1. The Japanese Feudal System
Standard 7.5.3
Ch 5 Medieval Japan

2. The Shogun
military ruler of a warrior government set up in Japan in 1192
Shogun means “great general”
supported by nobles called daimyo who were his vassals
Minamoto Yoritomo:
became first shogun

3. Armor worn by first Shogun

4. Daimyo powerful military lord loyal to shogun
daimyo gets land and protection from shogun in return for their loyalty
all daimyo were potential challengers for power unless kept under shogun’s control
some daimyo owned much land

5. Samurai means “those who serve”
samurai were soldiers who serve the daimyo in return for land
Bushido:
-- code of conduct for samurai
-- Loyalty, Honor, Courage, Refinement, and Excellence.

6. Samurai Armor

7. Samurai Warrior in Armor

8. Samurai Bushido The Samurai is obedient to his lord.
It is a Samurai's right to protest against bad judgments or orders from his lord and death is the final protest Samurai can make.
The Samurai is ready to die at any time.
There is no such thing as failure, only death or success.
To die in the service of one's lord is the greatest service a Samurai can render.
Dishonor to lord or family is also dishonor to the Samurai.
All debts, both vengeance and gratitude, are repaid.
Cowardice is dishonorable.

10. Seppuku
Seppuku, also known as hara-kiri, is a form of ritual suicide used by samurai. It can be given by a lord as punishment or chosen by an individual for a number of reasons. A samurai must request permission from his feudal superior in order to commit seppuku.
Samurai convicted of significant crimes are usually ordered to commit seppuku. This is a privilege of their caste, or social class, allowing them to commit suicide rather than face shameful execution.

13. Samurai Sword