Aim: How did feudalism shape
ancient Japanese society?
L48Japan
Do Now: Based on this document, what is seppuku and why
would a samurai perform it?
In the world of the warrior, seppuku was a deed of bravery
that was admirable in a samurai who knew he was
defeated, disgraced, or mortally wounded. It meant that he
could end his days with his wrongdoing wiped away and
with his reputation not merely intact but actually
enhanced. The cutting of the abdomen released the
samurai’s spirit in the most dramatic fashion, but it was an
extremely painful and unpleasant way to die, and
sometimes the samurai who was performing the act asked
a loyal comrade to cut off his head at the moment of
agony.
Gov
Culture
Religion
Economics
Legacy
Gov admired
Buddhist writings (5)
Mountains cause
little to no
agriculture = forces
them to trade (1)
Kami= supernatural
beings/ GodsSHINTO!! (2)
Mountains cause
little to no
agriculture = forces
them to trade (1)
Citizens classified
by social status in
the Feudal system
(6)
Rich soil in plains =
wealth and power(3)
Created a highway
system!! To help
with communication
and trade (8)
Citizens classified
by social status in
the Feudal system
(6)
Emperor had very
little power the most
power belonged to
Shogun (6)
Samurai roles are to
be strong and
protective (7)
Territory broken up
into shogunates (to
be ruled by
individual shoguns)
(8)
Advances in
agriculture and
bronze making
taken from Korea(3)
Acceptance of
Chinese culture- art
and clothing (4)
Citizens classified
by social status in
the Feudal system
(6)
Samurai roles are to
be strong and
protective (7)
Males viewed as
superior over
females (7)
Gov admired
Buddhist writings (5)
Great appreciation
for the Buddha over
the individual (5)
Created a highway
system!! To help
with communication
and trade (8)
Aim: How would feudalism impact
daily life in Japan?
L49feudalism
Do now: Regents question of the day!
Feudalism
A political, economic, and social
system based on loyalty, the
holding of land, and military
service.
Emperor
Shogun
Land - Shoen
Land - Shoen
Protection
Samurai
Peasant
Daimyo
Loyalty
Daimyo
Samurai
Peasant
Loyalty
Samurai
Peasant
Food
Peasant
Code of Bushido
* Fidelity
* Politeness
* Virility
* Simplicity
Seppuku:
Ritual Suicide
It is honorable to
die in this way.
Kaishaku – his
“seconds”
Full Samurai Attire
Samurai Sword
Zen Buddhism
A Japanese
variation of the
Mahayana form
of Buddhism,
which came from
India through
China.
It reinforced the
Bushido values of
mental and
self-discipline.
Shintoism
• Shinto, which means "Way of the Gods," is the
traditional religion of Japan that focuses on
nature.
•Established: Shinto was was founded around
the year 500 BCE.
•Founder: Evolved from a mixture of tribal
religions with similar beliefs.
•Currently Practiced: Most common in Japan.
•Emperor was considered divine by the people
who practiced Shinto.
•Appreciation for nature.
•Every mountain, river, plant, animal, and all the
diverse phenomena of heaven and earth have
spirits, or kami, which inhabit them. Reverence
is paid to the ancestors through the practice of
ancestor worship.
Osaka Castle
Main Gate of
Hiroshima Castle
Aim: How did the Tokugawa
Shogunate isolate Japan?
L50Shoguns
Do Now: Regents Question of the day!!
Document
Main Idea/ Useable Evidence
Theme
A
-The Tokugawa family took over Edo (aka Tokyo)
-Tokugawa shogun family becomes the most
powerful of the shogunates
Gov
B
- Japan is afraid that Christianity is overwhelming
their culture so they restrict and target them
Religion
Gov
C
-Japanese ships and citizens could not leave (only
to China and Holland)
-Cuts them off from cultural diffusion
(ISOLATIONISM!!!)
Gov
Religion
D
-Daimyo traveled to be at the shoguns court
-Daimyo’s spent a lot of money to travel to be part
of the court
Gov
Economics
E
- Samurai shift from being warriors to peaceful and
write poetry and perform plays
Culture
F
- Created haiku poetry to describe a special
moment ( non- rhyming)
Culture
Tokugawa Shogunate Period
1) Japan closed off to all trade
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
[except to the Dutch and Chinese]. 
 The Dutch were restricted to a
small island in Nagasaki harbor.
Japanese Christians persecuted
and Christianity is forbidden.
The government is centralized with all
power in the hands of the shogun.
Domestic trade flourishes.
Merchant class becomes rich! 
New art forms  haiku poetry, kabuki
theater.