Transcript Japan - Cathedral High School

Early Japan
And Feudalism
Geography
Archipelago?
Chain of islands, about 100 miles off
Asian mainland
Size of Montana
Why do most live in river valleys or
along coast?
Too mountainous, 4/5ths
How did seas help and hurt them?
Isolated, trade, food, influences
Ring of Fire?
Area in Pacific includes Philippines,
Indonesia, Australia, and South America
Tsunami?
Underwater earthquake causing huge
tidal waves
Japan
From the 300s ce to 600s ce
Early Japan
Hundreds of Clans controlled their
own territories in Japan.
The dominant religion, Shintoism,
was polytheistic (each clan had its
own gods from original ancestor)
and based on divine spirits in
nature.
Honoring kami, or nature spirits
Yamato Clan set up Japan’s first
and only dynasty.
Yamato Clan
Shinto
Shrine
Early Japan
The economy was agriculturally
based and there were trade
contacts with China.
The influence of China on many
aspects of Japanese culture was
significant.
First Emperors
By the 400s, one
the most powerful
clans claimed
divine approval
and their leaders
called themselves
emperors.
Current emperor
still claims decent
from Yamato Clan
First Emperors
Though ruling families changed,
the position of emperor, as a
figurehead with divine qualities,
became a common trend.
Korean Bridge?
Korean artisans in Japan, warrior
attacks, religion, Chinese culture
from Korea
Japan
From the 600s ce to 1600s
Increased Chinese influence
In the 600s, Chinese culture and
styles in government, writing, court
etiquette, Confucianism, and
Buddhism were often mandated by
the ruling clans.
Chinese Buddhism gradually
mixed with Shinto beliefs and a
distinct form of Japanese
Buddhism evolved.
Heian Period
(hay AHN) 794-1185. Imperial capital.
Elegant and sophisticated culture
blossomed
Fairy-tale atmosphere of gardens and
pools
Extraordinary dress
Women had little rights
Japan’s Feudal Age
Loss of Central Authority
Eventually enthusiasm for
everything Chinese died down
Powerful families and Buddhist
leaders began to challenge the
central government as regional
rulers with their own armies
developed.
Loss of Central Authority
Mini-states, or shogunates
(supreme military commander), took
the place of the central government.
Emperor had little power
Warlords
These great lords and
their warriors fought for
political power and
control of territory. Civil
wars resulted.
The Japanese Feudal
Period or The Era of
Warrior Dominance had
begun.
Feudal Rank
Shogun
Daimyo (Di myoh)- vassal lords
Samurai- knights
Bushido “way of the warrior”- chivalry
Supposed to have no fear
Seppuku (she poo koo)?
Ritual suicide
Early women more rights, could
become warriors
Samurai code did not set women on
pedestal
Artisans- made armor and weapons
Peasants- 75%, farmed, soldiers, rise
in ranks
Merchants
Kamikaze?
Divine winds, after Mongols
attempted invasion
Japanese thought had special
protection of the gods
Samurai and Knights
Japanese Warriors compared to
the European Warriors
Samurai Wisdom from the
Hagakure
A child should not be allowed to
become frightened of thunder
through the oversight of his
parents, or forbidden to go into the
dark, and it is bad policy to tell him
frightening stories to keep him
quiet when he cries.
Samurai Wisdom from the
Hagakure
The best conduct with regard to
speaking is to remain silent. At
least if you think you can manage
without speaking, do not speak.
What must be said should be said
as succinctly as possible. A
surprising number of people make
fools of themselves by talking
without thinking, and are looked
down upon.
Samurai Wisdom from the
Hagakure
A man endowed with equal virtue
has at core a kind of calm or ease
so that he never gives the
impression of being busy. It is
lesser men who have no
peacefulness in their character,
who compete for fame and go
around knocking each other down.
Tokugawas
1603-1868 ruled Japan
Rid of feudal warfare
Daimyo required to live in capital Edo
every other year; wife and kids
remained full time; permission
Only samurai serve in military or
government; peasants farmed; low
class couldn’t wear silk
Women rights strictly regulated
Economic Growth
Agriculture improved and expanded
(new seeds, tools, fertilizer)
Population growth
More towns
New roads for trade
Zen Buddhism
Emphasized meditation and devotion to
duty
Devotion to nature (landscaping), seek
enlightenment through precise
performance of everyday tasks
Contradictions
Zen monks great scholars but moment of
“non-knowing”
Compassion for all but samurai killed
Absolute freedom but rigid rules in
society
Artistic Traditions
No plays performed on square wooden
stage with no scenery
Elegant carved masks, movements had
special meaning
Kabuki?
Comedy or melodrama
Bunraku?
Narrator with story and used near lifesized puppets for story
Haiku?
Three lines- totalizing 17 syllables
Express feeling or thought