1. The Age of Feudalism in Japan

2. Feudalism – a social system in which landowners granted land or other rewards in exchange for military service or labor

3. The Rise of the Fujiwara Family
Married their daughters to the emperor.
In the 800’s they convinced several emperors to retire who’s sons were very young.
A Fujiwara regent would rule until the boy was of age, after that the regent stayed as advisor still holding on to power
The symbol for the Fujiwara clan

4. Rival Clans Battle for Power
By the 1100’s the power of the Fujiwara was being challenged by the Minamoto & Taira families.
They worked together to push the Fujiwara out of power and then turned on each other.
Minamoto Yoritomo defeats the Taira and takes the permanent title Shogun

5. Shogun – supreme military commander; the actual ruler of Feudal Japan
Shogun – supreme military commander; the actual ruler of Feudal Japan. One daimyo would become shogun.

6. Daimyo – local land-owning lords who protected the peasants in exchange for service and loyalty. They kept armies of samurai.

7. Samurai – highly trained members of the warrior class.

8. Samurai

9. Bushido – the code of conduct for samurai that translates to “the way of the warrior”.

10. Social Structure of Feudal Japan
Royalty
Emperor and family
Shogun
The actual ruler of Japan
Daimyo
Landowning warrior lords
Samurai
Warrior Class
Peasantry and Artisans
Farmers, laborers, & skilled workers
Merchants
Lowest class based on influence from China