1. Early Japanese History & Japanese Feudalism
World History
Unit 3: Japan

2. ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How did Japan transform from a feudal state to a modern nation in the 19th century?   LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Review the early history of Japan to set the stage for the rule of the Fujiwara.  

3. Religions of Japan Shinto  “The way of the gods”
Worships kami (nature & all its spirits)
Goal: to become part of the kami
Encourages obedience and proper behavior

4. Religions of Japan (Outside Influences)
Buddhism
Came from China
Existed alongside Shinto
Neo-Confucianism
Accepted: Filial piety, loyalty, morality (individual and political)
Rejected: Civil Service Exam (focus on nobility in Japan)
Christianity
Missionaries arrived around 1500’s
Persecuted under the Tokugawa (Edo) Period

5. JAPAN’S EARLY HISTORY
Early History influenced by the cultures of China & Korea
The country was dominated by clans
400 C.E. the Tenno clan received the 3 symbols of imperial power from the Sun Goddess (Beginning of the Sun Line):
1. Bronze mirror
2. Iron sword
3. Jeweled necklace

6. 3 Japanese Symbols of Power
Curved Jewel
Shows Korean Influence
Example of Diplomatic Relationship between China & Korea.
Iron Sword
Indicates Power & Authority
Bronze Mirror
Shaped Like Sun
Shows Importance of Sun

7. Bronze Mirror

8. Iron Sword

9. Curved Jewel

10. FUJIWARA Take over as Sun Line declines
Decide to move capital to minimize control of those left from Sun Line
Simplify structure of Chinese Government
Introduce FEUDALISM to Japan

11. The capital moved to Heian,
present-day KYOTO

12. FUJIWARA Adopt Kana as the new form of writing
Chinese language adopted to Japanese culture
Chinese characters abbreviated

13. FUJIWARA By the 800’s the emperor had lost power
Lands Divided into Private Estates
Nobles Gain Power
The Fujiwara dominated and ruled for 200 years

14. ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How did Japan transform from feudalism to a modern nation in the 19th century?   LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Break down the feudal class system in Japan and the role of the daimyo.  

15. FEUDAL CLASS SYSTEM -- figurehead
-- most powerful samurai; held all of the power L O Y A T
-- great samurais
-- noble warriors
-- peasants, artisans, merchants; foot soldiers

16. FEUDALISM
Warrior families fought each other for control (Minamoto & Taira)
As a result of the constant fighting feudalism emerged
Emperor weakens as families battle back and forth

17. Minamoto Yoritomo Greatest Family Warrior Drives Taira out of Capital
Sets up NEW CAPITAL - Kamakura
Given title shogun-chief general of the army

18. Minamoto Yoritomo
Exterminates ALL important members of the Taira family
Kills relatives in his own clan to prevent jealousy
Took away all lands from Tairas
Warriors continue to battle over land to give them an occupation

19. Samurais New professional warriors become the respected Samurai class
Similar to European Knights
Main role is military service of the Emperor

20. Samurais Live by a code of behavior - Warrior Ethics - called Bushido
Bushido = “Way of the Warrior”
Obligation to support Lord in return for his protection

21. Samurai Bravery Duty to fight war until death Contempt for Cowards
Never turn back on enemy
Choose suicide over capture or beheading
Most humiliating punishment = Lack of Whole Corpse

22. SAMURAI SWORDS

24. Onin War (1467 - 1477) Continued fighting among clans
Problem of succession to the Shogun
Warfare over succession exhausts shoguns and warriors
New Warrior Class comes to power - DAIMYOS - Powerful Samurais who own land and have warriors loyal to them; This is known as the Senegoku Period

25. Samurai & Daimyos
Deconstructing History - Samurai