I. Feudalism
A political, economic, and social system that
exchanges land for loyalty and military service.
A. Japanese Feudalism
Japan had an emperor,
but rival clans
battled for land.
Warlords formed
groups loyal to
them, not the
emperor.
1. A shogun is
supreme
military
commander.
2. A daimyo is
a powerful
landowner.
a. The shogun gave land to
daimyo in exchange for
protection.
b. The most successful was the
Tokugawa Shogunate, who
ruled from 1603 - 1868.
3. Samurai, or
warriors whose
name means
“those who serve”
got land from the
daimyo.
a. Bushido, or
“way of the
warrior” is a
code of honor,
bravery, and
loyalty that
Samurai
followed.
B. Samurai who
betrayed the code of
bushido had to
commit seppuku, or
ritual suicide, rather
than live without
honor. The samurai
would impale himself
on his sword.
C. Ronin were hired
soldiers and were
considered lower
class.
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 Unlike the solid
steel plates used
by European
knights,
Japanese armor
consisted of thin
strips of steel
held together by
brightly colored
silk cords.
 The true samurai was supposed to
have no fear of death.
 “If you think of saving your life,” it
was said, “you had better not go to
war at all.”
 Samurai prepared for hardship by
going hungry or walking barefoot in
the snow.
 It was said, “When a samurai’s
stomach is empty, it is a disgrace to
feel hungry.”
4. Peasants, artisans
and merchants
were below samurai
a. 75-90% of Japan
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Peasants formed the
backbone of feudal
society.
What does that mean?
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Peasant families
cultivated rice
and other crops
on estates of
samurai.
Some peasants
served as
soldiers; rarely,
some even
became samurai.
C
A
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T
L
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Let’s compare European Feudalism to
Japanese Feudalism!
Differences
Similarities
Differences
Japanese Feudalism
European Feudalism
Emperor - Highest position but
no political power
Pope
Shogun - Actual ruler
King
Lords and nobles
Daimyo -Powerful landowners
Samurai- gave protection for
land
Knights
Code of Bushido- behavior code
Seppuku- ritual suicide, rather
than live without honor
Code of Chivalry
Peasants and artisansprovided food and weapons
Merchants- gained status slowly
Serfs
Later
Merchants- High
Middle Ages
Sea of Japan
Sea of Okhotsk
Hokkaido
Tsuguru Strait
Mt. Fuji
Korea Strait
Honshu
Inland Sea
Kyushu
Shikoku
East China Sea
I. Geography
A. Japan is an
archipelago, or
chain of islands
in the Pacific O.
B. Most of Japan is
mountainous so
people settled in
arable or
farmable river
valleys and along
coastal plains.
C. Japan is in the Ring of Fire or
.
Pacific Rim of Fire, a region with
many earthquakes and volcanoes
Mt. Fuji
D. A Tsunami is a huge tidal wave.
E. A Typhoon is a hurricane in the Pacific
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Failure to Conquer Japan
•
•
•
In 1274 and again in
1281, Kublai Khan
sent huge fleets to
invade Japan.
Both times, the
Japanese turned
them back.
A typhoon
(kamikaze) even
destroyed one
Mongol fleet.
Farming is
harder
Mountains
Less unity
Islands
Close to
China
and
Korea
Geography
of
Japan
Shintoismreligion based
on nature spirits
Sea provides food,
transportation,
isolation, protection
Cultural diffusion
II. Culture
A. China’s influence on Japan
Writing
Buddhism
Japan
adapted
Chinese
writing
system
to their
language.
Spread and
flourished
Zen Buddhism
Values peace,
simple living, nature
and beauty.
Confucianism
proper behavior,
loyalty,
honoring
parents (filial
piety) and
respect for
learning
“Harmony should be valued and quarrels (argument)
should be avoided. Everyone has his bias (prejudice) and
few men are far-sighted. Therefore some disobey their
lords and fathers and keep up feuds (arguments) with their
neighbors. But when superiors are in harmony with each
other an inferiors are friendly, then affairs are discussed
quietly and the right view of matters prevails (do well).”
~Prince Shotoku
What philosophy does Prince Shotoku seem to
be influenced by? Why?
B. The Japanese practiced Selective borrowing,
keeping some Chinese ideas and rejected others.
C. Japanese Art
Title: The Great Wave Off Kanagawa
Museum/ Source: Honolulu Academy of Arts, Hawaii
Artist: Katsushika Hokusai
Medium: Polychrome woodblock print on paper
Date: Edo period, c. 1828
Size: 9 7/8" X 14 5/8" (25 X 37.1 cm)
1. Calligraphy
2. Origami : The Art of
Japanese Paper Folding
Origami
3. Colorful woodblock
prints became
popular.
D. Theater
1. Kabuki plays often
showed family or
historical events.
-Dressed in colorful
costumes, actors
used exaggerated
movements to
convey action.
Kabuki Theater
An interior of a Kabuki theater.
E. Literature
Japanese poets
adapted Chinese
models, creating
miniature poems
called haiku.
In only 3 lines and
17 syllables,
feeling is
expressed.
Haiku : 17-syllable
poem
Spring departs.
Birds cry
Fishes' eyes are
filled with tears.
Matsuo Basho, Master of Haiku
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Polytheism
Shinto
Minimize
sin &
guilt
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Zen Buddhism
A. During Japan’s
feudal age, Zen
Buddhism
emphasized
meditation and
duty.
B. Zen stressed
compassion for
all yet samurai
fought to kill.
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 At Zen monasteries, upper-class men learned to
express devotion to nature in such activities as
landscape gardening.
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 Zen monks were the leading scholars and
artisans of feudal Japan. The temple served as a
Zen monastery and a peaceful retreat for visiting
shoguns seeking advice.
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 The elaborate rituals of the tea ceremony
reflected Zen values of peace, simplicity, and
love of beauty.
Tea Ceremony
A Japanese Tea
Master
A Japanese Tea
House
Bonzai : A Unique Method
of Meditation
Japanese Garden for
Meditation
Japanese Zen Garden
Japanese Sand Garden
Miniature Rock/Sand
Garden
Torii Gate in Winter
Torii Gate
Torii Gate
DOMO ARIGATO!