Feudal Japan

1. Feudal Japan Social Studies 8

2. Feudal Vocabulary to know • Shogun: A military ruler of Japan during the feudal period • Shogunate: A period of rule by a shogun • Daimyo: A great feudal lord • Domain: Land belonging to one person (fief) • Rank: Position in society • Vassal: One who owes loyalty to a lord • Bakufu: The name for the government of the Shogun

3. The feudal pyramid

4. Compared to European feudalism

5. Feudal Origins: The Shogun • After our samurai war, we see the Minamoto clan become the ruling clan in Japan • Feudalism has grown enormously and the once imperial powers in Heian have no more power • Leader Minamoto Yoritomo ruled from the city of Kamakura, therefore Japan’s first feudal period is called the Kamakura period • He became the Shogun of Japan, because the Emperor could not be replaced, the Shogun held all of the power

6. Feudal origins: The BAkufu • Yoritomo ruled as a militaristic overlord: govt officials were soldiers • The government itself was called the Bakufu, “Headquarters” • 3 parts: military order, day-to-day affairs, justice • Yoritomo, being the Shogun, would appoint certain military governors to be lords on different parts of land and they would look after the land • These feudal lords were called daimyos

7. Feudal origins: the bakufu • Although the emperor was still present in Japanese society, he really did not have much power and was simply a figurehead • It was the Shogun who had all power and over time various daimyos would try to rise up the pyramid to become a Shogun • Different wars broke out and different families ended up gaining the title of Shogun

8. Feudal Japanese Society Textbook reading • In your textbooks, read the section titled “Feudal Society” from Pages 187 to 189 • While or after reading, fill in the chart in your notes, and also answer the questions • When we are done we will go over and share as a class • If you have any questions let me know

9. The samurai • As we know, the samurai were very similar to the knights on the European feudal pyramid • Warriors who were hired to protect certain plots of land • They were not the upper class elite, but they were not the lower class either • Samurai who had no commanding lord were called Ronin • Samurai followed the Code of Bushido, “Life In Every Breath”

10. Zen Buddhism • Many samurai practiced the form of Buddhism called Zen Buddhism • Zen = meditation • Deep thought and discipline to find the true nature of life • Incorporated their religion into bushido: discipline, peacefulness, harmony, respect and purity were all important values to the samurai

12. Rice farming • Rice was vital to life in Japan during feudalistic times and it still is today • It acted as Japan’s currency in the feudal age: taxes of the daimyo and salaries of the samurai were all measured in rice • Farmers worked hard on the rice paddies (fields) and there was a lot to be done to properly cultivate rice • Over time, the Japanese worked on perfecting their rice cultivation so it became a more reliable crop to depend on • What well known dishes do we eat here that involve rice?

13. Rice fields

14. Haikus • Haikus are short Japanese poems that originated during the Feudal times • Haikus are usually three lines that add up to 17 syllables • They are usually to do with nature and have a very Zen Buddhist feel to them

15. Creating our own haikus • You each will receive handout with instructions: • You are to read the Haiku section on Page #194 • Then you are to create your own Haiku on the handout provided. You must also include an image that properly represents your haiku below it • Your Haiku should be related to our study of Medieval Japan and you should have an element of nature and Zen in your haiku