Japan Returns to Isolation
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Transcript Japan Returns to Isolation
Japan Returns to Isolation
World History
May 2013
New Feudalism Under Strong Leaders
Civil War shattered Feudal
system (1467)
Centralized rule ended
Local lords began to rule and a
violent era of disorder followed
“Warring States” Period
DAIMYO:
Powerful samurai that took
control of old feudal estates
Offered peasants protection in return for loyalty
Built castles, established armies
Often fought each other for territory
Tokugawa Shogunate Unites Japan
Shogun: a hereditary military dictator of Japan, from
1192-1867
Defeated his rivals at the BATTLE OF SEKIGAHARA
Impressive victory… daimyo across Japan now
respected him
Moved capital to Edo
All daimyo had to live there every other year… if
they wanted to leave they had to keep their family
in Edo as hostages! (Alternate Attendance Policy)
Rule of Law
overcame Rule
of the Sword
Life in Tokugawa
Japan
Very structured
Ruler = shogun, military commander
Peasants = 4/5 population
Spiritual Influences
Confucian values influenced society
EXCEPT… according to Confucius the
ideal society depends on agriculture and
farmers should be respected…
NOT SO in Tokugawa (farmers
pay heavy taxes and have a
harder life)
Shift!
Rural Urban society
Edo (capital) grows a population over
1 million
More employment opportunities for
women
However, most women still lived
sheltered & restricted lives, caring
for children and obeying her
husband
Culture
Traditional entertainment continued (ceremonial noh
dramas)– see an example of this here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o--VbWf6M0c
Haiku: 5-7-5-syllable, 3-verse poetry
Example:
On a journey, ailing–
My dreams roam about
Over a withered moor.
Matsuo Basho
Pop Quiz
How would the “alternate
attendance policy” restrict the
daimyo?
How is Matsuo Basho’s haiku
a poem about death?