Transcript Slide 1
Yamato Period: 300-710 Began promoting adoption of Chinese culture: Confucianism Language (characters) Buddhist sects Chinese art & architecture Government structure “Great Kings” era Prince Shotoku: 573-621 Adopted Chinese culture and Confucianism Buddhist sects allowed to develop Created new government structure: 17 Article Constitution Highly Confucian Focused on morals to be expected of government officials and subjects Ensure smooth running state Emperor ruled with absolute authority One of earliest moral dictatorial documents Heian Period: 794-1156 Growth of large landed estates Arts & literature of China flourished Elaborate court life [highly refined] Personal diaries The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon [10c] Story of court life First novel The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikibu [1000 pgs.+] Moving away from Chinese models in religion, arts, and government Heian Court Dress The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon (diary) Tale of Genji (first novel) Tale of Genji Scroll (first novel) Lady Murasaki Shikibu She contributed much to the Japanese script known as kana, while men wrote with Chinese characters, kanji. Heian Period: Cultural Borrowing 1.Chinese writing 2.Chinese artistic styles 3.Buddhism [Zen] 4.BUT, not Chinese civil service system! Minamoto Yoritomo Founded the Kamakura Shogunate: 1185-1333 The emperor reigned, but did not always rule! Feudal Society Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service. Japan: Shogun Land - Shoen Land - Shoen Protection Samurai Peasant Daimyo Loyalty Daimyo Samurai Peasant Loyalty Samurai Peasant Food Peasant Code of Bushido * Fidelity * Politeness * Virility * Simplicity Seppuku: Ritual Suicide It is honorable to die in this way Kaishaku – his “seconds” Full Samurai Attire Samurai Sword Early Mounted Samurai Warriors Samurai Charging Modern-Day “Samurai Warriors” Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service. Europe King Land - Fief Land - Fief Protection Knight Peasant Lord Loyalty Lord Knight Peasant Loyalty Knight Peasant Food Peasant Code of Chivalry * Justice * Loyalty * Courage * Faith * Humility * Nobility Medieval Warriors vs. European knight Samurai Warrior Medieval Warriors vs. Knight’s Armor Samurai Armor Zen Buddhism Japanese variation of Buddhism Came from India through China Reinforced Bushido values of mental and self-discipline Mongol “Invasions” of Japan 4,400 ships and 140,000 men, but kamikaze winds stopped them Ashikaga Age: 1338-1573 ► Shoguns fought for power Laws are unclear Less efficient than Kamakura Armies of samurai protected the country C A S T L E S Osaka Castle Main Gate of Hiroshima Castle Caernorfon Castle, Wales Warwick Castle, England