Japanese Feudalism
Geography Japan made up of four main islands (Hokkaido, Kyushu, Honshu & Shikoku) & more than 3000 smaller islands. Very mountainous. Only 25% made up of plains & valleys. Agricultural land scarce. Island: provide protection & isolation. Europeans couldn’t reach till 1500s.
Resources & Climate Japan had little trade with other countries. Very self-sufficient. Farmers & Fishers provided food, abundant forests, silkworms & cotton plants & available metals. Limited arable land was extremely fertile. Mild Climate Warm ocean currents. Dependable rainfall provide longer growing season. Southern Japan has subtropical climate. Very good for growing rice & other warm weather crops.
Early Inhabitants 1st inhabitants: Jomon – hunted, fished & gathered food. Ainu – lived in northern Japan (current Hokkaido). Had separate society & territory. Fought against Japanese control, eventually being defeated. Forced to assimilate (couldn’t practice customs or speak own language). Land to farm, even though hunters & fishers. Yayoi First appeared 400 CE, from current Korea & China. Intermingled with Jomon and helped develop agriculture & metalwork. Cultivate rice.
Rice Cultivation Scientists argue that introduction of rice caused rapid population growth during Yayoi period. Growing rice requires a lot of time & person power. Paddies maintained, crops planted, cultivated, harvested, threshed & stored. Women & children participated. Shortage of rice led to hunger, famine & war. Famine 1229-1232. Money System: Samurai paid in rice, Lord’s rank & wealth related to rice production in territory.
Cultural Development Cultural Sharing: Connections with China began during the Yamato Era (300 CE). Creation of written language Kanji (360 CE). Korean’s who visited Japan used Chinese characters to describe Japan. Development of Kana (simpler, based on sounds of their language) Introduction of Buddhism and the belief in a central government. Nara Period (710-794). Continued importation of ideas from China – governing, religious, code of law & taxation systems. Buddhist monks took over government. Smallpox & Measles epidemics.
Feudalism Contract between Lord & his vassal. Both a military system and economic system.
Development of Feudalism Heian Period (794-1192 CE) Modern day Kyoto Peace & security. Cultural development, with emphasis on nature & beauty of objects. Nobles of the time were very self-absorbed. Power: most power in hands of Fujiwara family, through marriages. Lead to wealthy landowners who lived far from capital to assume more power for themselves. Acquired more land & raised armies.
Development of Feudalism After the death of Fujiwara wars of succession broke out between Taira & Minamoto families. After these wars Japan became Feudal. Local lords raised & trained armies and began to collect taxes from people who lived on their lands. After civil wars, Minamoto no Yoritomo had the Emperor appoint him supreme military commander. Calling himself Shogun (military ruler of Japan during Feudal period).
Development of Feudalism Shoguns ruled Japan and appointed officials in the Bakufu (government). Appointed governors & stewards looked after various parts of the land. Governors became feudal lords called daimyos. Samurai’s owed allegiance to their daimyo.
Society in Feudal Japan 1185 – 1868 CE – Japan had very little contact with other cultures, creating a super-village with similar values and traditions. Men & women knew their rank & role in Japan. Determined by age, gender & job. Did same job as parents. Women considered inferior to men. Power in society held by Warrior Class – Shoguns, Daimyos & Samurai. Contribution to society was important too.
Similarities (Europe & Japan) Hierarchical structure. Position in life determined by birth. Constant warfare made warriors important class. Both had code of honor. Development of Castles in both societies.
Differences (Europe & Japan) Feudalism developed through the ides of Confucius. Women samurai – expected to face death without flinching. Europe: Feudalism developed through Roman Laws, Germanic Traditions & support of the Catholic Church. Contractual obligation. Women considered fragile and needed to be protected by knights.