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The Rise of Feudalism in Japan

Yamato Period300-710.Chinese cultural influence.Aspects of China that were adopted included:Confucianism.Buddhism.Art & architecture.Government structure.Language, especially kanji characters. Prince Shotoku, 573-621 ADSpread Chinese culture and Confucianism.Allowed Buddhist sects to grow and develop.Created a new governmental structure.Including a 17 Article Constitution in 604 AD.

A Divine EmperorPrior to 400 AD clans ruled separate areas of Japan.Yamato Clan produced the first emperorEmperor considered descendant of Sun Goddess and most important person in ShintoJapans native religion.Emperor respected for religious power, not political power.Clans fought to be emperors advisors.Nobles Gain PowerEarned trust of Emperor, which gained them control. Married daughters of princes.Making sure grandsons were related to both families.Nobles received most of governments high-ranking posts.Nobles dominated emperor.Emperors role became almost completely ceremonialNobles advised Emperor to give shoen to nobles and clans.Shoen is a grant of land.Similar to manor or fief in European Feudalism.By the end of the Yamato period, Japan was divided into 5000 shoen and the government had almost no land4Heian Period764-1156.Characteristics of the period:Growth of large land estates.Chinese art and literature spread.Writing and artistic style. Personal diaries and novelsThe Tale of Genji. Etiquette and highly refined court life.Began to move away from Chinese models of religion and government. Buddhism evolved into Zen Buddhism. Japanese form of Buddhism that focuses on mental and self discipline. Not influenced by Chinese civil service system.

Refined Court Life of the NoblesMaintained elegant appearance.Elaborate clothing & makeup.Practiced restrained behavior.Rude to laugh with ones mouth open.Always maintained decorum.Letters had to be folded properlyDevoted leisure time to pursuing pastimes.Modeled after influences from Chinese culture

6Kamakura Period1185-1333.Minamoto Yoritomo.Founded the Kamakura Shogunate.Considered the beginning of the Medieval Japan.Chinese influence declined.Increased influence of court system.Development of Feudalism in Japan.

Japanese FeudalismWhat is Feudalism?Why did Japan need it?

Reason #1: Nobles vs. NoblesIsolated court life for court nobles.Provincial nobles were rugged, independent, and led private armiesBecame more powerful as court nobles isolated themselvesConstantly battled with one another over control of the provinces

9Reason #2: Aftermath of MongolsMongols attempt to invade Japan. Mongols are not successful.Sense of national unity develops. Belief in superior culture. War debt.Unpaid samurai terrorized peasants for money. Kamakura Shogunate driven from power by dissatisfied samuraiReason #3: Battle over Governmental ControlTaira & Minamoto clans fought for control.Minamoto drove Taira from power.Beginnings of Feudalism:Under Minamoto rule, samurai warriors dominate Japanese society.Samurai took control of government.Created Bakufu.military governmentEmperor was only a religious leader of Japan

11Japanese FeudalismWhat is Feudalism?Why did Japan need it?

Feudalism is a political, economic, and social system.The system is based on loyalty, land holdings, and military serve/protection.The code of Bushido.Fidelity, politeness, virility, and simplicity.Seppuku.Ritual suicideHonored way for Samurai to die.Commonly called Hara-kiri.

Japanese Feudalism

Structure of Contact in Japanese Feudalism ShogunDaimyoDaimyoSamuraiSamuraiSamuraiPeasantPeasantPeasantPeasantLand - ShoenLand - ShoenProtectionLoyaltyLoyaltyFoodBakufuShogunmilitary & political leader Daimyohigh-ranking samurai lord who provided shogun with warriors in exchange for landSamurailower-ranking warriors who served their daimyo in exchange for small manorsPeasantslowest class: worked land for their lord15European FeudalismDeveloped after the fall the Roman Empire.Based on the same principles as Japan.The code of ChivalryJustice, loyalty, defense, courage, faith, humility, and nobility.Manorialism was only present in European Feudalism, not Japanese Feudalism.Whats the difference between Manorialism and Feudalism?Manorialism is the economy system of the fief.Feudalism is the economic, political, and social structure of the country or region as a whole. Structure of Contact in European Feudalism KingLordLordKnightKnightKnightPeasantPeasantPeasantPeasantLand - FiefLand - FiefProtectionLoyaltyLoyaltyFood

Himeji Castle

The walls inside and outside of Himeji Castle.19