japan: 1400-1800 japan: 1400-1800 introduction introduction the origins of the ethnic japanese are...
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Japan: 1400-1800Introduction
Introduction The origins of the ethnic Japanese
are yet uncertain, but language analysis suggests they are more closely related to the Koreans than to the Chinese
Like the Koreans, they were heavily influenced by the Chinese, importing both Buddhism and Confucianism, which took their place alongside the native civil religion, Shinto
Other important concepts Shogun: military warlord ruling in
the emperor’s name Daimyo: feudal lords Samurai: warriors owing allegiance
to Daimyo Bushido: the strict Samurai code
stressing military honor, courage, stoic acceptance of hardship, and, above all loyalty
Violation of the code brought disgrace, which could only be avoided or expatiated through “seppuku”—ritual suicide
Samurai warriorin battle armor
(c. 1860)
Seppuku
Japan: 1400-1800Unification
Japan in 1400 was feudal, with no real center of power
During the 15th and 16th century, the number of daimyos declined, as more powerful daimyo defeated and absorbed the land of their weaker rivals
By the mid-16th century, Japan was ripe to emerge from feudalism
Oda Nobunaga Daimyo most responsible for
unification Gradually subdued central Japan,
and then used it as a springboard, aided by his able general, Hideyoshi, to subdue the rest of Japan, except in the south
Oda Nobunaga(1534-1582)
ToyotomiHideyoshi
(1536-1598)
Japan: 1400-1800Rise of the Tokugawa Shogunate
Nobunaga was assassinated by one of his vassals in 1582
Hideyoshi succeeded him and completed his unification plan by subduing the south
He died in 1598, leaving an infant son as his heir in the care of a council of regents
Tokugawa Ieyasu The most influential regent, daimyo of
a vast territory surrounding modern Tokyo (then called Edo)
Ieyasu eventually turned on Hideyoshi’s son and defeated an army of daimyo defending his claim
After his victory, he had the emperor declare him Shogun, establishing a dynasty that would last until 1867
TokugawaIeyasu
(1543-1616)
Edo (now Tokyo)
Japan: 1400-1800Japan and the West
Europeans arrived in Japan in the 16th century, led by the Portuguese
Japanese took great interest in their technologies especially firearms
But they found European culture generally revolting
Christianity Jesuit missionaries experienced
some success, especially in the South
Ieyasu Tokugawa found Christianity disruptive and banned the religion in 1614
Campaigns were launched against Christian daimyo and the religion driven underground Shimbara Rebellion (1637-38):
Christian peasants revolt and are ruthlessly repressed
Japanese depiction ofPortuguese traders
Japan: 1400-1800Tokugawa Society (1)
The Tokugawa period shows the influence of Confucian philosophy on Japanese society
They organized Japan to put a premium on harmony and stablity
The Tokugawa froze people into four groups: imperial court nobility, samurai, peasants, and merchants
Each group was strictly regulated in what they could and could not do, and no movement between the groups was permitted
Other restrictions Foreigners banned from Japan,
except for tightly controlled Dutch traders in Nagasaki Useful middlemen in obtaining Chinese
silk
Japanese banned from traveling abroad
Isolated trading compound of the
Dutch in NagasakiHarbor
Japan: 1400-1800 Tokugawa Society (2)
Peasants were highly regarded in Japanese society as it was recognized they provided its sustenance
This did not prevent them from being overtaxed leading to recurrent peasant rebellions
Still, the prosperity of peasants gradually rose during this period
Merchants were looked down upon, consistent with the Confucian view that they were non-productive and parasitic
The 200-year period of peace dulled the samurai
Their forced residence in Edo part of the year and the lack of war forced many into debt
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