Early JapanPart I: Geography

and Religion

Japan’s Geography Archipelago: a group of many islands in a

large body of water

Near China and Korea

Borders Sea of Japan and Pacific Ocean– Offers natural protection

from outsiders

Japan’s Geography Only 15% of land usable for farming

– Lots of rain and sunlight = good farming

Experiences many earthquakes, tidal waves, and typhoons

Shinto (-ism) Ancient Japanese religion “the way of the gods” Only worshipped in Japan Has no books or priests Ancestors are seen as important

Includes gods called Kami, meaning superior.–Kami promote fertility in

crops and people

The belief that spirits existed in all things, living or not, was part of the religion.

Kami

Some kami are the spirits of ancestors. In Shinto’s earliest days, each clan honored its ancestral kami.

Other kami are the spiritual forces in nature and the environment.

Kami

Kami are honored at shrines. The first shrines were outdoor spots-perhaps a large rock or tree-where people brought offerings of flowers or grain.

Shrines

Later, shrines were enclosed in buildings surrounded by beautiful landscaping. Many families have a small shrine in their houses or in their gardens.

Shrines

When entering a shrine area, visitors pass through a gate called the torii.

Beyond the gate is a stone water basin.

Guests rinse their hands to purify themselves before entering the shrine area.

Torii

Buddhism in Japan Spreads to Japan from China in 550 C.E.

Japanese worshipped both Shinto and Buddhism.

Spread of Buddhism led to the spread of other Chinese ideas.

Japanese developed out of Chinese writing.

Chinese Influences in Japan

Chinese charactersJapanese characters

Japanese architecture or building style copied many Chinese styles.

Chinese Influences in Japan

Chinese building Japanese building

Early JapanPart II: Government and Social Structure

Heian Period 794 – 1185 C.E.

Elaborate rituals and artistic pursuits

Everyone wrote poetry and painted

The Tale of Genji is an account of the life of a prince in the imperial court, the world’s first novel

Feudalism in Japan Court families became more interested in

luxuries than governing Landowners began to rise in power and set

up private armies Feudalism: a political and military system

in which individuals receive things in return for loyalty, military assistance, and other services.

Emperor - is just a figure head with little power.

Shogun - Supreme Military Ruler.Minamoto Yoritomo became firstshogun in 1192

Daimyos - Lords (landholders)Often fought each other for land/power.

Samurai - Made up daimyo’s private army and followed bushido code

Samurai Codes Bushido

– Stressed bravery, loyalty, and honor

– Samurai had to experience great physical pain and hardship without complaining.

– They could not fear death.

Seppuku– Samurai commit suicide as an

honorable way to avoid torture, execution, or defeat in battle.

Kamakura Shogunate The real power during this time was at the

military headquarters at Kamakura

Shoguns ruled from 1192 to 1868 C.E.

They pulled together to defeat the Mongols, but lost money in the process

Samurai attached themselves to their local lords instead of the central government