Transcript FEUDAL JAPAN - Badantweb.com

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Jeffrey Penny
Jeanette Wetzel
Sarah Akram
Hailey Sebree
Elizabeth Roslonowski
Period #5
Mr. Gronich
2/25/11
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Feudalism: is the social organization created by
exchanging grants of land or fiefs in return for
a formal oath for allegiance or promises of
loyal service
The system of feudalism has been used not
only in Japan but Germany, Western Europe
and China
Feudalism usually results in weak government
with highly powerful aristocratic lords or
rulers.
Generally no central government
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Fujiwara: highly powerful
Japanese aristocratic family
in mid-9th century
Bushi(Bushido) :feudal
Japanese warrior leaders
who administered law; also
the way of the warrior
Daimyo: loyal vassals
Samurai: mounted troops of
Japanese warrior leaders
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Zen Buddhism(Chan
Buddhism): stressed the
importance of meditation
and the appreciation of
natural and artistic beauty
Shinto: the way of the Gods
(Kami-no-michi)
Seppuku: ritual suicide or
disembowelment in Japan
Shoguns: military leaders of
the bakufu
Gempei wars: occurred for
five years from 1180 on
Honshu between the Taira
and Minamoto
families(ended with the
destruction of the Taira)
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Japan like Korea and Vietnam
borrowed and copied many
characteristics and ideas from china
and feudal china
Was born after the fall and decline
of Imperial decline
Ultimately was about the dominant
control of families and no strong
government
Lasted from 1185 to 1333 C.E.
(approximately)
However, the emperor, courts and
formal government was left intact,
but as ceremonial figure heads
The bushi controlled many civil,
military and judicial matters
The period was interrupted by the
Mongol invasions
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Feudal Japan had much warfare
The civilization was highly militaristic
Military/loyalty values such as family alliances
and ritualized combat blocked the growth of
government(hence why aristocratic families
became powerful)
Worst periods of internal conflict(civil wars)
was in 17th century
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Once again, the feudalism system generated a
weak central government
The political control rested in the hands of the
“Shogun” or military leaders
Had unsophisticated political systems
Regional leaders had armies of their own(loyalty)
Once again, rulers relied on loyalty and respect for
power
“developed political values that embraced, most
participants in the system”
Aristocratic lords controlled the mass of peasants
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They practiced Zen Buddhism
Shinto and Japanese Buddhism was a single
complex religion
Free religious freedom was granted
Participated in rituals and customs derived
from religious traditions
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Feudal Japan heavily borrowed ideas from
Chinese culture
The society was divided into various classes
Was ruled by the Shogun, who were military
leaders with absolute control
Most successful was the “Tokugawa”
shogunate(1603-1868)
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They had steel manufacturing
Mastered bronze and metalworking
Silk paintings
Produced Japanese paper
Discoveries in astronomy
Kept their handicraft making secret
Developed textile technology
Had wooden architecture
Woodworking tools
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The feudalism was highly based on military
Developed textile technology and wood
working
Lawyers or Japanese legal system emerged
However, they were successful in industrial
development
They also were adept in running Capitalist
economies
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Feudal Japan emerged after Imperial Japan fell
Emperor’s and the courts were used as
ceremonial figure heads during this era
Aristocratic Lords especially the Fujiwara were
very dominant and possessed military control
*Feudal System
Loyalty of the Japanese to their lords
contributed to the success of this era.
A period of civil war or eternal conflict also
erupted
Questions?