FEUDAL JAPAN

Jeffrey Penny Jeanette Wetzel Sarah Akram Hailey Sebree Elizabeth

Roslonowski Period #5 Mr. Gronich 2/25/11

So….What is Feudalism?

Feudalism: is the social organization created by exchanging grants of land or fiefs in return for a formal oath for allegiance or promises of loyal service

The system of feudalism has been used not only in Japan but Germany, Western Europe and China

Feudalism usually results in weak government with highly powerful aristocratic lords or rulers.

Generally no central government

Vocabulary

Fujiwara: highly powerful Japanese aristocratic family in mid-9th century

Bushi(Bushido) :feudal Japanese warrior leaders who administered law; also the way of the warrior

Daimyo: loyal vassals Samurai: mounted

troops of Japanese warrior leaders

Zen Buddhism(Chan Buddhism): stressed the importance of meditation and the appreciation of natural and artistic beauty

Shinto: the way of the Gods (Kami-no-michi)

Seppuku: ritual suicide or disembowelment in Japan

Shoguns: military leaders of the bakufu

Gempei wars: occurred for five years from 1180 on Honshu between the Taira and Minamoto families(ended with the destruction of the Taira)

Background

Japan like Korea and Vietnam borrowed and copied many characteristics and ideas from china and feudal china

Was born after the fall and decline of Imperial decline

Ultimately was about the dominant control of families and no strong government

Lasted from 1185 to 1333 C.E. (approximately)

However, the emperor, courts and formal government was left intact, but as ceremonial figure heads

The bushi controlled many civil, military and judicial matters

The period was interrupted by the Mongol invasions

Social

Feudal Japan had much warfare The civilization was highly militaristic Military/loyalty values such as family

alliances and ritualized combat blocked the growth of government(hence why aristocratic families became powerful)

Worst periods of internal conflict(civil wars) was in 17th century

Political

Once again, the feudalism system generated a weak central government

The political control rested in the hands of the “Shogun” or military leaders

Had unsophisticated political systems Regional leaders had armies of their own(loyalty) Once again, rulers relied on loyalty and respect

for power “developed political values that embraced, most

participants in the system” Aristocratic lords controlled the mass of

peasants

Religious

They practiced Zen Buddhism Shinto and Japanese Buddhism was a

single complex religion Free religious freedom was granted Participated in rituals and customs

derived from religious traditions

Intellectual

Feudal Japan heavily borrowed ideas from Chinese culture

The society was divided into various classes

Was ruled by the Shogun, who were military leaders with absolute control

Most successful was the “Tokugawa” shogunate(1603-1868)

Technological

They had steel manufacturing Mastered bronze and metalworking Silk paintings Produced Japanese paper Discoveries in astronomy Kept their handicraft making secret Developed textile technology Had wooden architecture Woodworking tools

Economic

The feudalism was highly based on military

Developed textile technology and wood working

Lawyers or Japanese legal system emerged

However, they were successful in industrial development

They also were adept in running Capitalist economies

Conclusion/Key Facts

Feudal Japan emerged after Imperial Japan fell Emperor’s and the courts were used as

ceremonial figure heads during this era Aristocratic Lords especially the Fujiwara were

very dominant and possessed military control *Feudal System Loyalty of the Japanese to their lords

contributed to the success of this era. A period of civil war or eternal conflict also

erupted

Questions?