Ancient Japan:Ancient Japan:

GovernmeGovernme

nt nt

and Lawsand Laws

By Jessica Xu

The First The First EmperorEmperor

By legend, Japan’s first emperor was the son of the Sun Goddess.

But history begs to differ...

Chinese history tells the tale of a man sent by the Qin Emperor to find the secret to immortality.

He was never seen again.

Centuries later, his grave was found on an island east of China – the island of the Rising Sun: Japan.

It is believed that he was the

founder of Japan and its very first

emperor.He took with him hundreds of servants and child-priests upon ten ships.

THE FAMOUS FourTHE FAMOUS FourEmperors

<- Emperor Jimmu<- 神武天皇Born (according to legend) in 660 BC.Supposedly divine, he ruled from birth till death in 585 BC WAS THE FIRST

EMPEROR OF JAPAN, AND, TO THIS DAY, A CONTROVERSIAL CHARACTER IN BOTH MYTH AND HISTORY

His birthday (according to the Japanese book of myths) was February 11th of the Gregorian calendar and is now celebrated as National Foundation Day

Ruling Ruling HierarchyHierarchy

Emperor

Shogun

Daimyo

Samurai Warrior

Figurehead with no

power of decision

Generals with absolute power who act on own

will (aka: shōgunates)

Heads of Great families with influence over a certain district

- considered warlords commanding armies of their own

Warriors in daimyo’s armies – the Japanese equivalent to knights complete with family crest, respect and fairly good social status

THE FAMOUS FourTHE FAMOUS FourEmperor Ōjin:

Emperors

15th Emperor of Japan

The first emperor whose existence existed outside of myths and legends

First appeared in Japanese history book Nihonshoski as son of Emperor Chūai and Empress Consort Jingū

Birth name:

Homutawak

e or 誉田別

THE FAMOUS FourTHE FAMOUS FourEmperors

Original painting of Empress suiko

Emperor Suiko推古天皇

Empresses

First empress of Japan

33rd ruler of Japan

Reigned from 593 AD to 628 AD

Known by as many as nine names including Princess Nukatabe and Toyomike Kashikiya

Distantly related to Emperor Yōmei making her unorthodox rise to the throne slightly bearable for those who opposed her rule

COURTS OF THE COURTS OF THE EMPEROREMPEROR

The Imperial court of the Japanese Emperor was divided into two in the mid 1200s when the two sons of newly deceased Emperor, Go-Saga, fought over the throne

Shōgunates supporting the son named Go-Fukakusa created the Northern Court

Shōgunates supporting the son named kameyama created the Southern Court

The two courts struggled for power for over a decade

The strife of the courts ceased only with the arrival of Emperor Go-Komatsu

When Go-Komatsu died, however, the truce was broken and the courts returned to their quiet warfare

THE FAMOUS FourTHE FAMOUS Four

Emperor Go-Komatsu

EmpressesEmperors

後小松天皇

100th emperor of Japan

Ruled from 1382 AD to 1412 AD

Unified the contending Northern and Southern courts

Also known as Motohito or 幹仁

Named after Emperor Kōkō who Go-Komatsu resembled in

birth

10 000 BC to 300 BC – JOMON ERA: Japan was founded by Emperor Jimmu

300 BC to 300 AD – Yayoi Era: Basic sciences (metal working, rice cultivation and the potter’s wheel) were introduced from china; Japan begins a development of religion which urged the formation of beginning political units

300 AD to 645 AD – Kofun era: Occupied regions joined and formed states; the most powerful clan called the yamato clan was allied with empires in mainland Asia and thus began the first dynasty

6 – Japan adopted Chinese characters and the bone structure of Japanese culture, society and government began to take shape under influence of China and Korea

645 AD to 710 AD – Asuka Era: Reforms took place and strengthened the power of the emperor under the pressure of newly formed aristocratic families

710 AD to 794 AD – Nara Era: New capital built based on capitals in mainland Asia, and emperors gain more political power through adoption of Buddhism

794 AD to 1185 AD – Heian Era: Imperial court moved in fear of being overrun by the Buddhist developments during the Nara Era and the alliances with China were cut thus weakening the hold of the Imperial court which resulted in the rose of the warrior class (Bushi)

1185 AD to 1333 AD – Kamakura Era: Era named after the military-based government established in Kamakura; the emperor now serves only as a figurehead and the Bushi (including Shōgunates) become the ruling class

8 – In 1274 ad and 1281 ad, the Bushi government of Kamakura was weakened by Mongol attacks

1333 AD to 1568 AD – Muromachi Era: A district of Kyoto called Muromachi becomes capital to a new shōgunate Military Government

6 – From 1467 ad to the end of the era the central government crumbles after the Onin war; firearms were brought to Japan by marooned Portuguese soldiers

1568 AD to 1600 AD – Azuchimomoya Era: Basis of modern Japan is laid by reunification of civil-war-stricken Japan and further ambitions, including invasion and occupation of China and Korea ended in failure

From 1600 AD – Edo Era: Japan settles into an age of peace and isolation was introduced

From Jimmu to Go-From Jimmu to Go-Komatsu Komatsu

Jimmu Go-KomatsuAbsolute monarchy Bushi Ruling Class

Only two class divisions: Royalty and Peasants

Four Ruling Classes and Four classes of citizenship (Farmer, Craftsmen, Merchants and Women)

Relied much on Mainland empires and states

Cut all ties with mainland and flourished in isolation

Rulers selected by aptitude, pedigree, and influence

Rulers selected by military prowess

BIBLIOGRAPHYBIBLIOGRAPHY W.G. Aston, trans., Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the

Earliest Times to A.D. 697, 2 vols. in 1 .London: Keagan and Co. 1896.

May Knapp, Arthur. Feudal and Modern Japan. Stanford University: J. Knight Co. 1896.

Wikipedia. Feudal Japan Hierarchy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feudal_Japan_hierarchy (Sept. 18. 2007)

Smitha, Frank E. The Ancient Japanese.

http://macrohistory.com/japan/ancient_05 (Sept. 18. 2007)

Asia Society. Background Essay: Japanese History. http://askasia.org/background_essays_67009/ (Sept. 20. 2007)