Medieval Japan

1. Medieval Japan

2. 14.1 Early Japan Places and People Vocabulary • Japan • Hokkaido • Honshu • Shikoku • Kyushu • Jomon • Yayoi • Jimmu • Shotoku • clan • constitution • animism • shrine

3. Early Japan • Japan’s Geography • Chain of islands; Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu • Mountains formed by volcanic eruptions • Very little farmland • Coastal villages were settled with desire to fish for a living • Merchants traveled easy by water for trade • Pacific Ocean isolated Japan from outside influences

4. The First Settlers • First inhabitants = 30,000-10,000 B.C.; when Asia and Japan were once connected • Nomads developed the Jomon culture about 5000 B.C. • The Yayoi appeared around 300 B.C. – skilled farmers, potters, and metal workers • Yayoi lived in clans; warrior chiefs headed the clans • Yayoi buried their dead in large mounds called kofun • Japanese myth – two gods created Japan, their children were the first Japanese people. • Yamato clan ruled Japan in the A.D. 500’s; Yamato leader Jimmu founded a line of rulers

5. Prince Shotoku Reforms • Shotoku, Yamato prince, took charge of Japan for empress Suiko. • Created a constitution which set rules for officials based on the ideas of Confucius • Sent officials and students to schools in China • ordered Buddhist temples and monasteries be built in Japan • Horyuji, oldest Buddhist temple, oldest surviving wooden building • The Great Change, A.D. 646, divided Japan into provinces – Gov’t officials were responsible for collecting taxes

6. What is Shinto? • Animism – all natural things are alive and have spirits. • Kami – nature spirits • Shrines – holy places; place where people worshipped

7. Shoguns and Samurai People and Places Vocabulary • Heian • Kamakura • MinamotoYoritomo • Ashikaga Takauji • samurai • shogun • daimyo • vassal • feudalism

8. Nara Japan • Nara Period – time (early 700’s) when the capital was located in Nara, Japan • Emperors organized government into ranks • Government jobs were given to nobles of powerful families – jobs were then passed to official’s son • Census – tax purposes • Buddhism popular during this period

9. The Rise of the Shogun • Heian – capital city of Japan in 704 (now called Kyoto) • Weak emperors caused a decline in Japan’s government • Powerful noble seized control – built armies of samurai to protect their lands • Bushido – code of conduct – loyalty, courage and honor – samurai • TairavsMinamoto = Gempei War (civil war) • Minamoto clan prevailed and Yoritomo was appointed shogun

10. Daimyo Divide Japan • Ashikaga named himself shogun after a rebellion against the emperor • Daimyo controlled territories after the shoguns took over – protection by samurai armies created by daimyos • Feudalism developed – vassals gave oath of loyalty • Onin War (1467-1477)– war of Japanese warriors fighting one another for control • Ashikaga shogunate fell in 1567

11. Life in Japan Vocabulary People and Places • sect • martial arts • meditation • calligraphy • tanka • guild • Kyoto • MurasakiShikibu

12. Japanese Religion and Culture • Practiced both Shinto and Buddhism • Different sects of Buddhism – Pure Land Buddhism of Mahayana Buddhism, Zen Buddhism of Buddhism from China • Art of the middle ages – wood coated in lacquer, landscape paintings, origami, tea ceremonies • Architecture – Shinto shrines followed Japanese style; Buddhist shrines followed China • Tanka – oldest form of poetry • Noh plays – taught Buddhist beliefs; actors performed in robes and masks

13. Economy and Society • Most people in Japan remained poor • Farmers – grew rice, wheat, barley, millet; made advances in irrigation • Artisans – made weapons, armor, and tools for merchants to sell; also made pottery, paper, textiles, lacquered items • Families – included grandparents, parents, children – men headed the family; women expected to obey father, husband and sons. • Marriages arranged by parents.