Early Japanese History&

Japanese Feudalism

World HistoryUnit 3: Japan

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How did Japan transform from a feudal state to a modern nation in the 19th century?

 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Review the early history of Japan to set the stage for the rule of the Fujiwara.

 

Religions of Japan• Shinto “The way of the gods”– Worships kami (nature & all its spirits)– Goal: to become part of the kami– Encourages obedience and proper behavior

Religions of Japan (Outside Influences)

• Buddhism– Came from China– Existed alongside Shinto

• Neo-Confucianism– Accepted: Filial piety, loyalty, morality (individual and political)– Rejected: Civil Service Exam (focus on nobility in Japan)

• Christianity– Missionaries arrived around 1500’s– Persecuted under the Tokugawa (Edo) Period

JAPAN’S EARLY HISTORY• Early History influenced

by the cultures of China & Korea

• The country was dominated by clans

• 400 C.E. the Tenno clan received the 3 symbols of imperial power from the Sun Goddess (Beginning of the Sun Line):

• 1. Bronze mirror• 2. Iron sword• 3. Jeweled necklace

3 Japanese Symbols of Power

• Curved Jewel– Shows Korean Influence– Example of Diplomatic Relationship between

China & Korea.

• Iron Sword– Indicates Power & Authority

• Bronze Mirror– Shaped Like Sun– Shows Importance of Sun

Bronze Mirror

Iron Sword

Curved Jewel

FUJIWARA• Take over as Sun Line

declines

• Decide to move capital to minimize control of those left from Sun Line

• Simplify structure of Chinese Government

• Introduce FEUDALISM to Japan

The capital moved to Heian, present-day KYOTO

FUJIWARA

• Adopt Kana as the new form of writing

• Chinese language adopted to Japanese culture

• Chinese characters abbreviated

FUJIWARA• By the 800’s the

emperor had lost power

• Lands Divided into Private Estates

• Nobles Gain Power• The Fujiwara

dominated and ruled for 200 years

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How did Japan transform from feudalism to a modern nation in the 19th century?

 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Break down the feudal class system in Japan and the role of the daimyo.

 

FEUDAL CLASS SYSTEM -- figurehead

-- most powerful samurai; held all of the power

-- great samurais

-- noble warriors

-- peasants, artisans, merchants; foot soldiers

LOYALTY

FEUDALISM• Warrior families

fought each other for control (Minamoto & Taira)

• As a result of the constant fighting feudalism emerged

• Emperor weakens as families battle back and forth

Minamoto Yoritomo

• Greatest Family Warrior

• Drives Taira out of Capital– Sets up NEW

CAPITAL - Kamakura

• Given title shogun-chief general of the army

Minamoto Yoritomo

• Exterminates ALL important members of the Taira family

• Kills relatives in his own clan to prevent jealousy

• Took away all lands from Tairas

• Warriors continue to battle over land to give them an occupation

Samurais

• New professional warriors become the respected Samurai class

• Similar to European Knights

• Main role is military service of the Emperor

Samurais

• Live by a code of behavior - Warrior Ethics - called Bushido

• Bushido = “Way of the Warrior”

• Obligation to support Lord in return for his protection

Samurai Bravery

• Duty to fight war until death

• Contempt for Cowards• Never turn back on enemy• Choose suicide over

capture or beheading• Most humiliating

punishment = Lack of Whole Corpse

SAMURAI SWORDS

Onin War (1467 - 1477)• Continued fighting

among clans• Problem of succession to

the Shogun• Warfare over succession

exhausts shoguns and warriors

• New Warrior Class comes to power - DAIMYOS - Powerful Samurais who own land and have warriors loyal to them; This is known as the Senegoku Period

Samurai & Daimyos

• Deconstructing History - Samurai