define Japan’s geographic features.
Feudal Powers of Japan
Aim/ SWBAT:
Identify and define Japan’s geographic features.
Describe how geography influenced the social, political, and economic development of Japan.

3. I. Geography Archipelago 120 miles from Korea, 500 miles from China
4,000 islands, extended 1,2000 miles
120 miles from Korea, 500 miles from China
Climate- mild, plenty of rainfall, extremely mountainous
Typhoons, Earthquakes, and tidal waves threaten during summer months.

4. Mt. Fuji

5. II. Early Japan Many different clans worshipped own gods
This early religion later called Shinto—“the way of the gods”
Shinto worshipers respect forces of nature, ancestors, and kami
Kami—divine spirits dwelling in nature: tree, rock, waterfall

6. Shinto Shrine

7. II. The Yamato Emperors 7th Century Shotoku Taishi unified clans.
Wanted centralized gov’t, like China.
Divided ter. Into admin districts, with senior official.
All farm land belonged to the State,
all Taxes paid directly to the central gov’t.
Ruler portrayed as a divine ruler.

8. III. Power Struggle Fujiwara family becomes powerful
Threaten/Influence central authority.
Had trouble controlling the aristocrats
Unable to keep taxes for cent’l gov’t
Unable to gain $ = loss of power & influence.
**This marks the beginning of Feudalism in Japan

9. IV. The Heian Period
During most of Heian period (794–1185) rich Fujiwara family rules
In mid-1000s, large landowners build private armies, become warlords
Small landowners trade land to warlords in exchange for protection
Feudal system of local rule develops; Fujiwara family loses power

10. V. Warriors surround the Lords
Loyal warriors acted as bodyguards for the lords.
Samurai “one who serves”
Bushido- code of honor
Valued bravery & loyalty to their lord, courage, and generosity to the weak.
Dying a honorable death was more important than living a long life
Fought for lord in exchange for an allowance
Entered battle with iron, leather, and wooden armor, swords, bows, and arrows.

12. VI. Shoguns emerge as leaders
After a period of war among two rival lords, one emerged as the most powerful
Emperor of Japan remained in power in name only, named this lord Shogun.
Shogun means “superior general of the emperor’s army”

13. VII. Strength of the Shogun
Shogun ran the country, this tradition continued in Japan until the late 1800’s
Under the early Shoguns local lords still held great power
To strengthen the Shoguns control, he appointed a military governor to each province.
These were called Daimyo, were responsible to maintain peace and order