Feudal Japan
Yamato Period: 300-710 “Great Kings” era Began promoting adoption of Chinese culture: Confucianism Language (characters) Buddhist sects Chinese art & architecture Government structure “Great Kings” era
Prince Shotoku: 573-621 Adopted Chinese culture and Confucianism Buddhist sects allowed to develop Created new government structure: 17 Article Constitution Highly Confucian Focused on morals to be expected of government officials and subjects Ensure smooth running state Emperor ruled with absolute authority One of earliest moral dictatorial documents
Heian Period: 794-1156 Arts & literature of China flourished Growth of large landed estates Arts & literature of China flourished Elaborate court life [highly refined] Personal diaries The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon [10c] Story of court life First novel The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikibu [1000 pgs.+] Moving away from Chinese models in religion, arts, and government
Heian Court Dress
The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon (diary)
Tale of Genji (first novel)
Tale of Genji Scroll (first novel)
Lady Murasaki Shikibu She contributed much to the Japanese script known as kana, while men wrote with Chinese characters, kanji.
Heian Period: Cultural Borrowing Chinese writing Chinese artistic styles Buddhism [Zen] BUT, not Chinese civil service system!
Founded the Kamakura Shogunate: 1185-1333 Minamoto Yoritomo Founded the Kamakura Shogunate: 1185-1333
The emperor reigned, but did not always rule! Feudal Society
Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service. Japan: Shogun Land - Shoen Loyalty Land - Shoen Daimyo Daimyo Loyalty Samurai Samurai Samurai Food Protection Peasant Peasant Peasant Peasant
Code of Bushido Fidelity Politeness Virility Simplicity
Seppuku: Ritual Suicide It is honorable to die in this way Kaishaku – his “seconds”
Full Samurai Attire
Samurai Sword
Early Mounted Samurai Warriors
Samurai Charging
Modern-Day “Samurai Warriors”
Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service. Europe King Land - Fief Loyalty Land - Fief Lord Lord Loyalty Knight Knight Knight Food Protection Peasant Peasant Peasant Peasant
Code of Chivalry Justice Loyalty Courage Faith Humility Nobility
Medieval Warriors vs. European knight Samurai Warrior
Medieval Warriors vs. Knight’s Armor Samurai Armor
Zen Buddhism Japanese variation of Buddhism Came from India through China Reinforced Bushido values of mental and self-discipline
4,400 ships and 140,000 men, but kamikaze winds stopped them Mongol “Invasions” of Japan 4,400 ships and 140,000 men, but kamikaze winds stopped them
Ashikaga Age: 1338-1573 Shoguns fought for power Laws are unclear Less efficient than Kamakura Armies of samurai protected the country
C A S T L E S
Osaka Castle
Main Gate of Hiroshima Castle
Caernorfon Castle, Wales
Warwick Castle, England
Feudal Japan