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Japan under the Shoguns - Geography and
Overview
Geography
Japan is an archipelago — made up of a string of
islands — situated on the eastern edge of Asia. It is
made up of four main islands and over a thousand
smaller islands. Its total area of 370000 square
kilometres is about the size of the Northern Territory.
The four main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu (the
largest and most populated island), Kyushu, and
Shikoku
Japan's population of 127 million is the tenth largest in
the world (Russia is the ninth).
Japan lies along an active volcanic zone. It is at the
edge of the Eurasian tectonic plate and lies at the
meeting point of this and two other plates; therefore,
volcanoes, earthquakes and hot springs are features of the country. There are more than 40
active volcanoes and hundreds of tremors occur each year. It is also subject to tsunamis.
Features
Definition
Japanese example
Volcano
Volcanoes are a
mountain that
opens downward to
a pool of molten
rock below the
surface of the
earth. When
pressure builds up,
eruptions occur.
Gases and rock
shoot up through
the opening and
spill over or fill the
air with lava
fragments. The
materials that come
out are rich in
minerals, making
Mount Fuji
Japan’s Mt. Fuji is an active volcano
about 100 kilometers southwest of
Tokyo. Commonly called “Fuji-san,” it’s
the country’s tallest peak, at 3,776
meters. A pilgrimage site for centuries,
it’s considered one of Japan’s 3 sacred
mountains, and summit hikes remain a
popular activity.
Describe how this feature
affects Japan
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the land nearby
great for farming
Earthquakes
Earthquakes are
the shaking, rolling
or sudden shock of
the earth's surface.
They are the
Earth's natural
means of releasing
stress. More than a
million earthquakes
rattle the world
each year.
Earthquakes
recycle old rock
materials for new
ones, however,
they can be very
dangerous to
people.
Tsunamis
Japan is located along the intersection
of 4 tectonic plates, hence, at least
every five minutes, a tremor occurs in
Japan which leads to a total of 2,000
quakes each year.
A tsunami is a large
ocean wave usually
caused by an
underwater
earthquake or a
volcanic explosion.
They can do great
damage to coastal
areas.
A tsunami reaches Miyako City,
overtopping seawalls and flooding
streets in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, after
the magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck
the area March 11, 2011
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Overview
symbolic
ruled
Buddhist
peace
armies
restored
medieval
emperor
culture
century
By the fifth ________ CE, Japan had developed a complex culture and religious system, even
though it did not have writing. Writing developed when Japan added Chinese characters to its
own language and introduced ________ beliefs from China and Korea.
During the ________ period, the interaction of old traditions and new influences created a rich
literary and artistic _______ that has continued to the present.
Until the twelfth century, Japan was ruled by an _______, but there were also frequent periods
during which competing _______ fought for control of the government. Out of these struggles,
complex codes of behaviour arose for samurai as they fought for their particular daimyo or lord.
The most powerful daimyo ruled as the shogun, whereas the emperor had only a _______ role.
During the eighteenth century, Japan was ______ by shoguns, all of whom were members of
the Tokugawa family. It was a period of ______ after a century of warfare, but also one in which
Japan was isolated from the outside world. By the end of the nineteenth century this isolation
had been broken down, and rule by the emperor was _______.
Kyoto: a city rich in Japanese culture
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Japan under the Shogun Overview
Watch the following video and answer the below questions in full sentences.
YouTube video: JP The Shogunate: History of Japan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP0NoVSqyuk&feature=emb_logo
1. When did the last Shogunate end?
The last Shogunated ended in...___________________________________________________
2. What is a Shogunate?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
3. Who was the second Shogun?
____________________________________________________________________________
4. What was Tokyo’s old name?
____________________________________________________________________________
5. How many levels are on the Shogunate Feudal system?
____________________________________________________________________________
6. What are Samurai?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
7. What is the Samurai code?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
8. Who could the Samurai rule over?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
9. What ended Shogunate Japan?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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Answers cloze passage
By the fifth century CE, Japan had developed a complex culture and religious system even
though it did not have writing. Writing developed when Japan added Chinese characters to its
own language and introduced Buddhist beliefs from China and Korea.
During the medieval period, the interaction of old traditions and new influences created a rich
literary and artistic culture that has continued to the present.
Until the twelfth century Japan was ruled by an emperor, but there were also frequent periods
during which competing armies fought for control of the government. Out of these struggles,
elaborate codes of behaviour arose for samurai as they fought for their particular daimyo or lord.
The most powerful daimyo ruled as the shogun, whereas the emperor had only a symbolic role.
During the eighteenth century, Japan was ruled by shoguns, all of whom were members of the
Tokugawa family. It was a period of peace after a century of warfare, but also one in which
Japan was isolated from the outside world. By the end of the nineteenth century this isolation
had been broken down, and rule by the emperor restored.