Medieval Period in Japan

Geography Islands covered with

rugged mountains Avoid invasion Develop a

homogeneous culture

Only 17% of land usable for farming

Life in Early Japan

Largely a farming society – rice Traded with Korea & China Women had a level of equality with men

Inheritance rights for women Abandoned wives could divorce & remarry

Dynastic Rule Emperors were considered the descendent of

the sun goddess. Japanese history claims only one dynasty.

660 BCE to 1945 CE (Over 2,500 years) In reality, many ruling families came and

went.

Feudalism in Japan Feudalism: a political and

military system in which individuals receive land and protection in return for loyalty, military assistance, and other services.

Samurai “Those who serve” Bushido – “Way of warrior”

Stressed bravery, loyalty, and honor Had to experience great physical pain and hardship

without complaining Could not fear death

Seppuku – “Belly slicing” – a form of ceremonial suicide Ronin – Samurai without a master Ninja – Professional spies

Miyamoto Musashi

Ronin Undefeated dueler Independent teacher Wrote Book of Five

Rings in 1643

Book of Five Rings Written in Japanese Devoted to the art of war Criticized empty

showmanship and commercialization in martial arts

Aggressive and ruthless approach to military science

Shogunate

Minamoto no Yoritomo Created a centralized

government called a shogunate Shogunate: centralized

government under a shogun (military ruler) not an emperor

Japan and China

1281 Kublai Khan (Yuan Dynasty in China) invaded with superior forces

Samurai meet them at the beach Kamikaze – “Divine Wind”

Sources of Traditional Japanese Culture Literature

Haiku (5, 7, 5)Tea was very goodmy cup holds emptiness nowwhere shall I put it?

Nō drama Art

Nature themes dominated Emotional response

Van Gogh on Japanese Art

“If we study Japanese Art, we see a man who is undoubtedly wise, philosophic and intelligent, who spends his time doing what? In studying the distance between the earth and moon? No. In studying Bismarck’s policy? No. He studies a single blade of grass."

The Battles of Hogen and Heiji, Edo period (1615–1868), 17th centuryPair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, and gold on paper; Each 60 15/16 in. x 11 ft. 8 in. (154.8 x 355.6 cm)

The Battles of Hogen and Heiji, Edo period (1615–1868), 17th centuryPair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, and gold on paper; Each 60 15/16 in. x 11 ft. 8 in. (154.8 x 355.6 cm)

Details of The Battles of Hogen and Heiji

Ink on silk Ink is permanent.

There’s no correcting or repainting it.

Ink wash creates an atmospheric perspective in the background.

MonochromeMonochrome –a color scheme that uses tints and shades of one color.

The Old Plum, Edo period (1615–1868), ca. 1645Attributed to Kano Sansetsu (Japanese, ca. 1589–1651)Four sliding door panels (fusuma); ink, color, gold leaf on paper; H. 68 3/4 in. (174.6 cm)

In Search of the Pure Land: Religion in Early Japan Shinto

Animistic State doctrine linked to divinity belief about

emperor and the sacredness of Japan Buddhism, 6th century BCE

Jodo, Pure land Zen

Shinto

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

Zen Buddhism

Zen A different way to achieve

enlightenment Achieved through strong self-

discipline, especially meditation Koan riddles Zen beliefs became part of

samurai warrior’s code