Little is known about Japan before 400 C.E.

Japan was organized into clans The Yamato’s

Only dynasty to exist in China Established itself as the leading clan Clan chiefs claimed to be emperor▪ Each lacked any real power over Japan▪ Clans fought one another for control, but claimed to

rule in the name of the Yamato Emperor▪ Japan had an emperor as a figure head and a ruling

power behind the throne

Prince Shotoku sends three missions to China Over the next 200 years, Japanese would send

missions to learn about Chinese ways Prince Shotoku instituted reforms

Centralized and bureaucratic government Meritocracy/civil service exams

Reforms would be overturned Noble families would hold real power

Fujiwara family comes to dominate Japan

Emperor moves capital to Heian (Kyoto) Establish a court society

Nobles gathered in a court with elaborate rituals and artistic pursuits▪ Everyone at court was expected to write poetry &

laugh▪ No laughing in public▪ Color of robes, length of swords, number of skirts worn

by women were all regulated by the court▪ All about etiquette

Land owners and clan chiefs became upset with luxurious lifestyle of the Heian Court

Fujiwara family loses power of central government

Chaos reigned supreme in the countryside Large landowners hired soldiers for protection Small landowners exchanged parts of their land

for this protection▪ Large Landowners become even larger land owners▪ System of feudalism develops in Japan

In the late 1100s two families fought for control of Japan

IN 1192 the Minamoto family emerge victorious Minamoto leader Yoritomo was given the title

of Shogun

The Shogun “Supreme general of the emperor’s

army” Had the powers of a military dictator Had power over the emperor

Think of it like this: Emperor = Puppet Shogun = Puppet master

The Daimyo Governors Responsible for

maintaining peace and order

Received land or goods as payment in exchange for support of a shogun

Often fought one another for additional land

The Samurai Warrior Class Members of the

shogun’s army When shogun fails

to pay them, they become more loyal to daimyos▪ Fought the wars

between the daimyos

Peasants, Artisans, Merchants Peasants▪ 80% of Japan’s feudal population▪ Lived on the land of the daimyo’s for their farming of

land

Artisans▪ Lived in urban areas; somewhat removed for feudal

system▪ Jobs such as blacksmith

Merchants▪ Lowest of the low because Japanese believed they had

no skills, so they were not valued