World History CP

Early Japanese Society Earliest Japanese society was organized into clans, or groups of families descended from a common ancestor. Each family inherited its position; warriors, farmers, weavers, potters By 400 A.D.: Several clans formed a union and settled in the district called Yamato.

Early Japanese Society The clans of Yamato united much of Japan and even governed a small area of southern Korea. Tenno Clan Led the union Claimed to be descended from the sun goddess Amaterasu. In time, set up Japan’s first and only ruling dynasty.

Adapting Chinese Patterns 500s: Missionaries from Korea introduced Buddhism and Chinese culture to Japan. Brought Chinese script, which became Japan’s first written language. Japanese were impressed with the Chinese. 607 A.D.: Prince Shotoku of the imperial family sent a group of Japanese nobles to China. Spent years studying Chinese government, art, literature, science, and philosophy.

Adapting Chinese Patterns Chinese influence reached every level of Japanese life. Government Confucian and Daoist philosophies Used Chinese tools and farming methods Raised Chinese crops Absorbed Chinese ideas about music, dance, sculpture, and architecture. Adopted the Chinese idea of one set capital.

Adapting Chinese Patterns Despite borrowing from the Chinese, Japan still maintained their own identity. Selected the ideas that worked for them. Wouldn’t use the ideas that didn’t work. Tried civil service but scrapped it. Never accepted the Mandate of Heaven Accepted Buddhism, but kept traditional beliefs. Did not change dynasties, unlike the Chinese.

Heian Court 794: Emperor moved his court to Heian, present-day Kyoto. During this time the developed a new Japanese system of writing called kana. The power of the emperor was declining, and by the 800s great court families controlled Japan. Divided land into private estates, which they assigned to local strongmen. Peasants worked the land.

Heian Court Slowly, a single family, the Fujiwara gained great land wealth and concentrated power in their own hands. Fujiwara ruled Japan for 200 years. Emperor became a figured head. Carried out religious duties but had no real power.

Japanese Feudalism During the 1100s, strong warrior families challenged the power of the Heian court. Samurai, or warrior knights, waged fierce battles for control of the land. Feudalism emerged out of the conflict. Feudalism: System where local lords ruled the land, but they had to be loyal to the emperor.

Japanese Feudalism 1192: Minamoto Yoritomo had emerged as the strongest military figure in Japan. The emperor gave him the title of shogun, or chief general of the army. A new feudal class system emerged under Minamoto and his successors.

Japanese Feudalism Japanese Feudal System Emperor stood at the head of the system, but remained a figurehead. The shogun exercised the most power. Controlled the land and the people. Commanded an army of samurai. Commoners Peasants, artisans, merchants

Japanese Feudalism In theory, the Shogun commanded complete loyalty of his lords. In practice, the samurai lords and their followers battled for power with the shogun and one another. By the 1400s, Japan was in constant state of war. The shogunate passed from one military family to another.

Achieving Unity 1500s: Several strong military leaders pushed to reunite Japan. Toyotomi Hideyoshi Able general who was the most successful in reuniting Japan. 1590: Brought all of Japan under his control. Invaded Korea and hoped to conquer China. Failed in his goals, but built the foundations for a united Japan.

Achieving Unity 1600: Tokugawa Ieyasu, Hideyoshi’s successor, claimed the title of shogun. Set up the Tokugawa shogunate, which lasted until During this time, shoguns created a peaceful, orderly society under centralized feudalism.

Achieving Unity Tokugawa shoguns left feudal class in place, but brought the daimyo under their control. Daimyo: great samurai Shogun required daimyo to spend every other year in Edo (Tokyo). Daimyo had to leave their wives and children in Edo as permanent hostages to ensure their good behavior. Emperor remained a powerless figurehead.

Achieving Unity Economic and Social Changes: Edo grew from a small fishing village to a bustling city. Roads improved. Trade and travel increased. Cities and towns sprang up by harbors and along rivers. New economic markets developed.

Achieving Unity Economic and Social Changes: The daimyo and their samurai followers had to adapt to the changing conditions. No longer spent all its time fighting. Some samurai became government officials. Others managed the estates of daimyos and the shogun. Education became more widespread. By the early 1800s, Japan had become a unified nation in many ways.

An Isolated Nation Early on, the Tokugawas felt threatened by the growing number of westerners who were arriving in Japan. Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English Catholic missionaries had success in converting people, which angered the shogun. Early 1600s: Japanese government began persecuting foreign missionaries and Japanese Christians. 1639: Japan was closed to the world. Foreigners were forbidden from entering the country. Japanese who left couldn’t return. Outlawed the building of ocean-going ships. Exceptions: Some contact with China, Korea, and the Dutch. Isolation lasted for more than 200 years.