1. Medieval Society, Economy and Culture

2. Retreat of Epidemic disease Demographic base of medieval agricultural revolution Population growth Land Clearance Compact Settlements Diffusion of Technology

3. Medieval agricultural revolution: Clearing fields

4. Medieval agricultural revolution: plowing, planting Water wheels Metal tools Double cropping Fertilizer Population rises -> 6 to 12 million, from about 1200-1600

5. Greater productivity-> greater specialization At first, under patronage of temples or nobles; a sort of “estate”, generating shiki or shares Artisan colonies become independent of estate owners Pay dues to a lord in exch. for protection Markets emerge

6. Mugging at the medieval marketplace

8. Medieval Kyoto, female money lender

9. Medieval Kyoto commercial district

10. Medieval Kyoto street life

11. New Economic Context for Cultural Life Economic developments > social changes Economic developments > social changes Increased stratification in peasants communities Increased stratification in peasants communities New class of merchants and artisans in cities New class of merchants and artisans in cities Enables new support for culture, religion Enables new support for culture, religion

12. New Buddhist Sects Kyoto and Nara Buddhism too exclusive & complicated (ritualistic) for new classes Kyoto and Nara Buddhism too exclusive & complicated (ritualistic) for new classes Salvation ideas within Tendai became popular from late Heian period Salvation ideas within Tendai became popular from late Heian period Amida would save humans in age of decline Amida would save humans in age of decline Rebirth in Pure Land (Paradise) stop-over to Nirvana Rebirth in Pure Land (Paradise) stop-over to Nirvana

13. Genshin’s “Essentials of Salvation” Imported from China Imported from China Depicted paradise and hell for the first time Depicted paradise and hell for the first time Easy to understand also for commoners Easy to understand also for commoners

14. Amida Buddhism: 2 versions H ō nen (1133-1212): Pure Land H ō nen (1133-1212): Pure Land Invocation of Amida superior to other methods Invocation of Amida superior to other methods Repeated recitation of Nembutsu (Praise Amida) Repeated recitation of Nembutsu (Praise Amida)

15. (2) Jōdo Shinshū: True Pure Land Shinran (1173-1262) Shinran (1173-1262) Brought Amidism to its logical conclusion Brought Amidism to its logical conclusion One sincere thought enough One sincere thought enough Popular among lower classes and warriors Popular among lower classes and warriors

16. Nichiren (1222-1282) All secrets can be found in the Lotus Sutra All secrets can be found in the Lotus Sutra Uncompromising and nationalistic Uncompromising and nationalistic Japan would reinvigorate Buddhism Japan would reinvigorate Buddhism But only if Nichiren's Buddhism was followed But only if Nichiren's Buddhism was followed Predicted Mongol invasions Predicted Mongol invasions Nichiren/Lotus Sect Nichiren/Lotus Sect

17. Tariki (strength of others) vs. Jiriki (strength of self Belief that individuals’ actions cannot bring them to nirvana Belief that individuals’ actions cannot bring them to nirvana Reliance on others Reliance on others Pure Land Pure Land True Pure Land True Pure Land Belief that true understanding can only come from within Belief that true understanding can only come from within Reliance on self Reliance on self Zen Zen

18. Zen Buddhism founders Eisai (1141-1215) (at left) and Dōgen (1200-1253) (not pictured

19. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu

20. Gold Pavilion

21. Ryōanji rock garden Tea Ceremony implements

22. Medieval Noh performance

23. Noh Performers

25. Conclusions Economic vitality despite (or because of) political disunity Economic vitality despite (or because of) political disunity Religious vitality and diversity, linked to more complex society and economy Religious vitality and diversity, linked to more complex society and economy Draws on cultural flows from Asian continent Draws on cultural flows from Asian continent