Japanese Japanese FeudalismFeudalism

I. I. Early History of JapanEarly History of Japan::

A. A. 660 B.C.660 B.C. – First – First emperor emperor claimed claimed descent from descent from

the sun-god the sun-god and and united united

Japan Japan under under his rule his rule

II. II. FeudalismFeudalism: 11: 11thth CenturyCentury

A. Imperial rule A. Imperial rule weakened as weakened as noble noble families gained families gained power and imperial power and imperial rule rule gave gave way way to to feudalismfeudalism..

1. 1. FeudalismFeudalism- a social, - a social, political and economic political and economic system based on system based on personal loyalties, personal loyalties, socialsocial classes classes and and

the the granting of granting of land land

rightsrights..

FeudalismFeudalism

Land Land == MoneyMoney

B.B. Feudal societyFeudal society::

1. 1. EmperorEmperor - - Ceremonial Ceremonial figure who had figure who had no no real real power power

2. 2. ShogunShogun: military : military governor general who governor general who had had all the all the

political powerpolitical power of the of the

emperoremperor

3. 3. DaimyoDaimyo – powerful – powerful landlords who swore landlords who swore allegianceallegiance and and protectionprotection to the to the ShogunShogun

4. 4. SamuraiSamurai – warriors – warriors who swore who swore allegianceallegiance and and protectionprotection to to either the shogun or either the shogun or daimyo in return for daimyo in return for land.land.

a. a. BushidoBushido – code of – code of conduct which conduct which stressed stressed couragecourage, , honorhonor and and unquestioned unquestioned obedienceobedience to one’s to one’s lordlord

b. b. RoninRonin – warriors who – warriors who had no lordhad no lord and could and could be hired by other be hired by other lords.lords.

Hari kari (belly cutting) or Seppuku

General Akashi Gidayu preparing

to commit Seppuku after

losing a battle for his master in

1582. He had just written his death poem, which is

also visible in the upper right

corner.

Women have Women have their own ritual their own ritual suicide, jigai. suicide, jigai.

Here, a woman Here, a woman prepares for her prepares for her suicide; note the suicide; note the

legs tied legs tied together, a together, a

female feature of female feature of seppuku to seppuku to ensure a ensure a

"decent" posture "decent" posture in death in death

5. 5. Peasants and ArtisansPeasants and Artisans – peasants worked for – peasants worked for the farms and artisans the farms and artisans made samurai made samurai weapons in exchange weapons in exchange for samurai’s for samurai’s protectionprotection

6. 6. MerchantsMerchants – had – had low low social statussocial status despite despite having considerable having considerable wealth.wealth.

MerchantsMerchants

No No Social Social

MobilityMobility!!