Early Japanese Society

Essential Questions• What was the structure of early Japanese society?• What role did Prince Shotoku play in Japanese

history?

Japan

• In early Japan land was valuable• = power • = influence• = wealth

• Divided into clans – each ruling clan controlled portions of the islands.

• Clans often fought for land

Structure of Society• Emperor – Figure head – Not much power over

Japan• Organized around powerful clans led by a few

powerful nobles• Nobles owned land• Known by family name and individual name

• Most Japanese were commoners• Lived in villages, fished, made some crafts

• Slaves• Cooked, cleaned, or took care of nobles

Emperors• In the 400’s a powerful clan of central Japan

established itself as the most powerful clan • Emperors were said to be descended from this

clan• Said to be descendants from the sun goddess• Seen as divine or godlike

• Had very little power – Powerful clan leaders

Prince Shotoku• 593-622 – Prince Shotoku ruled Japan in the place

of a child emperor – a position called a regent• HUGE FAN OF CHINA!• Sent scholars to Japan to study Chinese society• Welcomed skilled Chinese workers into Japan• Had an embassy built in China • Used Confucian principles for government• Wrote the 17 Article Constitution• Promoted belief in Buddhism

Review• Who held real power in early Japanese society?• What was the most last effect of Shotoku’s reign?