1. BELL WORK: Copy these questions on a formatted sheet titled “Japanese Feudalism”. Have your notes ready!
1. What two causes led to the rise of shogunate governments in Japan?
2. Who had more power in Japan, the emperor or the shogun?
3. How long did shogunates rule Japan after their rise in the 1100s?
4. Who were the daimyo?
5. Why did the daimyo employ Samurai warriors?
6. What did the Samurai receive in return for their feudal service to the daimyo?
7. What groups of people made up 80% of Japan’s population during the Shogunate period?

2. Feudal Japan

3. By the early 1100s, a period similar to the Middle Ages in Europe began in Japan.
Noble families in Japan started using their samurai armies to fight one another.
In return, Japan became a Feudal Society.

5. Shoguns Shoguns were the military commanders who ruled in Japan.
During feudal Japan, the rose to power – having MORE power than the emperor.
They gained so much power because of
WEAK GOVERNMENT  Civil Wars, Weak leaders
INVADERS  Mongols
Shoguns RULED for 700 years!!

6. Daimyo Daimyo were lords under the Shoguns.
LORDS  Rulers of territories
They worked directly under the shogun. They governed lands as individual states.
They used samurai to form local armies to guard their lands.

7. Samurai Samurai were vassals, or warriors.
Japanese samurai followed the Code of Bushido, “the way of the warrior”.
*** Sound Familiar??? Medieval Knights followed the Code of Chivalry.
In return for pledging their loyalty to the daimyo, they were given land.

8. Society Under the Shoguns
Japan produced more goods, trade increased, & grew richer!
Though only the top classes were able to enjoy the wealth.
Japanese farmers, merchants, craftsmen remained poor.
Farmers, Merchants, & Craftsmen made up 80% of Japan’s population.
Though this new gained wealth came directly from the hard labor of the farmers, merchants, and craftsmen.
Trade grew so much that they had to set up groups of merchants to help organize trade, protect jobs, and increase earning.
These groups were called guilds.

9. Comparison of Feudal Europe and Feudal Japan:
Europe Only
Similarities
Japan Only
Hierarchies
Warrior code of behavior
Armor and weapons
King, noble, knight, serf
Lord and vassal relationships based on loyalty and obligation.
Built castles, land worked by peasants.
Extra layer: emperor, then shogun, daimyo, samurai, peasant
Loyalty, bravery, respect
Samurai followed Bushido.
Samurai would kill themselves rather than lose honor.
Knights followed Chivalry.
Archery is important.
Suits of armor were hard.
Broadswords are important
Samurai had the katana (curved sword) and their armor was flexible.