Transcript Feudal Japan

Concise Timeline of Japanese History
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Reform Period 552-710 CE
– 17 Point Constitution
– Taika Reform
Nara Period 710-784
– Introduction of Buddhism
Heian Period 794-1185
– Fujiwara (10th -11th centuries)
Kamakura (1185-1333), and Ashikaga Shogunates (13361573)
Unification Period 1568-1600
Tokugawa (Edo) Period 1600-1867
Meiji Period 1867-1912
Nippon - “Land of the Rising
Sun”
•The Japanese flag depicts a red sun on a white
ground.
•The Chinese view of Japan – to the East
•Japanese legend suggests their origins begin with
the sun Goddess, Amaterasu, who sent her
grandson to Earth.
Geography of Japan
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Japan is separated from its nearest neighbor (Korea) by 120
miles of ocean
Japan is made of approximately 4,000 islands called an
archipelago, or island group
The group is about 1,200 miles long (from Canada to Florida)
Japan has a varied climate, from mild with plenty of rain to
mountainous and snow
Only 15% is suitable for farming
Natural resources include (but they are in short supply):
– Coal
– Oil
– Iron
Threats such as typhoons( or hurricanes), Earthquakes, and tidal
waves can occur
Japan and the United States
Japanese Farming
Inventive use of limited arable land
Early Japan
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The first historic mention of Japan comes from
Chinese writings in A.D. 300 – land of the rising
sun to the East of China
Japan was controlled by hundreds of clans within
their own territories
Each clan worshipped its own nature gods
The variety of worship eventually became Japan’s
first religion - Shinto
– Shinto - meaning “way of the gods”
• Had no complex rituals or philosophy
• Based on respect for the forces of nature and the worship of
ancestors
• Anything unusual or beautiful was considered home for a
kami, or divine spirit
•Amaterasu
The Sun Goddess – created
when Izanagi cleared his left
eye in a pool of water.
•Tsukuyomi, the moon god
•Sarutahiko, kami of earth
• Izanagi, the first man
• Izanami, the first woman
•Susanoo, god of storms, created from
the nose of Izangi
Music of Japan
Music of early Japan reflects connection with and
inspiration from nature.
 Can you guess the titles of the following songs?
 Many Japanese instruments fall into these
categories:
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– Percussion (gongs, drums)
– Wind (flutes)
– Strings (lutes, zithers, banjo-type instruments etc)
Song One (s)
 Song Two (w)
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Titles
Song One = Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)
 Song Two = The Wind in the Pine Tree
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Flowers of
Edo (c 1880)
(Woman
playing the
long-necked
banjo
Japanese Emperors
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The Yamato clan came to power and claimed to be
the emperors of Japan mid-6th century
– Enacted reforms that gave state control over all land
– Vinigi was the grandson of Amaterasu of myth
– The sacred regalia surrounding Vinigi (bronze mirror,
sword, and a curved jewel) gave the emperor’s the
right to rule.
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Early on the emperors did not control the entire
country, and became a figurehead; He “reigned, but
did not rule”
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Clans (uji) fought over the right to control the
emperor and fought in his name
Dual Structure of Japanese government from this
Nara period (named after the town of Nara) through
the 20th century
Cultural Adaptation
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During the sixth century Koreans migrated to Japan
bringing Chinese culture with them
Powerful T’ang dynasty heavily influenced Japan as
well, as a model of a centralized state
Buddhism became a heavy influence on Shintoism in
the 6th century, causing Shintoism to evolve
– Some Japanese even converted to Buddhism, including Prince
Shotoku in the early 7th century
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The Japanese were highly influenced by T’ang
– Adopting the Chinese system of writing
– Paintings were done in a Chinese manner
• Also… cooking, gardening, drinking tea, and hairdressing
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The Japanese continued to learn from the Chinese for
approximately 200 years
Prince Shotoku (574-622)
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Heavily influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism –
Chinese T’ang influences
– Humanist, as was Confucius
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17 Article Constitution (604 AD)
– Government should be ethical, and people should obey for
moral reasons rather than being forced to do so
– Set up behavior for ruling class – an effort to use a written
constitution to enforce emperor’s authority.
