AIM: How did feudalism shape Japanese society?
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.
Japanese Feudalism
I. Feudalism: self-sufficient political/social structure of
Japan.
1. Emperor – figurehead, no real power.
2. Shogun – local rulers with power & land.
A. Gave some of their land to the daimyo in exchange
for loyalty.
3. Daimyo – large landowners.
A. Gave some of their land to the samurai in exchange
for protection.
4. Samurai – warriors.
A. Gave protection to the lower class in exchange for
food & services.
B. Bushido Code – “the way of the warrior”
i. Rules that the samurai had to live by.
5. Peasants, artisans & merchants.
A. Made up 4/5 of the population.
Aim/Goal: How did the Tokugawa
Shogunate impact the history of Japan?
Do Now: Give a definition of the following:
Bushido
Samurai
Feudalism
Tokyo
Mt. Fuji
Order and Unity Under the
Tokugawas
• After the Mongol invasion, there was
much fighting in Japan.
• In 1600 a new daimyo, Tokugawa
Ieyasu becomes the new Shogun. This
shogunate rules until 1868.
What would the Shogun
say?
Centralized Feudalism
• Tokugawa wanted to end the warfare
• Created a unified orderly society:
– Daimyo and families had to live in Tokyo the
Shogun could have access to them.
– Needed permission to marry or repair their
castles.
– Only samurai were allowed to serve in the
military or have a government job
– Follow the traditions of bushido.
Edo Castle
Zen Buddhism flourishes under the
Tokugawas
• Buddhist monks taught the samurai about
the religion.
• Zen: meditation/devotion to duty
• Zen shaped Japanese culture.
– Men learned to express devotion to nature
– People could seek enlightenment
– Meditation and ritual
– Valued: peace, simplicity and love of beauty
Zen Buddhist Temple
• Zen monks were the
leading scholars and
artists of feudal Japan.
This temple was a Zen
monastery and a peaceful
retreat for visiting
shoguns seeking advice.
• How does the setting of
this temple reflect Zen
values?
Primary Source Document
• Perfect Serenity: Kenko, Zen Buddhist priest
• “If we were never to fade away…but linger on forever in
the world, how things would lose their power to move us!
The most precious thing in life is its uncertainty. The
May fly waits not for the evening, the summer cicada
knows neither spring nor autumn. What a wonderfully
unhurried feeling it is to live even a single year in perfect
serenity. If that is not enough for you, you might live a
thousand years, and still feel it was but a single nights
dream We cannot live forever in this world.”
• How do Kenko’s words reflect what you know about
Buddhist beliefs?