early japanese history & japanese feudalism world history unit 3: japan
TRANSCRIPT
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