Transcript Early Japan and Korea

Medieval Japan
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How might religious beliefs
affect society, culture, and politics?
TEKS and Objectives
We will...
(24A) describe the changing roles of
women, children, and families during
major eras of world history
(25A) summarize the fundamental
ideas and institutions of Eastern
Civilizations that originated in China
I will…
• Describe the social and political
structure of Japan during the
Middle Ages
Geography of Japan
• Mountainous archipelago (chain of many
islands)
• Only 11% of land can be farmed
• Volcanic origin = fertile soil
• Prone to earthquakes
• Geographically isolated
First Japanese
• Settled in Yamato Plain
• Society made up of clans
• Two social classes
• Rulers
• Rice farmers, artisans, and
servants
Shōtoku Taishi
• Yamato prince who unified clans against Chinese
invasion
• Sent representatives to China
• Created a centralized government based on Chinese
model
• Limited power of aristocrats; enhanced emperor’s
authority
• Emperor portrayed as a divine figure
• Land belonged to the state
• Taxes paid directly to central government
The Nara Period and the Heian Period
• The Nara Period
• Emperor titled “Son of Heaven”
• Weak government
• Aristocrats kept taxes for themselves
• The Heian Period
• Emperor only ruled in name
• Real power remained in hands of powerful families
• Aristocrats took justice into their own hands
Samurai
• Samurai: “those who serve”; Japanese warriors similar to the knights of
medieval Europe
• Hired by aristocrats
• Protected the security and property of employers
• Fought on horseback, wore helmet and armor, and carried a sword and bow
• Bushido: “the way of the warrior”; the strict code by which Japanese samurai
were supposed to live
The Kamakura Shogunate 1192-1333
• Japan experienced a series of civil wars
• Minamoto Yoritomo
• Defeated rivals and set up power near modern-day Tokyo
• Japan’s first Shogun
• Shogun: “general”; a powerful military leader in Japan
• Emperor remained ruler in name only
• Shogun exercised actual power
Mongol Attacks
• Kublai Khan sent 23,000 troops to
invade Japan in 1274
• Mongol fleet sunk by a storm
• Returned in 1281 with 150,000 troops
• Japanese forced them to retreat
• Typhoon devastated Mongolian fleet
• War strained political system
Role of Women
• Had certain level of equality with men in early
Japan
• Guaranteed inheritance rights
• Could divorce and remarry
• Subordinate to men in later periods
• Husband could divorce if she did not bear a son or
if she committed adultery, talked too much, was
jealous, or had a serious illness
Japanese Religion
• Shinto: “the sacred way”; the Japanese
state religion
• Believe the Emperor is divine
• Believe Japan is a sacred nation
• Zen: a sect of Buddhism that became
popular with Japanese aristocrats
• Buddhist influence from China
• Became part of the samurai’s code
The Emergence of Korea
• Mountainous peninsula greatly influenced by
China and Japan
• Three kingdoms
• Koguryo (north), Paekche (southwest), Silla
(southeast)
• Ruled by monarchies
• Bitter rivals
• Buddhism spread to and became official
religion of all three
Silla
• Kings adopted Buddhist names and built many
temples
• Became more allied with China
• Monarchy turned to Confucianism
• Gained control of the peninsula with support
of the Tang
• Assassination of king led to civil war
Koryo Dynasty
• Arose in the north
• Adopted Chinese political institutions
• Remained in power for 100 years
• Mongols seized northern part of Korea
• Remained in power by accepting Mongol rule
• Much suffering for Koreans
• Peasants and artisans forced to build ships of invasion of
Japan
• Dynasty broke down after collapse of Mongol Empire
Journal Entry #11
How was the feudal system of Japan similar to the
feudal system of Europe? Support your answer with
at least three examples.
TEKS and Objectives
We will...
(24A) describe the changing roles of
women, children, and families during
major eras of world history
(25A) summarize the fundamental
ideas and institutions of Eastern
Civilizations that originated in China
I will…
• Describe the social and political
structure of Japan during the
Middle Ages