• “Harmony should be prized”
• “Ministry should obey imperial commands”
• “Behave decorously”
• “Reject covetous desires”
• “Attend court every morning”
Heian Period
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The noble families move the capital from Nara to
Heian (modern day Kyoto) in 794 AD
Nobles flocked to Heian and spent their days in
the pursuit of ritual and artistic activities
Etiquette dictated everything from sword length,
the color of robes, even the number of skirts worn
by women.
Aristocrats looked down upon the common people
Historical records typically came from the diaries
and accounts of women in the noble court (will be
discussed later in these notes)
Feudalism Disrupts the Empire
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In the 11th century noble families lost interest in
governing and power began to fade
Taika Reform (645 AD) established militia units
to protect small counties
– Large landowners, mounted warriors, began to setup
their own private armies
– Beginning of a distinct warrior class in Japan
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They protected farmers and continued to gain
power.
These Landowners became known as warlords
The feudal system was being established
The emperor
reigned, but did
not always rule!
Feudal
Society
DO NOW in your notes:
Why are Merchants
and Artisans in the
lowest classes?
Feudal
Society
The Samurai
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The warlords surrounded themselves with loyal
body-gaurds called samurai
– Samurai - one who serves
– Riding, and the use of the Bow and Sword essential to the
training of Samurai
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Samurai lived according to a strict code of behavior
– This code will later be called Bushido or “the way of the
warrior”
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Samurais were expected to show reckless courage,
reverence for the gods, fairness, and generosity to
those weaker than himself
Dying honorably was more important than living a
long life
Examining the Samurai’s Code
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A Samurai’s first allegiance was to his feudal lord
“death before dishonor” meaning Samurai
preferred suicide to capture by an enemy
The Samurai will adapt their tactics and arms over
time
– Ex: from arrows to bullets, single combat to advancing
in groups
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Samurai women - wives and daughters, were
expected to observe the same strict code
– Some women became skilled in the martial arts and
fought in battle
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Samurai will become adept in nonmilitary arts like
poetry, calligraphy, and the tea ceremony.
The Code of Bushido
* Fidelity
* Politeness
* Virility
* Simplicity
*HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO THE
THREE MASTERS OF EUROPEAN
KNIGHTS?
*GOD, LORD, LADY
The Shogun
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After years of war one warlord gained control
The emperor gave him the title of Shogun or “supreme
general of the emperors army”
– The shogun was essentially a military dictator
– Even though the emperor ruled from Kyoto the shogun had
the real power from their headquarters.
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The Shogunate or rule of the shoguns lasted until 1868.
The shogun controlled the land by giving power to
governors called daimyo or “Great Lords”
The Shoguns were able to defend Japan from the
Mongol invasions of the late 13th century
– Soon after their control began to weaken leaving local lords in
control
Periods and Names of the Shoguns
Fujiwara – name of the family that held the
Shogunate (10th-11th centuries)
 Kamakura – name of the city in which the
Shogun lived (1185-1333)
 Ashikaga – name of the family that held the
Shogunate (1336-1573)
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The First and Last
Shoguns
Heian Court Dress
“The Tale of Genji”
by Lady Murasaki
Considered the
Worlds first novel
– written around
1000 AD
Tale of Genji
Murasaki Shikibu (978-1016) was also a
lady-in-waiting
 54 Chapters, 2 parts
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– Part One: Genji is the son of the emperor and
is called “The Shining One”
• Pursuit of love is his vocation
– Part Two: What life is like after Genji’s death –
is life empty without a centralizing person?
– The whole book focuses on the meaning of life
and the nature of love
“The Pillow Book”
by Sei Shonagon (diary)
“Pillow Book”
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A book kept in a wooden pillow
– Essentially a diary
– Loose stories of verse, poem-tales, and diary
entries
Sei Shonagon was a lady-in-waiting, a woman
kept at court to be married off to a suitor.