Chapter 13

1. Chapter 13 Early Japan and Feudalism

2. Themes and Concepts • Geography • How did Japan’s geographic setting contribute to its development? • Movement of People and Goods • What influence did China and Korea have on Japan? • Political System • How did the system of feudalism work in Japan? • Economic Systems and Cutlure • In what ways did the economy and culture flourish during its later feudal age?

3. Key Terms • Shinto • Kami • Zen Buddhism • Shoguns • Daimyo • Samurai • Bushido • Kabuki • Haiku

4. Major Physical Features • Japan is made up of a chain of mountainous island in the pacific Ocean off the coast of mainland Asia • Four main islands and more than 3,000 smaller islands • Ring of Fire • A group of islands around the Pacific Ocean that are vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanoes • Underground earthquakes can cause deadly tidal waves to sweep over the islands

5. Impact of Japanese Life • Because of mountainous islands… land is hard to farm • Most of the population has always lived in narrow river valleys or along a coast line • This terrain sometimes acted as a barrier to political unity • Japanese learned to use the sea for food and for transportation • The sea acted as protection • Also isolated Japan from other cultures

6. Impact on Japanese Life • This experience of living in an unsettled natural environment taught the Japanese a deep respect for the forces of nature • Forces of nature like volcanoes, earthquakes, and tidal waves

7. Shintoism • Traditional Japanese religion • Shinto, meaning “the way of the gods” • Characterized by the worship of kami • Kami, or divine spirits found in all living and nonliving things • The shared beliefs of the followers of Shinto eventually helped unite all of Japan • These Shinto shrines still appear throughout Japan in places of unusual natural beauty

8. Diffusion From Korea and China • Japanese culture • Unique blend of its own traditions and ideas borrowed from nearby civilizations of Korea and China • Korea often acted as a bridge between China and Japan • Koreans introduced the Japanese to various aspects of Chinese culture • 600 A.D Japan sent nobles to study in China • Between the 700s and 1100s, the Japanese blended the best of China with their own traditions to produce a distinctly Japanese civilization

9. Chinese Influence on writing • Koreans brought the Chinese system of writing to the Japanese • When the Tang began to decline the Japanese adapted the Chinese system of writing to suit their own language and ideas

10. Buddhism • Koreans also brought Buddhism from China • This religion spread quickly • Zen Buddhism spread throughout Japan • Value peace, simple living, nature, and beauty

11. Confucianism • Japanese were also influenced by the Chinese philosophy of Confucianism • Confucian ideas took root • These ideas included: • Loyalty • Honoring parents, and a respect for learning and the educated class

12. Customs and the Arts • Tea drinking and the tea ceremony were adopted by Japanese courts • Music and dancing, along with garden design became very popular • Buddhism monasteries were built to look like Chinese monasteries

13. Imperial Tradition Feudal Japan

14. Imperial Tradition • Early society was organized into clans • Each clan with separate rulers and religious customs • The Yamato gained control over the largest island in Japan • Claimed to be direct descendants of the sun goddess • The emperor today no longer claims divinity, but he still traces his roots to the Yamato clan

15. Feudal Japan • In the 1100s, central authority declined • Warlords fought one another • While armies fought, a feudal system was developed • Feudal society had distinct levels and all members had a defined place in it

16. Landowners and Warriors • The emperor still ruled in name, but powerful warrior nobles actually controlled the country • Shoguns (top military commanders) had the real power • They set up dynasties called shogunates • Daimyo (landowners) received lands in exchange for a promise to support the shogun with their armies when needed

17. Landowners and Warriors • Samurai (“those who serve”) were granted land. In return they promised loyalty to the daimyo • They lived by a strict code of conduct known as bushido, or “they way of the warrior” • Samurai promised to be loyal, brave and honorable. • Honor was supremely important • Samurai who betrayed the code were expected to commit ritual suicide (seppuku)

18. Other classes and Groups • Peasants and Artisans • Peasants farmed the land • Artisans made weapons for the samurai • Peasants and artisans were granted the protection of the samurai • Merchants • Lowest social class • Would gain more influence • Usually more wealthy than upper class • Women • Status declined • Inheritance was passed on to sons only

19. Tokugawa Shogunate • Created a centralized feudal government • Halted the fighting among powerful daimyo • Forced them to live in the capital Edo (Tokyo) • Once they left, their families were forced to stay and be watched over

20. Tokugawa Shogunate • The new stability resulted in economic gains • New seeds, tools, and techniques allowed farmers to grow more food • Trade, population, and towns all increased • In cities a wealthy class of merchants emerged

21. Tokugawa Shogunate • Became extremely hostile toward foreigners • By 1633 they barred all western merchants and prohibited Japanese from traveling abroad • During this period of strict isolation, internal trade boomed, economy prospered

22. Tokugawa Shogunate • During this period many learned Zen Buddhism • Made advances in the arts and theater • Kabuki • Colorful costumes • Acted out stories about family or events in history • Created a Chinese influenced form of poetry… haiku

23. Comparison • Japanese feudalism was similar to European • Both evolved in response to the need for stability • Both provided a way for ruling classes to preserve law and order • Everyone had a well defined place in society • Power and wealth were concentrated in elite land-owning class

24. Comparison • Knights and Samurai were very similar in the role they played in their feudal systems • Peasants in both feudal systems worked the land and served the landowners in exchange for protection • Religion • Leaders in the Catholic church had more political power than Zen Buddhist monks • Role of women • Japan: status declined • Europe: code of chivalry helped raise their status

25. Summary • Japan was strongly influenced by geographic conditions • It borrowed cultural elements from China, but adapted them • Decline in the power of the emperor led to feudal development • Tokugawa shogunate emerged bringing stability

26. Summary • Tokugawa brought a strict government and social structure • Consisting of unequal classes • Landowners and warriors dominated Japanese society