Aim: Was Feudalism in Japan similar to European Feudalism?

Do Now: What do you know about Japan?

I Geography of JapanA) Japan is an archipelago east of Korea. It consists of 1000s of islands, but 4 main

ones.B) Japan lies on a fault line, and is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire (a circle of volcanic

activity in the Pacific Ocean).C) Japan is very mountainous. Its tallest mountain is Mount Fuji. D) Only 20% of Japanese land is arable (suitable for farming).E) Japan’s main natural resources are seafood and rice.

Mt. Fuji Rice Paddy

Pacific Ring of Fire

On March 11 2011, Japan experienced a devastating earthquake, causing mass

destruction. However, Japan is a leader in geothermal

energy (from magma under the Earth’s crust).

II Early Japan (300 – 710 CE)A) Early Japanese were hunters and gatherers. They were controlled by clans (small political group based on family ties, often led by an elder).

B) The traditional Japanese religion was Shinto (worship of kami; forces in nature; a form of animism).

C) Through cultural diffusion, early Japanese culture absorbed many Chinese traditions and ideas including Confucianism, Buddhism, art, architecture, and a system of writing.

D) By 400 CE Japan was united under an emperor, with the capital at Nara.

A Shinto Shrine

The first sumo wrestling matches were performed in honor of the gods, in hopes

of a good harvest.

III The Heian PeriodA) 794 CE Kyoto became the new capital of Japan.B) 9th century poets began to write in Japanese instead of in Chinese.C) Lady Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Genji 1000 CE. *The world’s 1st known fictional novel! It is about Genji, the son of the Emperor during the Heian period. It describes in detail the differences between the nobles and the commoners.

Heian Court Dress

Shogun

Daimyo Daimyo

Samurai Samurai Samurai

Peasant PeasantPeasantPeasant

Land - Shoen

Land - Shoen

Protection

Loyalty

Loyalty

Food

EmperorEmperor

IV Feudal Japan

A) By the 9th century CE, the power of the Emperor declined. Feudalism became the dominant form of government in Japan.

Feudal Japan Continued…Emperor: The divine head of society, who held no real power. Lived at Kyoto.

Shogun: The emperor’s military deputy, who held real power over Japan.Lived at Edo.

Daimyo Lords: who held power over their own land, under the control ofthe shogun.

Samurai: Warriors, most of whom enjoyed high social status but had verylittle power. Loyal to their daimyo.

Merchants: People who traded goods. They occupied the lowest rung of society,as Confucianism viewed them as not contributing to society.

Farmers, Artisans

Feudal Japan Continued…B) The Samurai followed the Code of Bushido “Way of the Warrior”

1. Honor

2. Bravery

3. Loyalty

4. Simplicity

5. If a Samurai displeased his master or lost a battle, he may practice seppuku (ritual suicide) so he will not lose honor.

Osaka Castle

Samurai Armor

V Zen BuddhismA) Zen Buddhism began in China in the 6th century. It was greatly influenced by Taoism; Zen Buddhists have a great respect for nature. It became popular in Japan by the 12th century.

B) Zen Buddhism greatly influenced Japanese culture.

1. Zen Buddhism requires a strict mental focus and discipline, which reinforced the Code of Bushido2. Zen Buddhist Gardens were built as places for meditation and beauty3. Japanese Tea Ceremony: This ceremony transforms the simple act of pouring tea into a beautiful art form.4. Haiku Poetry: Short, simple, beautiful poems. 5, 7, then 5 syllables.

Zen literally means “meditation”.

Zen GardenThis Zen garden was

designed deliberately for the purpose of

meditation. What materials were used?

How were they placed?

Zen Winter Garden

The disk moonthe disk frozen lake

reflecting each other – Hashimoto Takako 20th century

Zen Spring Garden

Lighting one candle With another candle; An evening of spring.

- Yosi Buson, 18th century

Zen Summer Garden

How hot the cobwebs look Hanging on summer trees!- Yosa Buson, 18th century

Zen Autumn Garden

In the mountainside sky cherry petals playas they fall ...- Kusama Tokihiko, 20th century

Summary1. Describe at least 2 ways that Japan’s geography has impacted its

history and/or culture.2. Using a Venn diagram, compare and contrast Japanese feudalism

with feudalism in Western Europe.3. Write your own haiku about Japan!

my friend pork shoulderI return to you. this timei've brought mayonnaise

Key VocabularyArchipelagoArable ClansCode of BushidoDaiymoFeudalismHeian PeriodKamiLady ShikibuMt. FujiPacific Ring of FireSamuraiSepukkuShintoShogunThe Tale of GenjiZen Buddhism