Feudalism in Japan

1. Feudalism in Japan The color is white

2. Background • The ancestors of present Japan settled in the location of the modern cities of Osaka and Kyoto • Their society was made up of clans, which in turn were divided into a small aristocratic class (the rulers) and a large population of rice farmers, artisans, and household servants. • The local ruler protected the population in return for the share of the harvest

3. Japanese Civilization • Shaped by borrowing cultural ideas from China • Centralized government based roughly on the Chinese model • Eventually the ruler of the strongest clan achieved supremacy over the others and became the ruler of Japan

4. Three Aspects of Japanese Civilization • Location • Geography • Cultural Adaptations from China

5. Location, Location, Location • Japan benefited from its location • Close enough to China to be influenced by its culture • Far enough away to be able to still be independent

6. Japan’s Geography • Japan is a chain of many islands • The population is concentrated on four main islands • The islands have few naturalresources – very little coal and oil • Mostly mountainous • Only 11% of the land can be farmed • Mountains are volcanic in origin

7. Map of Japan

8. Cultural Adaptations from China During the late 400’s, Japan began to be heavily influenced by the Chinese culture • Copied and improved on the Chinese form of government • Buddhismreached the islands • Japanese emperors sent people to China to learn • Adopted the Chinese system of writing • Adopted painting and art techniques.

9. Nobles Assert Power The early part of Japan’s history was held by Emperors • From 795 – 1185 Japan’s noble family ruled the country • This era was the peak of Japanese culture • Overtime, however the power of the emperor declined and the nobles with large land holdings began to assert their power • These powerful landowners (Lords) began to play on these powers

10. The Turn to Military Force • Lords hired private armies to protect and provide security • Called Samurai

11. Samurai • Means “those who serve” • Trained solders used to protect lords from attack by other lords • Fought on horseback, clad in helmet, armor, and a sword and bow • Lived by a strict code of honor called Bushido

12. Picture of a Samurai

13. Feudal Society (Warrior Society) • By the end of the 12th century rivalriesamong the Japanese aristocratic families had led to almost constant civil wars • One of the lords, Minamoto Yoritomo, proved to bethe most powerful in Japanese Society • The Emperor named him the SHOGUN, or superior general of the emperor’s army. • Emperor remained in power, the real power was held by the shogun that ran the country • The Feudal society remained in Japan from around 1200 – 1800.

14. Japanese Feudal Class System King Shogun Damiyo (Heads of Noble Families) Samurai Peasants Merchants/Artisans

15. Samurai video