Feudal Powers in Japan

1. Feudal Powers in Japan Chapter 12 Section 4 Battle of Shiroyama

2. archipelago • An Island Chain or group of islands. • Examples include Pacific rim countries like Japan, and Indonesia.

3. Shinto (Shintoism) • The original native religion of Japan. Developed over a thousand years but came to be called Shinto (Shintoism) • Shinto means “way of the gods.” • Very Nature orientated – believed that divine spirits dwell in nature. These spirits are called Kami. Kami were said to dwell in any especially beautiful thing like a tree, waterfall, or even a mountain. • Ex: Mt Fuji

4. Bushido • The Japanese Samurai warrior code. The 7 Principles of Bushido. • Honor • Benevolence • Loyalty • Courage • Truthfulness • Rectitude (correct judgment) • Politeness

5. Samurai • The Warrior Class of Japan • Means “one who serves” and lived by the code of Bushido. 3 basic levels • TOP: SHOGUN – highest ranking Samurai –the REAL ruler during the Feudal period. • Nobles/large landholders: Called the DAIMYO • Local Samurai – low level but expert warriors and loyal to the death. The Local Samurai would be given land, like a village, to manage for their Lord (Daimyo). • Ronin: wandering Samurai with no Lord.

6. Shogun • The Supreme General of the Emperor’s Army or the Military Governor of Japan – the real power in Japan and the highest ranking Samurai.

7. Feudal Society (Feudalism) in Japan

8. ADD: Kamakura Shogunate • A Shogunate is “kingdom” ruled by the highest ranking Samurai – the Shogun. • After a brutal civil war between rival Samurai, the Kamakura family dominated Japan during the 13th century (1200’s). • Victorious against two Mongol invasions in 1274 & 1281 but these wars bankrupted the treasury and unpaid Samurai rebelled. • Japan was plagued by civil wars until 1600 when the Tokugawa Shogunate would rule Japan until 1867.

9. ADD: Yoritomo Minamoto • Became the first Shogun in 1192 – when the emperor named him “supreme general of the Emperor’s army. • The Minamoto family started the Kamakura Shogunate& would be the REAL power in Japan through the 1200’s. • The Minamoto family would lose power after the victories in 1274 and 1281 against the Mongols. Key Idea: They lost power even though they saved Japan? • Yes: Sometimes even a win is a loss - Even though victorious against the Mongols the wars had bankrupted the Shogun’s treasury and he could not pay the Samurai who rebelled and Japan began its Feudal periodwhere local lords (Daimyo) fought each other to become Shogun and increase their power.

10. 3. Why were Japanese missions to Tang China so important? • Simple Answer: Cultural Diffusion Examples: • Selective Borrowing - The Japanese were exposed to the Court Life of the great Tang Emperors but never conquered by an invader – they were free to adopt what they liked and leave behind what they didn’t (footbinding). Brought back much of this ceremonial life to Japan (the Heian Court). • These missions also brought back ideas like Chinese writing and Buddhismwhich would be borrowed and modified by the Japanese. (Today Buddhism in Japan is Zen Buddhism which incorporates certain Japanese influences such as a focus on strict discipline and humility)

11. 4. What was life like in the Heian Court? • The Heian Court was the Emperor’s Court in Japan from 794 to 1195. • During this time life for the upper class officials at court was full of ceremonies, ritual, and your behavior was guided by strict codes of etiquette (the customary polite behavior in a society). • Ex: No laughing out loud in public – it was considered rude. • A noble filled their day with artistic pursuits like writing poetry and painting. • Noble women spent a lot of time on hairstyles and reading monogatari(a popular style of novel/book that used dialog between characters to tell a story).

12. 5. What purpose did the Samurai serve? • The Samurai were the warrior class – highly skilled warriors who served their higher ranking masters. • The Samurai each served their Lords and ruled over their lord’s lands. • Part of system to maintain order / decentralized government. Usually each Samurai family was in charge of a village which was then part of a larger territory controlled by a Daimyo.

13. 6. “The Japanese selectively borrowed from Chinese Culture” The Evidence: • Buddhismis adopted but changed to fit in better with Japan’s Native Shinto religion. • Foot Binding is widely practiced by the Gentry in China but NOT by the Samurai of Japan – Samurai women were often trained in the Martial Arts. • Writing System: The characters used by the Chinese is very similar to the Japanese – although NOT the same.

14. 7. Why would Shoguns rule through “puppet emperors” rather than directly? • The Emperor was seen as a god - a descendant of the Sun goddess (Amaterasu). As a divine figure the emperor was seen as too good for politics. This kept the emperor “pure.” • In short the emperor was “too holy” to get dirty or corrupted by getting involved in politics • Also the Emperor was a symbol of unity and order – not a good idea to overthrow him and invite chaos. • The Emperor did not interfere with the Shogun so there as no reason or need to compete over power.

15. 8. Was the rise of the Shogun beneficial to Japan overall? • Yes b/c when Japan was ruled by a Shogun it limited local wars and conflicts. • No b/c militarism and a weak emperor will lead Japan (centuries later) into WWII causing them to invade China, South East Asia, and Oceana – causing the deaths of MILLIONS.

16. Japan Video • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Wd9WdArwo