Early Japan consisted of isolated farming villages along the coasts. The Yayoi culture introduced rice farming and metalworking between 300 BC and AD 300. Society was organized into clans led by warrior chiefs. In AD 500, the Yamato clan brought Japan under its rule, establishing an imperial line. Prince Shotoku introduced reforms in AD 600 based on Chinese Confucian ideals, including a constitution and bureaucracy. Japan developed its own unique culture and the Shinto religion, believing natural spirits called kami inhabited all things.

1. Medieval Japan Early Japan

2. Japan’s Geography Japan is a chain of islands in the northern Pacific Ocean The four largest islands are Hokkaido Honshu Shikoku Kyushu

3. Japan’s Geography (cont.) Japan is covered by mountains Only 20% of Japan’s land can be farmed Like ancient Greece, the Japanese turned to the sea for a living. Early settlers formed villages along the coast and fished for food. The sea encouraged people to become merchants

4. Japan’s Geography (cont.) The vast ocean kept the Japanese isolated. As a result, Japan developed its own independent society with its own religion, art, literature and government.

5. The First Settlers Japan’s earliest people came from northeast Asia 30,000 – 10,000 B.C. Jomon culture(cord marks) 5, 000 – 300 B.C. This culture made pottery using knotted cords to make designs Settled in fishing villages along the coast.

6. The First Settlers (cont.) Yayoi culture 300 B.C. – A.D. 300 Ancestors of the Japanese people Introduced farming to Japan Made pottery on a potter’s wheel Grew rice Skilled in metal working Iron – knives, axes Bronze - swords, spears, bells

7. The First Settlers (cont.) @ A.D. 300, the Yayoi organized into clans Clans – headed by small group of warriors Below the warriors - farmers, artisans, and servants Clan warrior chiefs protected people in return for a share of the yearly harvest. Chiefs were buried in large mounds filled with personal belongings

8. The First Settlers (cont.) Yamato Clan Creation myth @ A.D. 500, the Yamato brought Japan under it’s rule Chiefs claimed lineage to the sun goddess Right to rule Jimmu – founded a line of emperors in Japan that has never been broken.

9. Prince Shotoku’s Reforms A.D. 600, Shotoku took charge of Japan He wanted a strong government, like China He created a constitution It listed rules for working in the gov’t, and gave all power to the emperor The rules were taken from Confucian ideas He created a bureaucracy He sent officials to China to study

10. Prince Shotoku’s Reforms (cont.) Japan learned about Buddhism, Chinese art, medicine, and philosophy After Shotoku, other officials continued to use Chinese ideas. Ex. The Great Change Japan was divided into provinces run by officials who reported to the emperor. All land was under the emperor’s control.

11. What is Shinto? Early Japanese believed that all natural things are alive and have their own spirit. This idea is animism Nature spirits – kami Japanese honored the kami by worshipping in shrines These beliefs developed into the religion of Shinto.

12. Expository Writing Imagine you are visiting Japan sometime in the A.D. 300’s. Write a letter to a friend describing what you have observed and learned about the Shinto religion.

13. Shoguns and Samurai

14. Nara Japan A.D. 700’s – New capital at Nara Had Chinese characteristics The center of government and religion

15. Emperor’s Government Organized the officials into ranks Did not use examinations to hire officials Gave jobs to nobles Jobs could be inherited Emperor controlled land and crops Census – measured wealth

16. Buddhism Spreads in Japan Buddhism came from China through Korea Religion spread rapidly Non-Buddhist and Buddhist nobles fought to control the gov’t.

17. The Government Weakens A.D. 800’s – the emperor’s power declines Emperors were still children – had regents Regents refused to give up power Most regents were from the Fugiwara clan Nobles gained control of land Nobles paid no taxes Nobles collected taxes from peasants

18. Who were the Samurai? Warriors in private armies formed by the nobles Fought on horseback, wore armor Samurai means “one who serves” Bushido – code of conduct Loyalty – would rather die in battle than betray his lord. Seppuku

19. What is a Shogun? Powerful families fought each other (Taira/Minamoto) Minamoto won, emperor feared being replaced Minamoto named shogun (commander of the emperor’s military force) This create two gov’ts in Japan (emperor/shogun) Emperor had no power Shogunate – military gov’t

20. The Mongols Attack 1274 and 1281 – Mongols set to invade Japan They failed because typhoons destroyed fleet of ships Kamikaze – divine wind

21. The Daimyo Divide Japan After 1331, Japan divided into small territories Each territory was headed by a daimyo He ruled his land as a independent kingdom He created armies from the samurai Samurai became vassals and served their daimyo in return for land (feudalism)

22. Life in Medieval Japan

23. Japanese Religion Believed in Shinto and Buddhism Pure Land Buddhism – happy life after death Zen Buddhism – find inner peace through self-control and a simple way of life Martial arts – control bodies Meditation – inner peace

24. Japanese Culture Borrowed ideas from China and Korea Art – love of beauty and simplicity Used lacquer Origami Zen gardens Calligraphy Tanka Tale of Genji – first novel Noh plays

25. Japan’s Economy and Society Japan’s wealth – came from farming Grew rice, wheat, barley, millet Better irrigation = more crops Traded goods – weapons, armor, tools, pottery, paper, textiles, etc. Guilds were formed

26. The Role of Women Despite lack of freedom, women contributed to Japan’s culture Writers Artists Warriors