This document provides a summary of ancient Japanese history and culture. It describes how Japan was initially populated by aboriginal peoples and influenced by Chinese culture. It then discusses the native Shinto religion, the Yamato clan who claimed descent from the sun goddess Amaterasu, and the selective borrowing of cultural practices from China. The document goes on to outline the development of feudalism in Japan under the shogunate system established by Minamoto Yorimoto in the 12th century, the rise of samurai warriors and their bushido code of honor.

1. A n c i e n t Japan
SJ
ho las Pioquinto,
Br. Jeffrey Nic
Feuda l Japan Hokkaido
Ear ly and
Honshu
Shikoku
Kyushu

2. Yayoi Culture in Japan
Han Dynasty in China
Early Ties with
C h i n a and Korea

3. Aborigines in Japan
Man Woman
Chief
Clan
A i n u Uji

4. The Relationship between hereditary rule and
ancestral worship became an important part of a
native religion - Shintoism
S h i n t o “The Way of the gods”

5. Simple religion based on
worship of the forces of nature...
Kami
spirits that are present in extraordinary people and things.
Inspires a feeling of awe and wonder
They worship waterfalls, sunset, rock formations
S h i n t o i s m Religion

6. AMATERASU Goddess of the Sun
her grandson descended to earth
and brought 3 things.
D e s c e n d a n t s o f t h e SUN

7. AMATERASU Goddess of the Sun
her grandson descended to earth
and brought 3 things.
D e s c e n d a n t s o f t h e SUN

8. AMATERASU Goddess of the Sun
her grandson descended to earth
and brought 3 things.
D e s c e n d a n t s o f t h e SUN

9. AMATERASU Goddess of the Sun
her grandson descended to earth
and brought 3 things.
D e s c e n d a n t s o f t h e SUN

10. AMATERASU Goddess of the Sun
her grandson descended to earth
and brought 3 things.
Bronze Mirror
D e s c e n d a n t s o f t h e SUN

11. AMATERASU Goddess of the Sun
her grandson descended to earth
and brought 3 things.
Bronze Mirror
Carved Jewel
D e s c e n d a n t s o f t h e SUN

12. AMATERASU Goddess of the Sun
her grandson descended to earth
and brought 3 things.
Bronze Mirror
Iron Sword
Carved Jewel
D e s c e n d a n t s o f t h e SUN

13. Yamato Clan - Descendants of Amaterasu
593 Empress Suiko chose her
nephew to rule as regent
Prince Shotoku
drafted the 17-Article Constitution
Ended the hereditary clans
Introduction of centralized government
based on Confucian principles
Adoption of Buddhism as state religion
Y a m a t o Clan

14. They rejected the idea of Mandate
of Heaven
Rejected China’s Examination System
Sons of nobles were admitted to university
S e l e c t i v e Borrowing

15. They rejected the idea of Mandate
of Heaven
because they can be overthrown
Rejected China’s Examination System
Sons of nobles were admitted to university
S e l e c t i v e Borrowing

16. They rejected the idea of Mandate
of Heaven
because they can be overthrown
Rejected China’s Examination System
because it opposed to their aristocratic rule
Sons of nobles were admitted to university
S e l e c t i v e Borrowing

17. Sent many missions to China, hoping to
learn about their laws and government...
Thousands of Japanese
students went to China to learn
about their civilization
P r i n c e Shotoku

18. Fujiwara 7th Century Opposition leader
TAIKA REFORM of 646
to model China’s political and economic institutions
End large landowning
established uniform tax system and measurement
Assigned military governor
Meant to copy the grandeur
of TANG DYNASTY
T a i k a Reform

19. Traditional Culture
remained
distinctively
Japanese
S E L E C T I V E Borrowing

20. 710 - The capital was NARA
794 The capital was moved to HEIAN (Kyoto)
Novels replaced poetry as the most popular form of literature
LADY MURASAKI
SHIKIBU The first novel ever1000 AD (Japan)
The Tale of Genji
written
The Classical age
o f HEIAN JAPAN

21. at the end of 11th Century the Heian Courts declined
LANDOWNDERS
They can collect taxes
Controlled productions-
got wealthy
Organized armies
for protections
P e r r e n i a l Problem

22. T i t l e Text

23. MINAMOTO FAMILY1185 AD
YORIMOTO
Established his government in Kamakura.
far from the influence of the imperial
court at Heian
J a p a n e s e FEUDALISM

24. YORIMOTO
The emperor gave Yorimoto the title:
SHOGUN
“Barbarian Subduing
General”
In theory, they ruled in the
name of the emperor but in practice, real authority
rested with the shogun
J a p a n e s e SHOGUNATE

25. To gain the loyalty of the
landlords Yorimoto
appointed powerful
lords as protector of the
provinces.
Moving from Civil Goverment to
Military Dictatorship
J a p a n e s e FEUDALISM

26. The lords estates were protected
by the SAMURAI
“Those who serve”
only them were allowed to wear
the two swords of the warriors
Samurai inherited their position as
warriors
Had the right to inherit land...
Rise of the SAMURAI

27. SAMURAI
BUSHIDO“The way of the warrior”
Called for the life of discipline and duty
1 They need to control their emotions
2 Loyalty to the lords
3 Loyalty was based on personal and moral
obligations rather than contract vassalage.
European feudalism
BUSHIDO

28. HONOR SAMURAI
If he was dishonored by capture or an
act of disloyalty to his lord, he would not hesitate
to commit:
SEPPUKU
HARA-KIRI “Belly-slitting”
thrusting a short knife into his abdomen then his friend
would cut off his head to complete the act of honor
S e p p u k u Hara-Kiri