How was early Japan’s society designed? Notes #32

Early Japan’s society was based on the system of feudalism.

Feudalism in Japan was similar to feudalism in Europe in that power was based on class relationships and the amount of land controlled. European Feudalism: Japanese Feudalism:

Tokugawa Ieyasu (a shogun) In feudal Japan, the shoguns (or military commanders) had the most power, and they gave land to lords, called the daimyo. Tokugawa Ieyasu (a shogun)

Much like Europe, warriors dominated the feudal system in Japan.

The warriors of Japan were called the samurai, who pledged their loyalty to the daimyo (in exchange for land) and protected the peasants.

Seppuku (a ritual suicide) The samurai lived by the code of bushido, which was similar to the practice of chivalry by European knights. Seppuku (a ritual suicide)

In Japan, the samurai code of bushido helped bring about a culture that accepted militarism. 

The popularity of the samurai in Japan declined during the late 1800s, when Japan began to modernize itself. Gatling gun  Meiji Restoration (1868 – 1912)