Yamato Period: 300-Yamato Period: 300-710710

“Great Kings” era

Began promoting Began promoting adoption of Chinese adoption of Chinese culture:culture: ConfucianismConfucianism Language (characters)Language (characters) Buddhist sectsBuddhist sects Chinese art & architectureChinese art & architecture Government structureGovernment structure

Prince Shotoku: Prince Shotoku: 573-621573-621 Adopted Chinese culture and Confucianism Buddhist sects allowed to develop Created new government structure:

17 Article ConstitutionHighly ConfucianFocused on morals to be expected of government officials and subjectsEnsure smooth running stateEmperor ruled with absolute authorityOne of earliest moral dictatorial documents

Heian Period: 794-Heian Period: 794-11561156 Growth of large landed estatesGrowth of large landed estates

Arts & literature of China Arts & literature of China flourishedflourished Elaborate court life [highly Elaborate court life [highly refined]refined] Personal diaries Personal diaries

The Pillow BookThe Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon [10c] by Sei Shonagon [10c]Story of court lifeStory of court life

First novelFirst novelThe Tale of GenjiThe Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki by Lady Murasaki ShikibuShikibu[1000 pgs.+][1000 pgs.+]

Moving away from Chinese Moving away from Chinese models inmodels in religion, arts, and government religion, arts, and government

Heian Court DressHeian Court Dress

The Pillow BookThe Pillow Bookby Sei Shonagon (diary)by Sei Shonagon (diary)

Tale of GenjiTale of Genji ( (first novel)first novel)

Tale of GenjiTale of Genji Scroll Scroll(first novel)(first novel)

Lady Murasaki ShikibuLady Murasaki Shikibu

She contributed much to the Japanese script known as kana, while men wrote with Chinese characters, kanji.

Heian Period:Heian Period:Cultural BorrowingCultural Borrowing

1.1.Chinese writingChinese writing

2.2.Chinese artistic stylesChinese artistic styles

3.3.Buddhism [Zen]Buddhism [Zen]

4.4.BUT, not Chinese civil BUT, not Chinese civil service system!service system!

Minamoto YoritomoMinamoto Yoritomo

Founded the Kamakura Shogunate: 1185-1333

FeudaFeudal l

SocietSocietyy

The emperor The emperor reigned, but reigned, but

did not always did not always rule!rule!

FeudalismFeudalismA political, economic, and social system

based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service.

Japan:Japan: Shogun

Daimyo Daimyo

Samurai Samurai Samurai

Peasant PeasantPeasantPeasant

Land - Shoen

Land - Shoen

Protection

Loyalty

Loyalty

Food

Code of Code of BushidoBushido* Fidelity* Politeness* Virility* Simplicity

Seppuku: Seppuku: Ritual SuicideRitual Suicide

Kaishaku – his “seconds”

It is honorable to die in this way

Full Samurai AttireFull Samurai Attire

Samurai SwordSamurai Sword

Early Mounted Early Mounted Samurai WarriorsSamurai Warriors

Samurai ChargingSamurai Charging

Modern-Day “Samurai Modern-Day “Samurai Warriors”Warriors”

FeudalismFeudalismA political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land,

and military service. Europe

King

Lord Lord

Knight Knight Knight

Peasant PeasantPeasantPeasant

Land - Fief

Land - Fief

Protection

Loyalty

Loyalty

Food

Code of Code of ChivalryChivalry

* Justice * Loyalty* Courage* Faith* Humility* Nobility

European knight Samurai Warrior

vs.

Medieval WarriorsMedieval Warriors

Knight’s Armor Samurai Armor

vs.

Medieval WarriorsMedieval Warriors

Zen Buddhism Japanese variation of Buddhism

Came from India through China

Reinforced Bushido values of mental and self-discipline

Mongol“Invasio

ns”of Japan

4,400 ships and 140,000 men, but kamikaze winds stopped them

Ashikaga Age: 1338-1573

► Shoguns fought for power

Laws are unclear

Less efficient than Kamakura

Armies of samurai protected the country

C

A

S

T

L

E

S

Osaka Castle

Main Gate of Hiroshima Castle

Caernorfon Castle, Wales

Warwick Castle, England