Japan: 250 CE - Present

Isolated by geography & culture Close enough to be influenced by Chinese culture; far enough away not to be conquered

- Established unique culture by blending Chinese & Japanese traditions and administrative policies; created a centralized Japanese state - Improved technology and the arts (literature, poetry and painting)

EMPEROR: figurehead; highest rank, but had no power SHOGUN: supreme military commander; held all power DAIMYO: large landowners; great warrior lords SAMURAI: (those who serve) warriors loyal to daimyo ARTISANS: craftspeople; working class PEASANTS: 4/5 of population; working class MERCHANTS: traders, working class; had little power, but eventually gained higher status System of government based on land ownership

EMPEROR SHOGUN DAIMYO SAMURAI PEASANTSARTISANS MERCHANTS

Warrior class loyal to daimyo Fought as elite soldiers; followed code of Bushido Wore body armor; skilled in use of numerous weapons

Secret society of assassins; fought for the good of the common people Mastered arts of camouflage, weaponry & stealth Attempted to uproot the evils of the feudal system in Japan; used by Ieyasu as personal bodyguards

Established traditions continue to present day Feudalism provided stability and order for over 200 years Merchant class gradually improves status through time Secured islands of threats from Mongols, Chinese and Europeans for many years Religion and Artistic Traditions develop a unique Japanese culture

Noh: Original theater; classical plays based on categories, styles & mood Kabuki: Day long historical, domestic and dance themed plays; used elaborate make-up Bunraku: Puppet theater; actors dress in black on stage

Sumo is national sport Have professional baseball, football and soccer leagues; co-hosted 2002 FIFA World Cup (South Korea)

Modernized due to trade with Europeans Realized the importance of reform and dependence on trade; opened ports to U.S. and eventually other nations Became imperialistic by taking Korea, Manchuria, Taiwan Industrialized & modernized industry and military

Expansionism & militarization in early 1900’s Russo-Japanese War (1904) Expanded influence and territorial holdings after World War I (1919) Occupied Manchuria (1931); resigned from the League of Nations (1933) & joined Axis Powers with Germany & Italy (1940) Precipitated Second Sino-Japanese War (1937– 1945) Attacked U.S. (Pearl Harbor) in 1941; declared war on Allies; recipient of two atomic bombings (Hiroshima, Nagasaki) 1945; war cost millions of lives and destroyed industry and infrastructure

Adopted constitution (1947); unitary constitutional monarchy with emperor and elected parliament (Diet); Allied occupation ended (1952); granted membership in United Nations (1956) Currently a major economic power; world's 2nd largest GDP Member of G8, G4 and APEC; large defense budget; large exporter, importer and world leader in technology and machinery

Japan has hosted Winter and Summer Olympics three times: Tokyo- 1964, Sapporo 1972, Nagano 1998 Tokyo will host 2020 Summer Olympics