Early Japan

And Feudalism

Geography

Archipelago?

Chain of islands, about 100 miles off Asian mainland

Size of Montana

Why do most live in river valleys or along coast?

Too mountainous, 4/5ths

How did seas help and hurt them?

Isolated, trade, food, influences

Ring of Fire?

Area in Pacific includes Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, and South America

Tsunami?

Underwater earthquake causing huge tidal waves

Japan

From the 300s ce to 600s ce

Early Japan

Hundreds of Clans controlled their own territories in Japan.

The dominant religion, Shintoism, was polytheistic (each clan had its own gods from original ancestor) and based on divine spirits in nature.

Honoring kami, or nature spirits

Yamato Clan set up Japan’s first and only dynasty.

Yamato Clan

Shinto Shrine

Early Japan

The economy was agriculturally based and there were trade contacts with China.

The influence of China on many aspects of Japanese culture was significant.

First Emperors

By the 400s, one the most powerful clans claimed divine approval and their leaders called themselves emperors.

Current emperor still claims decent from Yamato Clan

First Emperors

Though ruling families changed, the position of emperor, as a figurehead with divine qualities, became a common trend.

Korean Bridge?

Korean artisans in Japan, warrior attacks, religion, Chinese culture from Korea

Japan

From the 600s ce to 1600s

Increased Chinese influence

In the 600s, Chinese culture and styles in government, writing, court etiquette, Confucianism, and Buddhism were often mandated by the ruling clans.

Chinese Buddhism gradually mixed with Shinto beliefs and a distinct form of Japanese Buddhism evolved.

Heian Period

(hay AHN) 794-1185. Imperial capital.

Elegant and sophisticated culture blossomed

Fairy-tale atmosphere of gardens and pools

Extraordinary dress

Women had little rights

Japan’s Feudal Age

Loss of Central AuthorityEventually enthusiasm for everything Chinese died down

Powerful families and Buddhist leaders began to challenge the central government as regional rulers with their own armies developed.

Loss of Central AuthorityMini-states, or shogunates (supreme military commander), took the place of the central government.

Emperor had little power

WarlordsThese great lords and their warriors fought for political power and control of territory. Civil wars resulted.

The Japanese Feudal Period or The Era of Warrior Dominance had begun.

Feudal Rank

Shogun

Daimyo (Di myoh)- vassal lords

Samurai- knights

Bushido “way of the warrior”- chivalry

Supposed to have no fear

Seppuku (she poo koo)?

Ritual suicide

Early women more rights, could become warriors

Samurai code did not set women on pedestal

Artisans- made armor and weapons

Peasants- 75%, farmed, soldiers, rise in ranks

Merchants

Kamikaze?

Divine winds, after Mongols attempted invasion

Japanese thought had special protection of the gods

Samurai and Knights

Japanese Warriors compared to the European Warriors

Samurai Wisdom from the Hagakure

A child should not be allowed to become frightened of thunder through the oversight of his parents, or forbidden to go into the dark, and it is bad policy to tell him frightening stories to keep him quiet when he cries.

Samurai Wisdom from the Hagakure

The best conduct with regard to speaking is to remain silent. At least if you think you can manage without speaking, do not speak. What must be said should be said as succinctly as possible. A surprising number of people make fools of themselves by talking without thinking, and are looked down upon.

Samurai Wisdom from the Hagakure

A man endowed with equal virtue has at core a kind of calm or ease so that he never gives the impression of being busy. It is lesser men who have no peacefulness in their character, who compete for fame and go around knocking each other down.

Tokugawas1603-1868 ruled Japan

Rid of feudal warfare

Daimyo required to live in capital Edo every other year; wife and kids remained full time; permission

Only samurai serve in military or government; peasants farmed; low class couldn’t wear silk

Women rights strictly regulated

Economic Growth

Agriculture improved and expanded (new seeds, tools, fertilizer)

Population growth

More towns

New roads for trade

Zen BuddhismEmphasized meditation and devotion to dutyDevotion to nature (landscaping), seek enlightenment through precise performance of everyday tasksContradictionsZen monks great scholars but moment of “non-knowing”Compassion for all but samurai killedAbsolute freedom but rigid rules in society

Artistic Traditions

No plays performed on square wooden stage with no scenery

Elegant carved masks, movements had special meaning

Kabuki?

Comedy or melodrama

Bunraku?

Narrator with story and used near life-sized puppets for story

Haiku?

Three lines- totalizing 17 syllables

Express feeling or thought