Transcript Medieval Japan

Yamato Period: 300-710
Began promoting the adoption
of Chinese culture:
a
a
a
a
a
Confucianism.
Language (kanji characters).
Buddhist sects.
Chinese art & architecture.
Government structure.
“Great Kings” era
Prince Shotoku: 573-621
a Adopted Chinese
culture and
Confucianism.
a Buddhist sects
allowed to develop.
a Created a new
government
structure:
 17 Article
Constitution
in 604.
Heian Period: 794-1156
Characteristics:
a Growth of large landed estates.
a Arts & literature of China flourished.
a Elaborate court life [highly refined]
 ETIQUETTE.
a Personal diaries
e The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon [10c]
a Great novel
e The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki
Shikibu [1000 pgs.+]
a Moving away from Chinese models in
religion, the arts, and government.
Heian Period:
Cultural Borrowing
1.Chinese writing.
2.Chinese artistic styles.
3.Buddhism [in the form of ZEN].
4.BUT, not the Chinese civil
service system!
Heian Court Dress
Minamoto Yoritomo
Founded the Kamakura Shogunate:
1185-1333
The emperor
reigned, but did
not always rule!
Feudal
Society
Code of Bushido
* Fidelity
* Politeness
* Virility
* Simplicity
* Honor
Seppuku:
Ritual Suicide
It is honorable to
die in this way.
Kaishaku – his
“seconds”
Full Samurai Attire
Samurai Sword
Modern-Day “Samurai Warriors”
Code of Chivalry
* Justice
* Loyalty
* Defense
* Courage
* Faith
* Humility
* Nobility
Medieval Warriors
vs.
European knight
Samurai Warrior
Medieval Warriors
vs.
Knight’s Armor
Samurai Armor
•
•
Ninjas
The job of the ninja was
basically to spy for the shogun.
Occasionally they would also be
saboteurs, and assassins.
Mongol
“Invasions”
of Japan
4,400 ships and 140,000 men, but kamikaze
winds stopped them.
Ashikaga Age:
1338-1573
► Shoguns fought for power.
a Laws are unclear.
a Less efficient than the Kamakura.
a Armies of samurai protected
the country.
Osaka Castle
Main Gate of
Hiroshima Castle