1. Japanese Feudal System
Shoguns, Daimyo and Samurai

2. What is a feudal system?
Feudalism = A system of obligations that bound lords and their subjects to a king or leader. In theory, the king owned all or most of the land and gave it to his leading nobles in return for their loyalty and military service. Under feudalism, people were born with a permanent position in society.

3. What was life like outside the Heian Court?
Outside of the emperor’s influence (and notice) Japan was chaotic and dangerous.
Powerful nobles fought each other for land.
Rebels fought against imperial officials.
Peasants grew poorer and some turned to crime.

4. How did feudalism develop?
With the emperor distracted by life at court, large landowners decided they needed to protect their own lands.
These landowners (daimyo) hired professional warriors (samurai).
Some daimyo decided to take power for themselves (from the emperor).
After a long war between two rival families, the Minamoto clan leader took the title of shogun. The shogun was a military leader who ruled in the emperor’s name.

5. Japanese Feudal Society
Emperor – The emperor was a figurehead for the powerful shogun.
Shogun – A powerful military leader, the shogun ruled in the emperor’s name.
Daimyo and Samurai – Daimyo were powerful lords who often led armies of samurai. Samurai warriors served the shogun and daimyo.
Peasants – Most Japanese were poor peasants who had no power.

6. Shogun Daimyo

7. Samurai Facts Samurai means “servant”.
Samurai wore light armor made of cloth interwoven with metal strips.
Samurai fought with swords and bows. All samurai carried two swords.
A samurai inherited his position from his father. There were very limited opportunities for movement between classes.
Samurai were paid with land or food for their service.

8. Samurai Facts (continued)
Samurai lived by a code of honor called “Bushido” or “the way of the warrior”.
The most important behavior for a samurai was to serve his lord loyally.
Bushido teaches that a samurai must always live with honor. A samurai who brought himself dishonor often committed suicide.
Other important traits include: bravery and self discipline.

11. Ninja vs. Samurai