Feudal Japan Chapter 5, Lesson 3 EQ: What creates power struggles and stable periods of rule in societies?

Home Learning: Define Vocabulary (Chapter 5, Lesson 3) Archipelago Samurai Revenue Bushido Shogun Daimyo (DY-mee-oh) Shinto

1. What geographic feature makes Japan unique? 2. How do you think being an island nation affected Japan’s development? 3. In what ways do you think mainland nations develop differently from island nations?

Japan's isolation as an island nation has been instrumental in its development as a culture. By 500 BC it was still an undeveloped agrarian culture without cities. Outside influences which led to cultural advancement included (1) contacts with and importing of Chinese culture, especially in the areas of weaving, metals, art and government Geography of Japan Japan's isolation Key in its development as a culture An archipelago—a chain of many islands. 4,000 islands make up the archipelago 4 large islands

UNIFICATION OF JAPAN— BY SHŌTOKU TAISHI (574-622 AD) Early Japanese society was made up of clans. Aristocratic clans, however most people were poor peasants In the early seventh century, Shotoku Taishi, a prince of the Yamato clan, united the clans under a centralized government—he becomes Supreme Ruler of Japan. He organized his government based on the Chinese model.

THE NARA PERIOD: THE FUJIWARA CLAN After Shotoku’s death in 622– the Fujiwara clan gained political power Yamato ruler was still emperor, but he was strongly influenced by the Fujiwara clan. The central government could not overcome the growing dominance of the aristocrats Aristocrats don’t pay taxes on land—without taxes the central government had no revenue and lost power.

JAPANESE FEUDALISM BEGINS A decentralized government returned to Japan Heads of noble families or daimyo turned to military force—the samurai for personal protection

This scroll image shows Japanese samurai, or warriors, fighting. It is not known when the scroll was created, but it was probably completed between 1185 and 1333.  

Samurai— a class of Japanese warriors founded in the 1100s. Membership was open at first only to aristocratic men Later men from other classes were permitted to join Recognized for horsemanship and their military skills. Japanese rulers often relied on the samurai to help them gain and maintain power. They were valued culture and supported the theater, collected important Japanese paintings. They valued courage, loyalty, honor and lived by a strict warrior code—Bushido

Samurai Warrior Attire The Samurai

Samurai Sword

THE FIRST SHOGUNATE: KAMAKURA SHOGUNATE By the 12th century, rivalries among Japan’s aristocratic families resulted in constant civil war. Minamoto Yoritomo, a powerful noble defeated several rivals and set up a military government under a shogun (general) Centralized power returned under shogun Emperor remained ruler, but in name only The Kamakura Shogunate, founded by Yoritomo, lasted from 1192 to 1333.

Draw a Castle…

Warwick Castle, England

Feudal Japan

Japanese Traditional Castle

Compare & Contrast: Japanese and European Feudalism

Feudal Hierarchy Emperor – Japanese political ruler Shogun – Had the powers of a military dictator; Ruled Japan through puppet emperors Daimyo- heads of the nobles families, controlled landed estates Samurai – loyal warriors of local lords Peasant – Worked the land which belonged to the local lords

Japanese Feudal System Emperor and Shogunate Daimyo Samurai Peasants

Bell Ringer: Buddhism Briefly write a paragraph explaining what you think you know about Buddhism. Where did it originated? Which countries practice it? Who is the leader of that religion? Is it older than Christianity? What is the religion about? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzP3yxKzSJE

Japanese Religion Shinto (“the Sacred Way”) Buddhism: Belief in spirits (kami) and that the spirits of ancestors were present with them. Buddhism: Brought by Chinese monk travelers in 500s to Japan

Japanese Relgion Read “Religion and Culture” on pg. 95. Fill in the information about Shinto and Buddhism in the following table.

Japan’s Religions

Japanese Culture Chinese/Korean culture influence: Adopted Chinese system of writing Painting styles Simple arts: cooking, gardening, tea, hairdressing Strong central government

Activity: Women in Japan

Assignment: Chapter 5, Lesson 3: Review Questions #1, #3, #4, #5 1. Identifying: What did Bushido mean to the samurai? 3. Drawing Conclusions: How did Japan’s geography affect its economy and culture? 4. Evaluation: What influenced the rise and fall of central rule in medieval Japan? 5. Describing: What was life like in early Japan?