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The Growth of Japanese Civilization

The Growth of Japanese Civilization. The Yamato Emperors. Little is known about Japan before 400 C.E. Japan was organized into clans The Yamato’s Only dynasty to exist in China Established itself as the leading clan Clan chiefs claimed to be emperor Each lacked any real power over Japan

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The Growth of Japanese Civilization

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  1. The Growth of Japanese Civilization

  2. The Yamato Emperors • Little is known about Japan before 400 C.E. • Japan was organized into clans • The Yamato’s • Only dynasty to exist in China • Established itself as the leading clan • Clan chiefs claimed to be emperor • Each lacked any real power over Japan • Clans fought one another for control, but claimed to rule in the name of the Yamato Emperor • Japan had an emperor as a figure head and a ruling power behind the throne

  3. Prince Shotoku • Prince Shotoku sends three missions to China • Over the next 200 years, Japanese would send missions to learn about Chinese ways • Prince Shotoku instituted reforms • Centralized and bureaucratic government • Meritocracy/civil service exams • Reforms would be overturned • Noble families would hold real power • Fujiwara family comes to dominate Japan

  4. Heian Period (794 – 1185 ) • Emperor moves capital to Heian (Kyoto) • Establish a court society • Nobles gathered in a court with elaborate rituals and artistic pursuits • Everyone at court was expected to write poetry & laugh • No laughing in public • Color of robes, length of swords, number of skirts worn by women were all regulated by the court • All about etiquette

  5. Feudalism • Land owners and clan chiefs became upset with luxurious lifestyle of the Heian Court • Fujiwara family loses power of central government • Chaos reigned supreme in the countryside • Large landowners hired soldiers for protection • Small landowners exchanged parts of their land for this protection • Large Landowners become even larger land owners • System of feudalism develops in Japan

  6. Feudalism • In the late 1100s two families fought for control of Japan • IN 1192 the Minamoto family emerge victorious • Minamoto leader Yoritomo was given the title of Shogun

  7. Feudal Structure • The Shogun • “Supreme general of the emperor’s army” • Had the powers of a military dictator • Had power over the emperor

  8. Emperor/Shogun • Think of it like this: • Emperor = Puppet • Shogun = Puppet master

  9. Feudal Structure • The Daimyo • Governors • Responsible for maintaining peace and order • Received land or goods as payment in exchange for support of a shogun • Often fought one another for additional land

  10. Feudal Structure • The Samurai • Warrior Class • Members of the shogun’s army • When shogun fails to pay them, they become more loyal to daimyos • Fought the wars between the daimyos

  11. Feudal Structure • Peasants, Artisans, Merchants • Peasants • 80% of Japan’s feudal population • Lived on the land of the daimyo’s for their farming of land • Artisans • Lived in urban areas; somewhat removed for feudal system • Jobs such as blacksmith • Merchants • Lowest of the low because Japanese believed they had no skills, so they were not valued

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