Japan Geography

    Japan is a large group of islands located off the mainland of Asia to the East.

Made up of 80% of mountains, just 20% of the land is flat.

Seafood was a large part of their diet.

Separate from Asia so they developed a different culture.

Early Japan and its Warring Clans

 Early Japan was divided in 100’s of different states over the 4 main islands.

 In the beginning Japanese people lived in

clans

or extended families ruled by a chief.

 All the clans were not equal and some were more powerful.

 Some clans built huge armies to conquer its neighbors.

 Eventually the strongest clan began to call themselves

emperors

of Japan.

Japanese Culture

  Contact with China blended both cultures Adopted the Chinese philosophy of

Confucianism.

 Fathers should rule the family   Wives obey husbands Children obey parents  Younger siblings obeyed older siblings

Japanese Culture

 In the early 1000’s, Lady

Murasaki Shikibu

wrote what is considered the worlds first novel,

The Tale of Genji.

 A story a princes long quest for love.

Japanese government

 During this time noble families began to occupy an important place in the

government,

emperor.

giving advice to the  Overtime, the nobles worked to weaken the emperors power because they lost touch with the common people.

Japanese Society In Trouble

 They did not pay attention to the problems facing the poor.  People began fighting for land.

 Because of this in 1192 nobles started to rely on the

warrior

class for

protection

The Samurai

     These warriors, called

samurai

society.

, defended their land & kept order in They wore light armor & fought with swords and bows.

Samurai literally means “servant.” They were meant to serve his

lord,

then the emperor. Received payment in land or food.

The Samurai

The Samurai

The Samurai Code

  All Samurai had to follow a strict code of rules that taught them how to behave called

Bushido.

“The way of the warrior”

 Be brave and honorable     Learn to fight Work on concentration ○ Poetry and Bonsai Trees Do not fear death Loyalty to the lord

The Samurai and Honor

• • •   

Honor

was the most important thing in a Samurai’s life. If he loses his honor he is expected to commit

suicide.

Losing a fight Not protecting their lord Disobeying orders Today the Samurai in Japan are like our cowboys in the U.S.