Japan:1400-1800

Japan: 1400-1800Introduction

Introduction The origins of the ethnic Japanese

are yet uncertain, but language analysis suggests they are more closely related to the Koreans than to the Chinese

Like the Koreans, they were heavily influenced by the Chinese, importing both Buddhism and Confucianism, which took their place alongside the native civil religion, Shinto

Other important concepts Shogun: military warlord ruling in

the emperor’s name Daimyo: feudal lords Samurai: warriors owing allegiance

to Daimyo Bushido: the strict Samurai code

stressing military honor, courage, stoic acceptance of hardship, and, above all loyalty

Violation of the code brought disgrace, which could only be avoided or expatiated through “seppuku”—ritual suicide

Samurai warriorin battle armor

(c. 1860)

Seppuku

Japan: 1400-1800Unification

Japan in 1400 was feudal, with no real center of power

During the 15th and 16th century, the number of daimyos declined, as more powerful daimyo defeated and absorbed the land of their weaker rivals

By the mid-16th century, Japan was ripe to emerge from feudalism

Oda Nobunaga Daimyo most responsible for

unification Gradually subdued central Japan,

and then used it as a springboard, aided by his able general, Hideyoshi, to subdue the rest of Japan, except in the south

Oda Nobunaga(1534-1582)

ToyotomiHideyoshi

(1536-1598)

Japan: 1400-1800Rise of the Tokugawa Shogunate

Nobunaga was assassinated by one of his vassals in 1582

Hideyoshi succeeded him and completed his unification plan by subduing the south

He died in 1598, leaving an infant son as his heir in the care of a council of regents

Tokugawa Ieyasu The most influential regent, daimyo of

a vast territory surrounding modern Tokyo (then called Edo)

Ieyasu eventually turned on Hideyoshi’s son and defeated an army of daimyo defending his claim

After his victory, he had the emperor declare him Shogun, establishing a dynasty that would last until 1867

TokugawaIeyasu

(1543-1616)

Edo (now Tokyo)

Japan: 1400-1800Japan and the West

Europeans arrived in Japan in the 16th century, led by the Portuguese

Japanese took great interest in their technologies especially firearms

But they found European culture generally revolting

Christianity Jesuit missionaries experienced

some success, especially in the South

Ieyasu Tokugawa found Christianity disruptive and banned the religion in 1614

Campaigns were launched against Christian daimyo and the religion driven underground Shimbara Rebellion (1637-38):

Christian peasants revolt and are ruthlessly repressed

Japanese depiction ofPortuguese traders

Japan: 1400-1800Tokugawa Society (1)

The Tokugawa period shows the influence of Confucian philosophy on Japanese society

They organized Japan to put a premium on harmony and stablity

The Tokugawa froze people into four groups: imperial court nobility, samurai, peasants, and merchants

Each group was strictly regulated in what they could and could not do, and no movement between the groups was permitted

Other restrictions Foreigners banned from Japan,

except for tightly controlled Dutch traders in Nagasaki Useful middlemen in obtaining Chinese

silk

Japanese banned from traveling abroad

Isolated trading compound of the

Dutch in NagasakiHarbor

Japan: 1400-1800 Tokugawa Society (2)

Peasants were highly regarded in Japanese society as it was recognized they provided its sustenance

This did not prevent them from being overtaxed leading to recurrent peasant rebellions

Still, the prosperity of peasants gradually rose during this period

Merchants were looked down upon, consistent with the Confucian view that they were non-productive and parasitic

The 200-year period of peace dulled the samurai

Their forced residence in Edo part of the year and the lack of war forced many into debt