ancient japan: government and laws
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Ancient Japan: Government and Laws. By Jessica Xu. The First Emperor. By legend, Japan’s first emperor was the son of the Sun Goddess. Chinese history tells the tale of a man sent by the Qin Emperor to find the secret to immortality. But history begs to differ. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Ancient Japan:Ancient Japan:
GovernmeGovernme
nt nt
and Lawsand Laws
By Jessica Xu
The First The First EmperorEmperor
By legend, Japan’s first emperor was the son of the Sun Goddess.
But history begs to differ...
Chinese history tells the tale of a man sent by the Qin Emperor to find the secret to immortality.
He was never seen again.
Centuries later, his grave was found on an island east of China – the island of the Rising Sun: Japan.
It is believed that he was the
founder of Japan and its very first
emperor.He took with him hundreds of servants and child-priests upon ten ships.
THE FAMOUS FourTHE FAMOUS FourEmperors
<- Emperor Jimmu<- 神武天皇Born (according to legend) in 660 BC.Supposedly divine, he ruled from birth till death in 585 BC WAS THE FIRST
EMPEROR OF JAPAN, AND, TO THIS DAY, A CONTROVERSIAL CHARACTER IN BOTH MYTH AND HISTORY
His birthday (according to the Japanese book of myths) was February 11th of the Gregorian calendar and is now celebrated as National Foundation Day
Ruling Ruling HierarchyHierarchy
Emperor
Shogun
Daimyo
Samurai Warrior
Figurehead with no
power of decision
Generals with absolute power who act on own
will (aka: shōgunates)
Heads of Great families with influence over a certain district
- considered warlords commanding armies of their own
Warriors in daimyo’s armies – the Japanese equivalent to knights complete with family crest, respect and fairly good social status
THE FAMOUS FourTHE FAMOUS FourEmperor Ōjin:
Emperors
15th Emperor of Japan
The first emperor whose existence existed outside of myths and legends
First appeared in Japanese history book Nihonshoski as son of Emperor Chūai and Empress Consort Jingū
Birth name:
Homutawak
e or 誉田別
THE FAMOUS FourTHE FAMOUS FourEmperors
Original painting of Empress suiko
Emperor Suiko推古天皇
Empresses
First empress of Japan
33rd ruler of Japan
Reigned from 593 AD to 628 AD
Known by as many as nine names including Princess Nukatabe and Toyomike Kashikiya
Distantly related to Emperor Yōmei making her unorthodox rise to the throne slightly bearable for those who opposed her rule
COURTS OF THE COURTS OF THE EMPEROREMPEROR
The Imperial court of the Japanese Emperor was divided into two in the mid 1200s when the two sons of newly deceased Emperor, Go-Saga, fought over the throne
Shōgunates supporting the son named Go-Fukakusa created the Northern Court
Shōgunates supporting the son named kameyama created the Southern Court
The two courts struggled for power for over a decade
The strife of the courts ceased only with the arrival of Emperor Go-Komatsu
When Go-Komatsu died, however, the truce was broken and the courts returned to their quiet warfare
THE FAMOUS FourTHE FAMOUS Four
Emperor Go-Komatsu
EmpressesEmperors
後小松天皇
100th emperor of Japan
Ruled from 1382 AD to 1412 AD
Unified the contending Northern and Southern courts
Also known as Motohito or 幹仁
Named after Emperor Kōkō who Go-Komatsu resembled in
birth
10 000 BC to 300 BC – JOMON ERA: Japan was founded by Emperor Jimmu
300 BC to 300 AD – Yayoi Era: Basic sciences (metal working, rice cultivation and the potter’s wheel) were introduced from china; Japan begins a development of religion which urged the formation of beginning political units
300 AD to 645 AD – Kofun era: Occupied regions joined and formed states; the most powerful clan called the yamato clan was allied with empires in mainland Asia and thus began the first dynasty
6 – Japan adopted Chinese characters and the bone structure of Japanese culture, society and government began to take shape under influence of China and Korea
645 AD to 710 AD – Asuka Era: Reforms took place and strengthened the power of the emperor under the pressure of newly formed aristocratic families
710 AD to 794 AD – Nara Era: New capital built based on capitals in mainland Asia, and emperors gain more political power through adoption of Buddhism
794 AD to 1185 AD – Heian Era: Imperial court moved in fear of being overrun by the Buddhist developments during the Nara Era and the alliances with China were cut thus weakening the hold of the Imperial court which resulted in the rose of the warrior class (Bushi)
1185 AD to 1333 AD – Kamakura Era: Era named after the military-based government established in Kamakura; the emperor now serves only as a figurehead and the Bushi (including Shōgunates) become the ruling class
8 – In 1274 ad and 1281 ad, the Bushi government of Kamakura was weakened by Mongol attacks
1333 AD to 1568 AD – Muromachi Era: A district of Kyoto called Muromachi becomes capital to a new shōgunate Military Government
6 – From 1467 ad to the end of the era the central government crumbles after the Onin war; firearms were brought to Japan by marooned Portuguese soldiers
1568 AD to 1600 AD – Azuchimomoya Era: Basis of modern Japan is laid by reunification of civil-war-stricken Japan and further ambitions, including invasion and occupation of China and Korea ended in failure
From 1600 AD – Edo Era: Japan settles into an age of peace and isolation was introduced
From Jimmu to Go-From Jimmu to Go-Komatsu Komatsu
Jimmu Go-KomatsuAbsolute monarchy Bushi Ruling Class
Only two class divisions: Royalty and Peasants
Four Ruling Classes and Four classes of citizenship (Farmer, Craftsmen, Merchants and Women)
Relied much on Mainland empires and states
Cut all ties with mainland and flourished in isolation
Rulers selected by aptitude, pedigree, and influence
Rulers selected by military prowess
BIBLIOGRAPHYBIBLIOGRAPHY W.G. Aston, trans., Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the
Earliest Times to A.D. 697, 2 vols. in 1 .London: Keagan and Co. 1896.
May Knapp, Arthur. Feudal and Modern Japan. Stanford University: J. Knight Co. 1896.
Wikipedia. Feudal Japan Hierarchy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feudal_Japan_hierarchy (Sept. 18. 2007)
Smitha, Frank E. The Ancient Japanese.
http://macrohistory.com/japan/ancient_05 (Sept. 18. 2007)
Asia Society. Background Essay: Japanese History. http://askasia.org/background_essays_67009/ (Sept. 20. 2007)