“Japan” means great land of the rising sun

Japan’s Feudal Age• Lasted from 1185 to 1865 C.E.

The Feudal Age1. Japanese and European feudalism:• Local lords controlled the people on their

lands

• Had armies of warriors (samurai/knights) who fought for them

• These warriors had similar codes of honourthat governed their fighting and social status

2. Shogun – military feudal leader

3. Shogunate – the period of rule of a particular shogun

• Ex. Kamakura Shogunate

or Ashikaga Shogunate

• Lords called daimyos; owed allegiance by samurai

• samurai and daimyos held much power and rank in society

• Could kill anyone of lesser rank who offended them!

Japanese vs. European Feudalism

Life of the Samurai1. Advantages:

• High rank in society

• Held in very high esteem due to personal honour

• Special privileges, ex. paid no taxes

• Cool weapons!

Katana Sword

Life of the Samurai• Disadvantages:

• Had to follow daimyo’s wishes, even if ordered to commit suicide

• Had to maintain high levels of personal honour and fighting skill

• Could die at any time

Code of Bushido• Bushido – “The Way of the Warrior”

• Bushido shown in:• Perfect concentration

• High levels of mental and artistic development

• High level of “Zen” development

3. Most important requirement:

• That samurai was true to his lord and comrades

• Owed them giri, even to the death

• giri: self-sacrificing devotion

• Owed self giri as well, so could never back down from an insult!