Japanese Culture

Japanese Culture By Isaac Shur and Nic Bone

Hierarchy in Japan • Two main classes nobility and peasants • Emperor and Shogun- most important nobles. Shogun was main leader, Emperor was puppet figure • Daimyos- powerful warlords. Owned and controlled portions of Emperors land • Samurai- Highly respected warriors for Daimyos • Peasants- common traders and farmers

Economy in Japan • Most people were farmers or craftsmen • - Large number of these people would fuel economy • Common exports: Silk, tea, textiles • Agriculture greatly improved • Kokudaka- measurement of wealth in rice

Chinese Influence on Early Japan • Language • - Japan had no written language before Chinese contact • - Japanese language was widely based on Chinese language • Buddhism- brought from China, very popular • Confucianism- also from China, important influence on Japan

Chinese Influence Continued • Government • - Imperial Court • - Legal system in Japan • - Adopted from Chinese Government • Titles, ranks, and functions of bureaucracy modeled after Chinese politics • Japanese Gov. would be very different with out china

Development of Chinese Culture • Pottery and Ceramics • -Japanese made finest pots/vases on market • Katana • - Main weapon for Samurai • - Took years to make • - Very effective weapon

Development of Japanese Culture (con.) • Art • - Painting centered around nature • - Sculptures related to religion • - Both were highly respected art forms and nobles would have private artists make fine works of art just for them.

Religion • Shinto- “the way of the kami (divinity)” A no-god religion focused on nature and natural forces. Shinto Shrines would be in natural areas such as forest or beside waterfalls. The second largest Buddha in Japan, made of copper. Buddhism- the religion that teaches that ,one can achieve self enlightenment through meditation and discipline.

Military • Atakebune: a ship with primitive cannons and firearms, helped whoever had them control Japan. • Katana- the katana was a curved blade and the main sword of the samurai. • Yumi- a long bow, used bamboo arrows. • Ninja-The ninja were stealth soldiers and mercenaries hired mostly by daimyos, their primary role was to perform espionage and sabotage buildings, although assassinations were also common.

Clans of Japan • Throughout Japanese history the Mainland was split into clans, which sometimes fought for their daimyo( clan leader) to become shogun (military leader of Japan). These wars increased Japanese strategies and military prowess. • In 1274 and 1281 the Mongols attempted to invade Japan but a typhoon destroyed their fleet. The typhoon is known as kamikaze or “divine wind”. • In 1543 a Portuguese ship went off course and trade firearms to the Japanese. Soon after, at the battle of Naggshino, the guns (arquebuses) killed 2,000 samurai.

Social • Women were less respected than children during Feudal Japan. • Their respect was based on what class they were in but it still was low. • The mother had full responsibility on child rearing, and each child was doted on. • Japan was split into sections because samurai got paid in land, this soon backfired as the whole nation was a collection of clans, fighting for power

Sources • http://www.facts-about-japan.com/feudal-japan.html • http://kwc.org/memorylane/mit/523/09.14.00%20Feudal%20Economy • http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/japan/ancient-japanese-art/1401 • http://orias.berkeley.edu/visuals/japan_visuals/shinto.HTM • http://asianhistory.about.com/od/japan/p/ShogJapanClass.htm • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Japan#Feudal_Japan_.281185.E2.80.931868.29 • http://www.google.com/imgres?q=shinto+shrine+forest&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&rlz=1I7ADFA_enUS447&biw=1280&bih=878&tbm=isch&tbnid=ZTiqI-1iyx7oZM:&imgrefurl= • http://www.fotocommunity.com/pc/pc/display/23279730&docid=MXqUC7nVtUao4M&itg=1&imgurl= • http://img.fotocommunity.com/images/Architecture/Details/Shinto-shrine-surrounded-by-forest • http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2055.html

Japanese Culture