Japanese Feudalism
Key Elements of Feudalism
Feudalism is a government and economic system in which noble
wealthy landowners provide protection to citizens in exchange
for labor. Those who control the land are known as LORDS and
those receiving land and protection are known as VASSALS. The
Lords receive free labor from Vassals and the Lords are
agreeing to protect them and provide their basic needs.
LAND
LOYALTY
PROTECTION
Japanese Feudalism
Feudalism is
based on two
L’s: LAND &
LOYALTY!
The Emperor
• The position was symbolic
• Emperor took very little interest in
running the Kingdom.
• Appointed a shogun to carry out
orders of the kingdom.
• Live a very ‘lavish’ and expensive
lifestyle away from the public eye.
The Shogun
• The leader of Japan’s most
powerful family served the emperor
as the shogun.
• They controlled the millitary,
government, and law.
• The word “Shogun” means “great
general”.
The Daimyo
• The Daimyo were Japanese
lords or nobles.
• The Daimyo had to obey the
Shogun and provide military
service.
• The Daimyo controlled large
estates. They were great
landowners.
The Samurai
Samurai warriors were
usually relatives or
dependents of daimyo
Samurai warriors lived by a
code of Bushido which
demanded courage, loyalty,
deity, fairness, & honor
Samurai were skilled
swordsmen, but also used
horses & guns (after the arrival
of Europeans)
Samurai Facts
•
Samurai means “servant”.
•
Samurai wore light armor made of cloth interwoven with metal
strips.
•
Samurai fought with swords and bows. All samurai carried two
swords.
•
A samurai inherited his position from his father.
•
Samurai were paid with land or food for their service.
• Samurai lived by a code of honor called “Bushido” or “the way of the
warrior”. (Video Clip: 8 Virtues of Bushido)
• The most important behavior for a samurai was to serve his lord loyally.
• Bushido teaches that a samurai must always live with honor. A samurai who
brought himself dishonor often committed suicide.
Video Clip : Start at 3:27
Clip
Animated Video:
Peasants
• Lowest class in the system
• Completed all the back
breaking work
• Worked for basic needs and
protection
• Largest group in terms of
population.
Japanese Feudal Society
• Emperor – The emperor was a figurehead for the
powerful shogun.
• Shogun – A powerful military leader, the shogun ruled in
the emperor’s name.
• Daimyo and Samurai – Daimyo were powerful lords who
often led armies of samurai. Samurai warriors served the
shogun and daimyo.
• Peasants – Most Japanese were poor peasants who had
no power.
Human
Pyramid
Challenge
Japanese FEUDALISM
Failure of the Mongols to
conquer allowed Japan to
continue their
government in which
noble landowners held
power. This system is
called:
__feudalism______
Compare and Contrast
Feudalism in Japan vs Europe
Area:
Feudal Europe
Feudal Japan
Chain mail (links,)
heavy plates of
steel
Iron, leather, and silk
held together with
leather straps
Styles of
battle
Most knights on foot,
some on horses
Most samurai on foot,
some on horses
Weapons
Sword, mace, bow
and arrow, etc
Codes
of Honor
“Chivalry” (courtesy,
protecting serfs,
loyalty to lord)
Sword mainly;
some bamboo guns
“Bushido” (give life to
protect daimyo, set
good examples)
Armor
Feudalism in Japan vs Europe
Literacy
Latin; Clergy were
literate, most others
were not
Japanese; Shoguns
forced most
Samurai to learn
Why did
Feudalism
die here?
Died around 1400. People
moved off manors and into
growing towns
Died in late 1800s.
Shoguns adopted new
technologies; Samurais
were no longer needed