Insights into Japan During the Middle Ages

1. Korea and JapanDuring the Middle Ages500-1500 C.E.

2. Warm-up • Describe culture in the Heian era • Describe Feudalism in Japan, compare the terms used to European terms (ex. Samurai = Knights)

3. Japan: • Japan is an archipelago, about 100 miles off the Asian mainland. It is 4/5th mountainous, and most Japanese settled in the narrow river valleys and along the coastal plains.

4. The surrounding seas have both protected and isolated Japan. • Japan is close enough to the mainland to learn from Korea and China, but too far away to be conquered.

5. Japanese Religion: • The native religion is called Shinto meaning “The way of the gods.” • There is no complex rituals or philosophy to the Shinto religion. Believers strive to find beauty in “kami” (the forces of nature)

6. The Yamato Clan: • Recorded Japanese history begins around 500 C.E., when the Yamato Clan take over most of the main Island. • They are the first and only dynasty of Japan, tracing their roots back to the legendary sun goddess. Thus their kingdom is called the “Land of the Rising Sun.” • Many aspects of the imperial court were adopted from the Chinese.

7. Chinese Influence on Japan: • Chinese ideas about government. • Chinese fashion. • Chinese language and characters. • Chinese food. • Confucian ideas and ethics. • Chinese architecture.

8. Overtime, the Japanese lose their enthusiasm for Chinese culture, as a new cultural identity develops which supported the idea that the Japanese culture is superior to the Chinese.

9. The Heian Period: • From 794 – 1185 C.E., the imperial court was dominated by the Fujiwara family. Since it was located at Heian (present-day Kyoto) it is called the Heian court. • Elegance and culture blossomed at the Heian court, as the nobility lived in an artificial world.

10. Elaborate rules of etiquette governed court ceremony. As the court’s focus turned not to civil administration, but to poetry, literature, and the arts.

11. Heian Literature: • Sei Shonagon; created “The Pillow Book”, a series of anecdotes and observations about court life. • Lady Murasaki; created “The Tale of Genji” which was the world’s first full-length novel.

12. Japanese Feudalism: • By the 11th century C.E., large landowners (daimyo) had created private armies and were declaring their own authority independent of the Emperor.

13. Peasants gained security by pledging their lands to a daimyo in exchange for protection. Thus, Japanese farmers were reduced to the status of serfs.

14. The Heian Court was powerless to stop them, as they were too involved in luxurious living and making fortunes.

15. During this period, Japan’s central government deteriorated, which led to a series of civil wars known as the Gempei Wars (1180-1185 C.E..)

16. Kamakura Period(1192 – 1333 C.E.) • The Gempei wars ended in 1185 C.E. when the leader of the Minamoto daimyo Minamoto Yoritomo became the first shogun in Japanese history. His capital was located in Kamakura, thus his dynasty begins the Kamakura period.

17. Japan’s Social Structure: • In theory, the emperor was the head of Japanese feudal society. But in fact, he was powerless. Real power lay in the hands of the shogun (supreme military commander.)

18. The shogun distributed land to vassal lords (the daimyo) who agreed to protect their lands and remain loyal to the shogun. They, in turn, granted land to lesser warriors called samurai.

19. The samurai class was an hereditary membership. They were highly trained and received special privileges in Japanese society. • They were allowed to carry swords. • They were allowed to wear special headdress • They were exempt from imperial taxes.

20. The Way of the Warrior: • Samurai followed an unquestionable code of obedience called “Bushido” (The way of the Warrior.) • Absolute loyalty to one’s lord. • Honor is more important than wealth. • Death before dishonor (no surrender in battle.) • The practice of “seppuku” a ritual suicide.

21. Zen Buddhism: • Zen is form of Buddhism introduced into Japan by a monk named Eisai. He taught that meditation and prayer are important for spiritual growth. • It emphasis on physical and mental health, was widely popular among the Samurai class; and was spread because of their support.

22. Its popularity was also due to the fact that it co-existed easily with the Shinto beliefs of unity with nature. • Buddhist monasteries became centers of Zen learning and art (landscape gardening & flower arranging.)

23. Mongol Invasion: • In 1268 C.E., Kublai Khan sent a letter demanding the submission and tribute of Japan. The Kamakura shogun refused. • So Kublai Khan sent two armies to invade Japan, by landing along the coast of Hakata Bay at Fukuoka;

24. The first invasion (1274 C.E.) consisted of 900 ships and 40,000 men. It was destroyed by a typhoon that the Japanese called “kamikaze” (divine winds.)

25. By the time of the second invasion (1281 C.E.) Japanese samurai had built a stone wall along the coast of Hakata Bay, and were able to fight off the Mongols.

