JAPAN UNDER MILITARY RULE12th to 16th century A.D

Namuag, Mark Russel O.

Bato kannonOn the entrance of most of the

Japanese Buddhist temples, you can see a pair of guardians, the Nio (Benevolent Kings), protectors against the evil spirits (similar to the koma-inu from the shinto shrines). According to Japanese traditions, they followed and protected Buddha when he traveled throughout India. The statue from the right is called Agyo, it is a symbol of overt violence, wielding a vajra-paṇiand it is represented with the mouth open, representing the beginning of the universe.

Heiji monogatari• The Tale of Heiji is a Japanese war epic (

gunki monogatari) detailing the events of the Heiji Rebellion of 1159-1160, in which samurai clan head Minamoto no Yoshitomo attacked and besieged Kyoto, as part of an Imperial succession dispute, in which he was opposed by Taira no Kiyomori, head of the Taira clan. The Tale, like most monogatariexists in three main forms: written, oral, and painted.

• The original text is sometimes attributed to Hamuro Tokinaga, and is written in 36 chapters. As is the case with most othermonogatari, the text has been rewritten and revised many times over the years, and developed into an oral tradition as well. Most often, the Tale of Heiji would be chanted as a continuation of the Tale of Hōgen, which relates the events of the closely related Hōgen Rebellion.

• The picture scroll version of the tale, called Heiji monogatari emaki or Heiji monogatari ekotoba, dates to the 13th century, and is generally attributed to Sumiyoshi Keion. It tells the tale in color on paper, on five scrolls. Each scroll begins and ends with a written portion of the tale, describing the events depicted in a single continuous painting across the length of the scroll. Perhaps the most famous scene of these five scrolls is the burning of the Night Attack on the Sanjō Palace

Nachi waterfall

NachiFalls  in Nachikatuura, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, is one of the best-known waterfalls in Japan. With a drop of at 133 m, it is often erroneously thought to be the country's tallest. In fact, the tallest waterfall in Japan is the Hannoki Falls, at 497 m.

Oda NobunagaOda Nobunaga (June 23, 1534 – June 21,

1582) was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the rule of the Shogun in the late Sixteenth Century, a rule that ended only with the opening of Japan to the Western world in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was the second son of Oda Nobuhide, a deputyshugo (military governor) with land holdings in Owari Province.Nobunaga lived a life of continuous military conquest, eventually conquering a third of Japanese daimyo before his death in 1582. His successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a loyal Oda supporter, would eventually become the first man to conquer all of Japan and the first ruler of all Japan since the Ōnin War.

Ashikaga After the death of the fifth shogun 

Ashikaga Yoshikazu in 1425, the fourth shogun Ashikaga Yoshimochi resumed his role as head of the shogunate. Yoshimochi had no other sons, nor did he name a successor before he himself died in 1428. Yoshinori became Seii Taishogun on the day of Yoshimochi's death. From amongst the handful of possible Ashikaga candidates, his name was selected by the shogunal deputy (Kanrei), Hatakeyama Mitsuie, who drew lots in the sanctuary of Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine inKyoto; and it was believed that Hachiman's influence had affected this auspicious choice.

Birds and waterfallsKanō Motonobu (August 28, 1476 –

November 5, 1559) was a Japanese painter. He was a member of the Kanō school of painting.

Kano Motonobu's father was Kanō Masanobu, the founder of the Kanō school.

The Kano family are presumed to be the descendants from a line of warriors. The warriors are from the Kano district. The Kano district is now called Shizuoka Prefecture. The forebear of this family is Kanō Kagenobu. He seems to have been a retainer of the Imagawa family. It has been reported that he has painted a picture of Mt Fuji. This painting was for a visit to the shogun Ashikaga Yoshinori (1394–1441) in 1432. The Kano family is a family that dominated the painting world from the end of the Muromachi period (1333–1568) to the end of the Edo period (1600–1868).The Kano family is one of the most important lineages in Japanese history.

Kinkaku, Golden Pavilion

also known as Rokuon-ji (Deer Garden Temple), is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. The garden complex is an excellent example of Muromachi period garden design.It is designated as a National Special Historic Site and a National Special Landscape, and it is one of 17 World Cultural Heritage sites in Kyoto. It is also one of the most popular buildings in Japan, attracting a large number of visitors annually.

GinkakuGinkaku-ji, the "Temple of the Silver Pavilion," is a Zen Ginkaku-ji, the "Temple of the Silver Pavilion," is a Zen

temple in the temple in the Sakyo ward of  of Kyoto, , Japan. It is one of . It is one of the construction that represents the the construction that represents the Higashiyama Culture of  of Muromachi period..

Ashikaga Yoshimasa initiated plans for creating a Ashikaga Yoshimasa initiated plans for creating a retirement villa and gardens as early as 1460; and retirement villa and gardens as early as 1460; and after his death, Yoshimasa would arrange for this after his death, Yoshimasa would arrange for this property to become a Zen temple. The official name is property to become a Zen temple. The official name is Jishō-ji  or the "Temple of Shining Mercy." The temple Jishō-ji  or the "Temple of Shining Mercy." The temple is today associated with the is today associated with the Shokoku-ji branch of  branch of Rinzai Zen. Zen.

