Feudal Powers in JapanFeudal Powers in Japan

I. Geography of JapanI. Geography of Japan

Archipelago of 4,000 islands Archipelago of 4,000 islands Advantages: Advantages:

Mild climate + rainfall + long growing season = FOOD!Mild climate + rainfall + long growing season = FOOD! Disadvantages:Disadvantages:

70% mountainous 70% mountainous 12% is arable 12% is arable Little resources Little resources Typhoons & earthquakesTyphoons & earthquakes Isolation? Isolation?

II. Early JapanII. Early Japan

Religion helped unify Japan Religion helped unify Japan Kami = gods or nature spirits Kami = gods or nature spirits

Each clan worshipped one Each clan worshipped one Shinto religion Shinto religion

Prayers & rituals to satisfy the kamiPrayers & rituals to satisfy the kami INDIGENOUS RELIGION!INDIGENOUS RELIGION!

III. The Yamato EmperorsIII. The Yamato Emperors

Yamato clan = one & only imperial fam. of JapanYamato clan = one & only imperial fam. of Japan 400s CE = leading clan descended from the sun goddess400s CE = leading clan descended from the sun goddess Early emps. = did not control much but Japanese Early emps. = did not control much but Japanese

accepted the idea of the emp. accepted the idea of the emp. Rival clans fought to rule in the name of the emp.Rival clans fought to rule in the name of the emp.

Emp. = figurehead only (puppet of ruling power)Emp. = figurehead only (puppet of ruling power)

IV. Japanese CultureIV. Japanese Culture

400s: Japan learned of Chinese culture 400s: Japan learned of Chinese culture

A. Buddhism in JapanA. Buddhism in Japan

552: Buddhism in introduced to Japan552: Buddhism in introduced to Japan Took a few years to adopt Took a few years to adopt

Did not replace ShintoismDid not replace Shintoism Believed in both Believed in both

NON-INDIGENOUS RELIGION! NON-INDIGENOUS RELIGION!

B. Chinese InfluenceB. Chinese Influence

Buddhism led to other imported ideas of ChinaBuddhism led to other imported ideas of China Writing Writing Everyday livingEveryday living Govt.Govt. ArtArt Weights & measures Weights & measures Clothing Clothing

V. Life in the Heian Prd.V. Life in the Heian Prd.

794: capital built at Heian (Kyoto) 794: capital built at Heian (Kyoto) 794-1185 = Heian Prd. (“peace & tranquility”)794-1185 = Heian Prd. (“peace & tranquility”)

Growth of large landed estates Growth of large landed estates Height of Chinese influences (arts & lit.)Height of Chinese influences (arts & lit.) Peak of Japanese imperial court (art, poetry, lit.) Peak of Japanese imperial court (art, poetry, lit.)

Elaborate court life—highly refined—ETIQUETTEElaborate court life—highly refined—ETIQUETTE Movement away from Chinese models in religion, arts, & Movement away from Chinese models in religion, arts, &

govt. govt.

VI. Imperialism Erodes Imperial VI. Imperialism Erodes Imperial AuthorityAuthority

Heian Prd. = strong central govt.Heian Prd. = strong central govt. Would be challenged by landowners & chiefsWould be challenged by landowners & chiefs

A. Decline of Central PowerA. Decline of Central Power

Heian Prd. = Fujiwara family held powerHeian Prd. = Fujiwara family held power Landowners est. private armies in countrysideLandowners est. private armies in countryside

Countryside = lawless & dangerous Countryside = lawless & dangerous Preyed on farmers & travelers Preyed on farmers & travelers Acquired land for protection Acquired land for protection

FEUDALISM IS BORN IN JAPAN! FEUDALISM IS BORN IN JAPAN! Feudal System = 2 powersFeudal System = 2 powers

1. central govt. = important family1. central govt. = important family 2. local govt. = powerful landlords 2. local govt. = powerful landlords

B. Central Govt.B. Central Govt.

Fujiwara = first to gain control over emp.Fujiwara = first to gain control over emp. Married into the emp’s. fam. Married into the emp’s. fam. Controlled cent. govt. from mid-800s to mid-1100sControlled cent. govt. from mid-800s to mid-1100s

Late 1100s: Taira & Minamoto clans fought Late 1100s: Taira & Minamoto clans fought Min. won Min. won 1192: Minamoto Yoritomo = SHOGUN (“general”)1192: Minamoto Yoritomo = SHOGUN (“general”)

Real power rested w/Shogun (chief of central govt.) Real power rested w/Shogun (chief of central govt.) finance, laws, courts, & appointments finance, laws, courts, & appointments

Kyoto = emp’s. city Kyoto = emp’s. city Kamakura = shogun’s city Kamakura = shogun’s city

Minamoto YoritomoMinamoto YoritomoMinamoto YoritomoMinamoto Yoritomo

Founded the Kamakura Shogunate: 1185-1333Founded the Kamakura Shogunate: 1185-1333

C. Local RuleC. Local Rule

Shogun’s power did not extend to local level Shogun’s power did not extend to local level Daimyo = wealthy landlords Daimyo = wealthy landlords Samurai = professional soldiers hired by daimyoSamurai = professional soldiers hired by daimyo

Skilled swordsman (katana) Skilled swordsman (katana) Followed the Bushido Code (“way of the warrior”)Followed the Bushido Code (“way of the warrior”) If defeated or dishonored = seppuku (wakizashi) If defeated or dishonored = seppuku (wakizashi)

Seppuku: Seppuku: Ritual SuicideRitual Suicide

Seppuku: Seppuku: Ritual SuicideRitual Suicide

Kaishaku – his “seconds”

Kaishaku – his “seconds”

It is honorable to die in this way.

It is honorable to die in this way.

Full Samurai AttireFull Samurai AttireFull Samurai AttireFull Samurai Attire

Samurai SwordSamurai SwordSamurai SwordSamurai Sword

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

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

FeudaFeudal l

SocietSocietyy

FeudaFeudal l

SocietSocietyy

The emperor The emperor reigned, but reigned, but

did not always did not always rule!rule!

FeudalismFeudalismFeudalismFeudalismA political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service.

Japan:Japan:

A 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

FeudalismFeudalismFeudalismFeudalismA political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service.

Europe:

A 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

European knightEuropean knight Samurai WarriorSamurai Warrior

vs.vs.

Medieval WarriorsMedieval Warriors

Knight’s ArmorKnight’s Armor Samurai ArmorSamurai Armor

vs.vs.

Medieval WarriorsMedieval Warriors

C

A

S

T

L

E

S

C

A

S

T

L

E

S

Osaka CastleOsaka Castle

Main Gate of Hiroshima Castle

Main Gate of Hiroshima Castle

Caernorfon Castle, Wales

Caernorfon Castle, Wales

Warwick Castle, EnglandWarwick Castle, England