Japanese Feudal
System
Shoguns, Daimyo and Samurai
What is a feudal system?
  Feudalism = A system of obligations
that bound lords and their subjects to a
king or leader. In theory, the king owned
all or most of the land and gave it to his
leading nobles in return for their loyalty
and military service. Under feudalism,
people were born with a permanent
position in society.
What was life like outside
the Heian Court?
  Outside of the emperor’s influence (and
notice) Japan was chaotic and
dangerous.
Powerful nobles fought each other for land.
  Rebels fought against imperial officials.
  Peasants grew poorer and some turned to
crime.

How did feudalism develop?
  With the emperor distracted by life at court,
large landowners decided they needed to
protect their own lands.
  These landowners (daimyo) hired professional
warriors (samurai).
  Some daimyo decided to take power for
themselves (from the emperor).
  After a long war between two rival families, the
Minamoto clan leader took the title of shogun.
The shogun was a military leader who ruled in
the emperor’s name.
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.
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.
There were very limited opportunities for
movement between classes.
  Samurai were paid with land or food for their
service.
Samurai Facts (continued)
  Samurai lived by a code of honor called
“Bushido” or “the way of the warrior”.
  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.
  Other important traits include: bravery and self
discipline.