The two-storied The two-storied Kannon-denKannon-den , is the main temple structure.  , is the main temple structure. Its construction began February 21, 1482 (Its construction began February 21, 1482 (Bummei 14 , Bummei 14 , 4th day of the 2nd month4th day of the 2nd month). The structure's design ). The structure's design sought to emulate the golden sought to emulate the golden Kinkaku-ji which had  which had been commissioned by his grandfather been commissioned by his grandfather Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. It is popularly known as . It is popularly known as GinkakuGinkaku, the , the "Silver Pavilion" because of the initial plans to cover "Silver Pavilion" because of the initial plans to cover its exterior in silver foil; but this familiar nickname its exterior in silver foil; but this familiar nickname dates back only as far as the dates back only as far as the Edo period (1600–1868). (1600–1868).

E-Makimono

A Makimono is a Japanese hand scroll, an ink-and-brush painting or calligraphy which is supposed to be held in the hand and unrolls horizontally. Makimono were taken to scenic places to enjoy them in a beautiful surrounding, and stored away when home. They were also given as gifts.

HabokuHabokuHaboku  and Hatsuboku  are both Haboku  and Hatsuboku  are both

a technique employed in a technique employed in suiboku (ink based), as seen in  (ink based), as seen in landscape paintings, involving landscape paintings, involving an abstract simplification of an abstract simplification of forms and freedom of forms and freedom of brushwork. The two terms are brushwork. The two terms are often confused with each often confused with each other in ordinary use. other in ordinary use. Generally, Generally, habokuhaboku relies on a  relies on a layered contrast black, gray layered contrast black, gray and white, whereas and white, whereas hatsuboku utilizes "splashes" of ink,  utilizes "splashes" of ink, without leaving clear contours without leaving clear contours or outlines. In Japan, these or outlines. In Japan, these styles of painting were firmly styles of painting were firmly founded and spread byfounded and spread by the  the Japanese painter  painter Sesshu Toyo. .

Samurai

Samurai  is the term for the military nobility of Samurai  is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial  Japan. According to translator . According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character : "In Chinese, the character 侍 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, original term in Japanese, saburau. In both countries the terms were nominalized to mean . In both countries the terms were nominalized to mean "those who serve in close attendance to the nobility," the pronunciation in Japanese "those who serve in close attendance to the nobility," the pronunciation in Japanese changing to changing to saburai." According to Wilson, an early reference to the word "samurai" ." According to Wilson, an early reference to the word "samurai" appears in the appears in the Kokin Wakashū (905–914), the first imperial anthology of poems, completed  (905–914), the first imperial anthology of poems, completed in the first part of the 9th century.in the first part of the 9th century.By the end of the 12th century, samurai became almost entirely synonymous with By the end of the 12th century, samurai became almost entirely synonymous with bushibushi  (( 武士武士 ), and the word was closely associated with the middle and upper echelons of the ), and the word was closely associated with the middle and upper echelons of the warrior class. The samurai followed a set of rules that came to be known as warrior class. The samurai followed a set of rules that came to be known as Bushidō. While . While they numbered less than 10% of Japan's population samurai teachings can still be found they numbered less than 10% of Japan's population samurai teachings can still be found today in both everyday life and in martial arts such as today in both everyday life and in martial arts such as Kendō, meaning , meaning the way of the the way of the swordsword..

ShogunShogunShogun (literally, "a commander of a force") is Shogun (literally, "a commander of a force") is

a military rank and historical title for (in a military rank and historical title for (in most cases) hereditary military dictator of most cases) hereditary military dictator of Japan. The modern rank is equivalent to a . The modern rank is equivalent to a Generalissimo. Although the original . Although the original meaning of "shogun" is simply "a meaning of "shogun" is simply "a general", as a title, it is used as the short general", as a title, it is used as the short form of form of seii taishōgun  the governing   the governing individual at various times in the individual at various times in the history of Japan, ending when , ending when Tokugawa Yoshinobu relinquished the office to the  relinquished the office to the Meiji Emperor in 1867. in 1867.

A shogun's office or administration is known in A shogun's office or administration is known in English as a "shogunate". In English as a "shogunate". In Japanese it  it was known as was known as bakufubakufu  which literally   which literally means "tent office", and originally meant means "tent office", and originally meant "house of the general", and later also "house of the general", and later also suggested a private government. Bakufu suggested a private government. Bakufu could also mean "tent government" and could also mean "tent government" and was the way the government was run was the way the government was run under a shogun. The tent symbolized the under a shogun. The tent symbolized the field commander but also denoted that field commander but also denoted that such an office was meant to be temporary. such an office was meant to be temporary. The shogun's officials were as a collective The shogun's officials were as a collective the the bakufubakufu, and were those who carried , and were those who carried out the actual duties of administration out the actual duties of administration while the Imperial court retained only while the Imperial court retained only nominal authority.nominal authority.

