Feudal Japan

Background of Japan

Japan's isolation as an island nation has been instrumental in its development as a culture. By 500 BCE it was still an undeveloped agrarianagrarian (farm based) culture without cities. Outside influences which led to cultural advancement included...

Background of Japan cont.

(1) contacts with and importing of Chinese cultureChinese culture, especially in the areas of weaving, metals, art and weaving, metals, art and governmentgovernment, (2) the arrival in 200 CE of the Korean horse Korean horse soldiersoldier, and (3) the arrival of BuddhismBuddhism as a religious and philosophical system merging with native ShintoShinto beliefs.

Background of Japan

By the ninth century CE, Japan had developed enough of

a sense of its own character to isolate itself from outside influence and let its own culture take a natural course of development.

Major Periods in Japanese History**denotes Feudal Period**denotes Feudal Period

Jomon ca. 10,000 B.C. -- ca. 300 B.C.

Yayoi ca. 300 B.C. -- ca. A.D. 300

Yamato ca. A.D. 300 -- A.D. 710

Nara 710 -- 794

Heian 794 -- 1185

Kamakura**Kamakura** 1185 -- 13331185 -- 1333

Ashikaga or Muromachi **Ashikaga or Muromachi ** 1333 -- 15681333 -- 1568

Azuchi-Momoyama **Azuchi-Momoyama ** 1568 -- 16001568 -- 1600

Tokugawa or Edo **Tokugawa or Edo ** 1600 -- 18681600 -- 1868

Meiji 1868 -- 1912

Taisho 1912 -- 1926

Showa 1926 --

Agricultural Society in JapanJapan has traditionally been a nation of farmersfarmers. Every square inch of plowable land was used, tucked between the ocean below and the mountains above. Early leaders would give land to Early leaders would give land to the peasants in return for a the peasants in return for a share of the crops and a set share of the crops and a set period of time period of time for military service.for military service.

Agricultural Society in Japan

The military service evolved into a standing army, and leadership - the samuraisamurai class. These two classes were well respected for the value they gave to the Japanese culture.

Feudalism in Japan Bands of warriors

engaged in struggles, formed leagues, and established hegemonies (dominance over other groups) and gradually great leaders appeared and fought for military control over even larger territories, up to one or more provinces.

Japanese Warrior Terms:

bushibushi

WarriorWarrior;; name given to all the warriors who made up families with a warrior tradition

bushidobushido

Way of the warriorWay of the warrior; a code of honor and social behavior; the Way of the bow and the horse from China

daimyodaimyo a feudal lord; maintained a great number of samurai in their service, who all swore an oath of allegiance to them according to the rules of Bushido

ninjaninja a group of men

and women specially trained for espionage and assassination; generally drawn from the lower classes and used by the daimyo to assassinate enemies and penetrate enemy fortresses

roninronin during the Tokugawa period, the name given to all bushi and samurai who did not serve a particular master, either because the master had died or because his lands had been confiscated. Became martial arts teachers or bodyguards.

samuraisamurai A class of bushi (warriors). The original samurai were there for the protection of their lord and were specially trained in martial arts. Later the name was given to all bushi of a certain rank belonging to warrior families.

shogunshogun title given by the emperor to the daimyo who showed himself to be the richest and the most powerful of all the lords

so-jutsuso-jutsu techniques of using the lance, and performed wearing the ancient armor of the samurai

The Samurais wore protective

helmets and armor and fought with two curved swords. Samurais, who

came into power from 1000 to 1200 CE, put a great deal of value on honor and discipline.

Code of EthicsCode of EthicsSamurai honored skills

such as horsemanship and horsemanship and the ability to fight with a the ability to fight with a bow and arrowbow and arrow, but their value was placed on a much higher level, dealing with strong self-discipline, strong self-discipline, bravery, and total obedience bravery, and total obedience and honor towards their and honor towards their lordslords.

Ideals of the SamuraiIdeals of the Samurai Without knowledge of Learning,

one will ultimately have no military victories.

One should not be envious of someone who has prospered by

unjust deeds. Nor should he disdain someone who has fallen

while adhering to the path of righteousness.

Imagawa Sadayo (1325-1420)

Code of EthicsCode of EthicsThe Samurai’s code of chivalry, known as BushidoBushido, or the"Way of the Warrior", was created in Japan using China’s concept of warriors known as "The Way of Horse and Bow".

Code of EthicsCode of EthicsThe philosophy behind Bushido is "freedom from freedom from fearfear." This meant the samurai was not to fear any bout and to face death with honor. Bushido "gave [the samurai] the peace and power to serve his master faithfully and loyally and die if necessary"(Brief History of the Samurai).

Role of Religion in JapanRole of Religion in JapanShintoShinto ("the way of the gods") is the indigenous faith of the Japanese people and as old as Japan herself. It remains Japan's major religion besides Buddhism. Shinto does not have a founder nor does it have sacred scriptures like the sutras or the bible.

Role of Religion in JapanRole of Religion in JapanShinto gods" are called kamikami. They are sacred spirits which take the form of things and concepts important to life, such as wind, rain, mountains, trees, rivers and fertility. Humans become kami after they die and are revered by their families as ancestral kami.

Role of Religion in JapanRole of Religion in JapanIn contrast to Christianity, there is no absolute right and wrong, and nobody is perfect. Shinto is an optimistic faith, as humans humans are thought to be are thought to be fundamentally goodfundamentally good, and evil evil is believed to be caused by is believed to be caused by evil spiritsevil spirits. The purpose of Shinto rituals is to keep away evil spirits.

Role of Religion in JapanRole of Religion in JapanThe introduction of BuddhismBuddhism in the 6th century was followed by a few initial conflicts, however, the two religions were soon able to co-exist harmoniously and even complement each other.

Role of Religion in JapanRole of Religion in JapanBuddhism was imported to

Japan via China and Korea in the form of a present from the friendly Korean kingdom of Kudara (Paikche) in the 6th century. While Buddhism was welcomed by the ruling nobles as Japan's new state religion, it did not initially spread among the common people due to its complex theories.

Role of Religion in JapanRole of Religion in JapanThe great philosopher ConfuciusConfucius (Kong Fu Zi) lived in China from 551 to 479 BCE. According to early Japanese writings, it was introduced to Japan via Korea in the year 285 CE. Some of the most important ConfucianConfucian principles are humanity, loyalty, morality and consideration on an individual and political level.

Feudal Japan

Spiritual

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