History of isolation Human occupation: 30,000
yrs ago Strong Japanese
Civilization AFTER yr 0 Japan first mentioned in
writing: 297 CE by Chinese “Book of Han”
TAIKA Reforms
Time of “Great Change” ◦Borrow A LOT from Chinese culture
Adopted ideas from the Tang Dynasty◦Legal code similar to Confucianism◦Buddhist faith
◦Emperor Kotoku centralized the government All Japanese land was property of the
imperial government NARA: Capital City built @ 710 CE
HEIAN (Kyoto) PERIOD
790s – 1100s CEFujiwara family held powerKYOTO: renamed capital cityNoblewomen lived in isolation—used
writing and art to communicate◦Extra time devoted to art, literature,
elegance
Feudalism Fujiwara family became more
interested in riches not governing◦ Loses political power
Decentralizes power◦ Large landowners known as
◦daimyo Set up private armies for
protection of property◦Members of these private
armies became known as…. samurai
◦Smaller landowners gave their land to large landowners for protection This gave the large
landowners more….◦ power
SHOGUNATE JAPAN Military Gov’t Emperor holds very little power
◦ Most of power goes to the military leaders known as
◦shoguns 1100s – 1800s Two Main Periods
◦ Kamakura◦ Tokugawa
STRUCTURE of Feudal Japan
EMPEROR“The Ruler”
DAIMYO“The Landlord”
SHOGUN“The General”
SAMURAI“The
Knight/Warrior”
STRUCTURE of Feudal Japan Samurai hired to protect
Daimyo’s land and peasants Endured incredible training BUSHIDO: Code Samurai
lived by “The Way of the Warrior”◦ loyalty, honor, obedience,
duty, filial piety, and self-sacrifice
◦ Hara-kiri Ritual suicide
◦If samurai is dishonored it could lead to this
EMPEROR“The Ruler”
DAIMYO“The Landlord”
SHOGUN“The General”
SAMURAI“The Knight/Warrior”
#1 Kamakura Minamoto YORIMOTO
◦ First Shogun Military leader of Japan
◦ Organized strongest military of samurai Defeated Taira
family◦ Pledged loyalty to
Emperor Leaves Kyoto
◦ Rules from Kamakura STRONGEST FROM 1100s –
1300s
Samurai during Mongol Invasion
#2 TOKUGAWA
Also called EDO EDO becomes city of TOKYO
later STRONG 1600s – 1800s Rigid Social Structure
◦ Born into these class◦4 Classes of People
Warriors Artisans Merchants Peasants