EDO

• The Great Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa Oki Nami Ura, lit. "Under a Wave off Kanagawa"), also known as The Great Wave or simply The Wave, is a woodblock print by the Japanese artist Hokusai. An example of ukiyo-e art, it was published sometime between 1830 and 1833 (during the Edo Period) as the first in Hokusai's series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei ), and is his most famous work. This particular woodblock is one of the most recognized works of Japanese art in the world. It depicts an enormous wave threatening boats near the Japanese prefecture of Kanagawa. While sometimes assumed to be a tsunami, the wave is, as the picture's title notes, more likely to be a large okinami lit. "wave of the open sea." As in all the prints in the series, it depicts the area around Mount Fuji under particular conditions, and the mountain itself appears in the background.

Himeji Castel• Himeji Castle  is a hilltop Himeji Castle  is a hilltop Japanese castle

 complex located in  complex located in Himeji in  in Hyōgo Prefecture. It is regarded as the finest . It is regarded as the finest surviving example of 17th century Japanese surviving example of 17th century Japanese castle architecture. It comprises a network of castle architecture. It comprises a network of 83 buildings with advanced defensive 83 buildings with advanced defensive systems from the systems from the feudal period. The castle is . The castle is frequently known as frequently known as HakurojōHakurojō ("White Egret  ("White Egret Castle") or Castle") or ShirasagijōShirasagijō("("White Heron Castle")  Castle") because of its brilliant white exterior and because of its brilliant white exterior and supposed resemblance to a bird taking supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight.flight.

• Himeji Castle dates to 1333, when Himeji Castle dates to 1333, when Akamatsu Norimura built a fort on top of Himeyama hill.  built a fort on top of Himeyama hill. The fort was dismantled and rebuilt as The fort was dismantled and rebuilt as Himeyama Castle in 1346, and then Himeyama Castle in 1346, and then remodeled into Himeji Castle two centuries remodeled into Himeji Castle two centuries later [16th century]. Himeji Castle was then later [16th century]. Himeji Castle was then significantly remodeled by significantly remodeled by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1581, adding a three-story  in 1581, adding a three-story castle castle keep. In 1600, . In 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu awarded the castle to  awarded the castle to Ikeda Terumasa for his  for his help in the help in the Battle of Sekigahara.Ikeda .Ikeda completely rebuilt the castle from 1601 to completely rebuilt the castle from 1601 to 1609, expanding it into a large castle 1609, expanding it into a large castle complex. Several buildings were later added complex. Several buildings were later added to the castle complex by to the castle complex by Honda Tadamasa from 1617 to 1618. For over 400 years,  from 1617 to 1618. For over 400 years, Himeji Castle has remained intact, even Himeji Castle has remained intact, even throughout the extensive bombing of throughout the extensive bombing of Himeji in  in World War II and natural disasters such as  and natural disasters such as the 1995 the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake and  and various various typhoons..

• Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited castle in castle in Japan. It was registered in 1993 as . It was registered in 1993 as one of the first one of the first UNESCO  World Heritage Sites in Japan. The area within the middle  in Japan. The area within the middle moat of  of the castle complex is a designated the castle complex is a designated Special Historic Site and five structures of the  and five structures of the castle are also designated castle are also designated National Treasures. Along with . Along with Matsumoto Castle and  and Kumamoto Castle, it is considered one of , it is considered one of Japan's three premier castles. In order to Japan's three premier castles. In order to preserve the castle buildings, Himeji Castle preserve the castle buildings, Himeji Castle is currently undergoing restoration work that is currently undergoing restoration work that is expected to continue for several years.is expected to continue for several years.

Gods of Wind and ThunderRaijin (raijin rai "thunder" + jin "deity") is a god of 

thunder[1] and storms in Japanese mythology.His name is derived from the Japanese words rai ( meaning thunder) and shin ( god). He is typically depicted as ademon beating drums to create thunder, usually with the symbol tomoe drawn on the drums. He is also known by the following names:

Kaminari-sama: kaminari ( kami, god +, nari, thunder) and -sama ( a Japanese honorific meaning "master")

Raiden-sama: rai thunder), den ( lightning), and -sama (様)

Narukami: naru, rolling thunder and kami , god)

Fūjin  is the Japanese god of the wind and one of the eldest Shinto gods. He is said to have been present at the creation of the world and when he first let the winds out of his bag, they cleared the morning mists and filled the Gate between heaven and earth so the sun shone.He is portrayed as a terrifying dark demon, resembling a red headed black humanoid wearing a leopard skin, carrying a large bag of winds on his shoulders.A legend of Japanese Buddhism states that Fūjin and Raijin, the god of thunder, were both originally evil demons who opposed Buddha. They were captured in battle with Buddha's army of heaven, and have worked as gods since then

Raijin & Fūjin