Download - Early Japan
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