Japanold school to new school

-The people of Japan have an old way of doing things. -It’s called FEUDALISM…almost identical to the European system.

-This “closed” system worked fine for 200 years, until 1853.-Commodore Matthew Perry from the USA “forced” Japan to opened up to trade.-Japan realized that they were way behind the rest of the world…and did not want to wind up like China.

Emperor…held no real political power

Shogun…military governor, assumed the political power of the Emperor

Daimyo (nobles) great land owners, swore allegiance to the Shogun.

Samurai (knights)In return for their military support they were given land.

Peasants and Artisans, they worked, farmed made weapons and received protection from the Samurai

Merchants…made money off other peoples work.

Japanese Feudal Pyramid