1. History of isolation Human occupation: 30,000 yrs ago Strong Japanese Civilization AFTER yr 0 Japan first mentioned in writing: 297 CE by Chinese “Book of Han”

2. TAIKA Reforms Time of “Great Change” ◦Borrow A LOT from Chinese culture  Adopted ideas from the Tang Dynasty ◦ Legal code similar to Confucianism ◦ Buddhist faith ◦Emperor Kotoku centralized the government  All Japanese land was property of the imperial government  NARA: Capital City built @ 710 CE

3. HEIAN (Kyoto) PERIOD 790s – 1100s CE Fujiwara family held power KYOTO: renamed capital city Noblewomen lived in isolation—used writing and art to communicate ◦Extra time devoted to art, literature, elegance

4. Feudalism Fujiwara family became more interested in riches not governing ◦Loses political power  Decentralizes power ◦Large landowners known as ◦ daimyo  Set up private armies for protection of property ◦ Members of these private armies became known as….  samurai ◦ Smaller landowners gave their land to large landowners for protection  This gave the large landowners more…. ◦power

5. SHOGUNATE JAPAN Military Gov’t Emperor holds very little power ◦Most of power goes to the military leaders known as ◦ shoguns 1100s – 1800s Two Main Periods ◦Kamakura ◦Tokugawa

6. STRUCTU RE of Feudal Japan EMPEROR “The Ruler” DAIMYO “The Landlord” SHOGUN “The General” SAMURAI “The Knight/Warrior”

7. STRUCTURE of Feudal Japan Samurai hired to protect Daimyo’s land and peasants Endured incredible training BUSHIDO: Code Samurai lived by “The Way of the Warrior” ◦loyalty, honor, obedience, duty, filial piety, and self- sacrifice ◦Hara-kiri  Ritual suicide ◦ If samurai is dishonored it could lead to this EMPEROR “The Ruler” DAIMYO “The Landlord” SHOGUN “The General” SAMURAI “The Knight/Warrior”

8. #1 Kamakura Minamoto YORIMOTO ◦First Shogun  Military leader of Japan ◦ Organized strongest military of samurai  Defeated Taira family ◦Pledged loyalty to Emperor Leaves Kyoto ◦Rules from Kamakura STRONGEST FROM 1100s – 1300s

9. Samurai during Mongol Invasion

10. #2 TOKUGAWA Also called EDO EDO becomes city of TOKYO later STRONG 1600s – 1800s Rigid Social Structure ◦Born into these class ◦ 4 Classes of People  Warriors  Artisans  Merchants  Peasants