26. Ashikaga Period (1333 – 1573 C.E.) • Due to regional factionalism, the Kamakura shogunate fell in 1333 C.E.. It was replaced by a new shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. However, the new government was not strong enough to control the distant regions of Japan.

27. To defend their lands during this period, daimyo lords built massive stone castles.

28. The Warring States Period (1467-1573 C.E.): • The Ashikaga shogunate lost control of the country during during another series of civil wars called the Onin wars (1467-1477 C.E.). • The Onin Wars reestablished the autonomy of the daimyos and began 100 years of anarchy known as the Warring States period (1467-1573 C.E.)

29. Oda Nobunaga Creating a Strong State (1573 – 1600 C.E.): 1. The first leader to move Japan out of feudalism was Oba Nobunaga. He was the first to make use of European firearms. With them he deposed the last Ashikaga shogun, and began the process of unification of Japan.

30. European traders brought firearms to Japan. The ability to manufacture & use firearms helped unify Japan and end its feudal period.

31. St Ignatius Sending Xavier to the Orient • Europeans also brought Christianity. In 1549 C.E., Jesuit monks like Francis Xavier introduced Christianity throughout Japan.

32. Originally Nobunaga encouraged Jesuit missionaries; because Christianity was a counterforce to the militant Buddhist monks who wanted to remain independent of the shogun’s authority. • However, in the late 1580s his views towards Christian missionaries changed.

33. Why Nobunaga forbid Christianity in Japan: • The Buddhist monks had been crushed and were no long a threat. • He feared that the spread of Christian missionary would led to an invasion of Japan by Portugal.

34. Toyotomi Hideyoshi 2. Nobunaga was succeeded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, as Shogun. By 1590 C.E., Hideyoshi had forced all the daimyos of Japan to submit to his authority. • He wanted his son to succeed him but upon his death a vassal general seized power.

35. Tokugawa Ieyasu • That general was Tokugawa Ieyashu, who became Shogun in 1598 C.E.

36. Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1868 C.E.) • Order and unity was finally restored under the leadership of Tokugawa Ieyasu. • The Tokugawa shogunate was the longest period of uninterrupted peace in Japanese history.

37. Tokugawa reorganized daimyos estates calming most of their lands and giving the rest to his family.

38. He moved the capital to Edo (Tokyo), where it became the political, cultural, and artistic center of Japan.

39. He and his family directly controlled most of the lands in Central Japan, around Edo, in order to avoid rebellion.

40. The daimyo were obligated to spend every other year in Edo, and they had to leave their families there as hostages whenever they returned to their estates.

41. He created an effective bureaucratic system of administration concentrated in the hands of his loyal samurai.

42. Takeda Shingen • He divided society into four distinct classes — samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants (in order of prestige)

43. He established The Closed Country Edict of 1635 C.E. • It banned Christianity in Japan. • It forbid Japanese ships to trade overseas. • It banned Western books. • It confined foreigners to the city of Nagasaki only.

44. This policy of isolationism, and its governmental schools of national learning were designed to emphasize Japan’s unique and indigenous culture. Thus creating a social conscience of superiority.

45. Tokugawa Art: • During the Tokugawa shogunate, “bunraku” (puppet theater) became a traditional art from in Japan. It involves three puppeteers, while being accompanied by music and narrative song.

46. Also popular during the Tokugawa shogunate was “Noh theater.” It is a form of musical dance drama. And is the oldest theater art form in Japan.

47. Created during the Tokugawa period, Kabuki is still the most popular form of traditional Japanese theater. • It is characterized with bright colors, exaggerated acting, music and dancing. • Similar to traditional Shakespearian theater, both male and female characters are played by men.

48. Coins from the Edo period Economic Changes http://w00.middlebury.edu/ID085A/Edo/index2.html Trade and Industry grew Cities grew Edo +1 Million pop. Banking grew, paper money became the standard Merchant class grew Taxes increased Peasants suffered, some revolted

49. Eta skinning deer Social Changes http://www.flickr.com/photos/24443965@N08/2862111344/ Strict class distinctions Emperor and imperial court Warriors Peasants/farmers Artisans Merchants Eta (outcasts) Laws separating them No intermarriage

50. http://www.flickr.com/photos/24443965@N08/3492944934/in/set-72157617576425408/http://www.flickr.com/photos/24443965@N08/3492944934/in/set-72157617576425408/ Role of women Restricted, especially in warrior class Influenced by Confucianism Rules: Parents determined marriage Men could divorce women who don’t fulfill their duties. Men controlled property. Were valued as mothers