Japan

Geography:

•Archipelago:–group of

islands under control of one government

Japanese Religions

Shintoism• -"way of the gods"• -worshipped kami

(spirit found in all living and nonliving things)• -deep respect for

nature

Confucianism

• Japan adopted ideas of strong

central government,

honoring parents and elders, and

respect for learning

Buddhism

• introduced from Korea• - idea of gaining

peace through meditation appealed to Japanese

Zen Buddhism

• introduced by Chinese monks

• used meditation to achieve enlightenment but also included activities, painting, training to use weapons

• important to Samurai

Japanese Feudalism: (1100s-1870s AD)

• Feudalism: system of government where local people (nobles) were given land in exchange for military service and loyalty to higher classes– Emperor still ruled in name, but did not have any

real power– Small ruling class was superior to their subjects– All members of Japanese society had a defined

place

Feudal structure

emperor

shogundaimyosamuraipeasants

merchants

• Emperor- stood at the top of society, but considered a figurehead

• Shogun- military and political ruler of society

• Daimyo- wealthy, elite samurai who served the shogun in protecting and ruling Japan

• Samurai- small nobility class of warriors • Peasants- produced food for all of Japan

• Merchants- although wealthier than peasants, viewed as lowest for lack of contribution to society as a whole

Reading Questions

1. Feudalism lasted in Japan for 700 years2. In the last 300 years of feudalism the rest of

the world was going through the Renaissance, French and American Revolutions and start of the Industrial Revolution

3. Daimyo or Lord4. The emperor gave the Minamoto clan the title

of Shogun

Reading Questions

5. Example of a country today that has a figurehead is Britain6. Explain the saying:

Death happens all the time but duty is the most important

7. Loyalty and indifference to suffering8 The Samurai ended the Mongol invasion