1. 12.4 – Feudal Powers in Japan

2. Geography of Japan
Made up of 4,000 islands – archipelago – over 1,200 miles
4 large islands – Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, & Kyushu
Advantages
Mild Climate & Rainfall
Protected from invasion
Close enough for diffusion
Disadvantages
Mountainous, scare resources, typhoons, earthquakes, & tidal waves

4. Early Japan Controlled by hundreds of clans, who worshipped own gods
Customs formed Shinto – “way of the gods”
Respect for nature & ancestors
Kami – divine spirits of nature
400s – Yamato gain upper hand
Dual Government – 2 emperors
Figurehead & ruling power

5. Japanese Culture Buddhism – From Korea Borrowed ideas from China
Japanese mix Shinto rituals with Buddhist teachings
Borrowed ideas from China
Adopt Chinese system of writing, art, & living
Attempt to about strong central government
A mixed tradition of Japanese & Chinese
Late 9th Century – cut ties with Tang China (decline)

6. Heian Period Late 700s – capital moved to Heian (Kyoto)
Nobles form a court society
Life dictated by strict rules & rituals
Strong effort to teach poetry & painting
The Tale of Genji – World’s 1st Novel

7. Feudal Decline Landowners & Clan leaders weaken government’s power
Clans create private armies = lawless countryside & danger
Raiders & pirates control the land & seas
Lords create bodyguards, or samurai
Samurai follow code of Bushido
Reckless courage, piety, fairness, etc

8. Kamakura Shogunate Late-1100s – clans fight for power – Minamoto win
1192: Leader Yoritomo named shogun, or military dictator
Establishes Kamakura Shogunate – lasts until 1868
Defeat 2 invasions by Kublai Khan, but lose prestige
Samurai attach to local leaders = bitter warfare

9. Samurai Boarding Mongol Ships