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Feudal Japan

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Topic: Feudal Japan Aim: How does Feudal Japan compare and contrast to Feudalism in Europe? Agenda: 1)Notes on page 5 and 7 2)Guided practice on page 4 and 6 3)Watching the PBS documentary The Way of the Samurai

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Japans Early History: Life in early Japan was organized into clans: groups of families with a common ancestor. Each clan worshipped its own nature gods and goddess. These early custom and beliefs combined to from Japans earliest religion: Shinto, meaning the way of the Gods this religion believe that sprits (kami dwelled in nature) By the 5 th century, the leader of the Yamato clan unified the country and established himself as emperor. He claimed to be descended directly from the Sun Goddess. (Think of Japanese flag)

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II. Chinas influence on Japan: Japans location close to China encouraged cultural diffusion: Aspects of Chinese culture brought to Japan 1.Religion/Philosophies: Buddhism and Zen Buddhism 2.Culture: Calligraphy, food, hairstyles, drinking tea 3.Government: Civil service exam

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Chinese Influence on Japan

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Although greatly influenced by China, Japan preserved their own identity thought selective borrowing. Examples of Japans selective borrowing: 1.Civil Service Exams did not work, kept powerful families 2. Still followed Shintoism and not just Buddhism.

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III. Japans Golden Age: The Heian Period (794-1185) The emperor moved his capital to Heian (today Kyoto). Taxes supported a lavish court. All land belonged to the emperor, who lent it to the nobles and peasant farmers. Golden Age: At the end of the this period, nobles established their own private estates and had private armies protect them. The power of the emperor while the power of the nobles. In the late 1100s, Japan was in a civil war

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IV. Japans Feudal Period (1200-1600) From the warfare of the 1100s, emerged a system of feudalism similar to that in Medieval Europe In 1192, the emperor appointed a powerful noble, Minamoto Yoritomo, as the Japans Supreme Military Government, known in Japan as the Shogun has the power

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Emperor: Figurehead no real power Shogun: Holds all power- military dictator Daimyo: Lords- landowners Samurai: Fighters Famers/artisans/merchants: Offer loyalty for protection

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In 1274, Mongol leader Kublai Khan tried to invade Japan with a massive fleet, but unfavorable winds destroyed his ships while the samurai killed any that reached land Effects of Japanese victor over Mongols: They become ethnocentric and do not welcome foreigners.

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Page 7. Comparison of Feudal Pyramids King Nobles Knights Europe Emperor Shogun Serfs/Peasants Samurai Peasants/ Merchants Daimyo Japan

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Japan SamuraiEuropean Knights Code of Honor BushidoChivalry Who they fight for Daimyo/shogunNobles/lords Treatment of Women Poor, status of women fell Improved as knights are ordered to protect. Weapons and armor Katana swords. armor made of iron and leather. Lance, swords, and daggers. Armor made of iron, have shield Seppuku Samurai Sword vs European Long Sword

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Now what? On page 4 fill out the summary of Japanese History using your notes (page 5). On page 6 fill out your five questions using your notes on page 7. Answer to number 5 is: Seppuku While you work I will be showing The Way of the SamuraiThe Way of the Samurai