1. Ancient Japan

2. Japan – Geography
Japan consists of four large islands and thousands of smaller ones
Kyushu (south)
Hokkaido (north)
Honshu (main)
Shikoku
Japan faces China & Korea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east
Japan is part of an archipelago
Japan has extreme climates
Snow in islands to the north
Tropics (almost) in islands to the south

3. Japan – Geography Japan is a part of the Ring of Fire
Sits on a plate boundary
Volcanoes and earthquakes
Japan is mountainous
20% is farmable
Most live on coast or few plains

4. Japan – Geography
First settlers likely came during the Ice Age (11,000 years ago)
Land bridge – Korea (south)
Land bridge – Siberia (north)
Survived by hunting/fishing
Another group arrived around 300 CE
New farming technique
- rice in irrigated fields
Because of proximity – barrowed..
China – writing system
Korea – Buddhism
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5. Japan – Religion Shinto Native religion of Japan Means “way of gods”
Each clan worshiped own kami (god/spirit)
Kami found in natural objects (trees)
People built shrines wherever felt the power of kami

6. Japan – Religion Shinto Myth (first emperor)
Sun Goddess and the Storm God (brother)
Each god supported a different clan who wanted to rule Japan
Sun Goddess won and her grandson Ninigi became ruler
She gave him three treasures:
a bronze mirror (symbol of truth)
a sword (symbol of wisdom)
a curved jewel (symbol of kindness)
Niningi passed symbols down to his grandson Jimmu who became first emperor in about 600 B.C.

7. Japan - Religion
Buddhism
Entered Japan in 552 from Korea
Many sects

8. Japan – Religion Pure Land Buddhism Appealed to all classes
Most popular in Japan today
Centers around a bodhisattva known as Amida
He ruled a paradise called Pure Land
Bodhisattva is enlightened being who choose to stay on earth and help others
By placing trust in Amida and repeating his name, followers entered a paradise called Pure Land upon death

9. Japan – Religion Zen Buddhism Came from China
Stressed meditation – clear mind to achieve spiritual development
Focus on self-control and discipline
Appealed to samurai class
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10. Japan - Achievements The Tale of Genji
Considered to be the first novel in the world
It is about the romantic adventures of a prince named Genji
It was written by a woman named Murasaki Shikibu – she served the empress

11. Japan - Achievements Yamato-e (scroll paintings) Distinctly Japanese
Story is told as the scroll is unrolled
The story is told with pictures and sometimes words

12. Japan - Achievements Noh drama Serious and intense style of drama
Used colorful costumes, masks, chants, music, and dance
Feature gods, warriors, beautiful women, mad people, ghosts, and devils
An evening of Noh drama would included several serious plays with funny skits in between

13. Japan - Achievements Kana
Around 900, Japanese simplified writing system
New set of symbols called kana
Each kana stood for one syllable
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14. Japan - Politics First Emperor
Historians believe the first emperor appeared around A.D. 200 or 300
Several clans competed/fought for land and power
The Yamato clan gradually gained power over Japan

15. Japan - Politics Yamato Clan
The Yamato clan gradually gained power over Japan
They would try to win another clans loyalty through marriage or warfare if necessary
They claimed to be descendants from the Sun Goddess
They believed they were living gods

16. Japan - Politics Prince Shotoku Took power in 593
He was a regent – a person who governs in the name of a ruler (too young or unable to rule)
Goal was to unite Japan

17. Japan - Politics Prince Shotoku Goal was to unite Japan
Bring Buddhism to Japan
Reduce power of clan leaders - people looked to clan leaders as Shinto priests
Having one faith would unite the country
Bring Confucianism to Japan
Respect for family and social order
Prince Shotoku gave Japan it’s first constitution or plan of government
It was called the Constitution of Seventeen articles
Based on Buddhist and Confucian thought
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18. Japan - Politics Reform
Prince Shotoku’s work carried on after his death in 622
Taika Reform – means “great change”
Law that made everyone subject to the emperor
Lands and people controlled by the clans now belonged to the emperor

19. Japan - Politics Reform
To carry out the reform, a new law code was issued to the entire country
Called the The Taiho Code
Officially made the Yamato clan leader emperor
Included laws for the organization of local government
Defined crimes and punishments

20. Japan - Politics Two New Capitals
Taika Reform also called for the building of a permanent capitol
The city of Nara was chosen and modeled after Chang’an in China
Buddha influence dominated the capital
Government officials felt threatened by wealth and power of Buddhist monks – moved the capital to Heian-kyo or Koyoto
Monks & monasteries were not allowed to follow

21. Japan - Politics The Fujiwara Family
In the 800’s, the emperors power began to fade
Fujiwara family ran the country
The emperor was a “puppet”
Sisters or daughters would marry princes
Ruled for about 300 years & Japan was unified

22. Japan - Politics The Shoguns
The Taira and Minamoto clans fought together and were able to drive the Fujiwara family from power
Over the years power shifted between the two clans

23. Japan - Politics The Shoguns – Minamoto Yoritomo
In 1159, the Minamoto clan stormed the palace in Kyoto
In 1185, the two clans fought at sea
Minamoto Yoritomo was the winner and he took the title of Shogun – did not plan to give up the title
A new social order was developed
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24. Japan - Economy Heian Period Trade increased – economic growth
Towns sprang up
Along trade routes
As artisans created more goods for trading
Around monasteries
Artisans made goods and merchants bought and sold them
Trade increased with China
Exported
Swords
Pearls
Copper
Wood

25. Japan - Social What is feudalism?
Each daimyo relied on peasants to work the land.
In exchange for their labor, he provided protection.
The protection came in the form of samurai warriors
The daimyo would then give money or land to the samurai

26. Japan - Social Emperor Shogun Daimyo Samurai
Peasants/Merchants/Artisa ns
Japan - Social
A New Social Order
Life under Shoguns was lawless and violent
New social order developed

27. Japan - Social Emperors (during Shoguns)
Had the highest rank, but held no real power

28. Japan - Social 2. Shoguns (during Shoguns) Actual ruler of Japan
Highest military rank

29. Japan - Social 3. Daimyo (during Shoguns)
Large landowners who protected peasants in exchange for labor

30. Japan - Social 4. Samurai Highly trained warriors
Trained fiercely, fought bravely, died with honor
Followed a code called the bushido
Bushido means “the way of the warrior”

31. Japan - Social 4. Samurai Personal Honor Loyalty to one’s lord
Pride in how trained and fought
Pride in appearance (robe, armor, & horse)
Loyalty to one’s lord
More important than family, religion, or emperor

32. Japan - Social 5. Peasants/Merchants/Artisans (during Shoguns)
Made up about three fourths of the population
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