early japanese society
TRANSCRIPT
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Early Japanese Society
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Essential Questions• What was the structure of early Japanese society?• What role did Prince Shotoku play in Japanese
history?
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Japan
• In early Japan land was valuable• = power • = influence• = wealth
• Divided into clans – each ruling clan controlled portions of the islands.
• Clans often fought for land
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Structure of Society• Emperor – Figure head – Not much power over
Japan• Organized around powerful clans led by a few
powerful nobles• Nobles owned land• Known by family name and individual name
• Most Japanese were commoners• Lived in villages, fished, made some crafts
• Slaves• Cooked, cleaned, or took care of nobles
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Emperors• In the 400’s a powerful clan of central Japan
established itself as the most powerful clan • Emperors were said to be descended from this
clan• Said to be descendants from the sun goddess• Seen as divine or godlike
• Had very little power – Powerful clan leaders
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Prince Shotoku• 593-622 – Prince Shotoku ruled Japan in the place
of a child emperor – a position called a regent• HUGE FAN OF CHINA!• Sent scholars to Japan to study Chinese society• Welcomed skilled Chinese workers into Japan• Had an embassy built in China • Used Confucian principles for government• Wrote the 17 Article Constitution• Promoted belief in Buddhism
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Review• Who held real power in early Japanese society?• What was the most last effect of Shotoku’s reign?