FEUDAL
JAPAN
PART I:
EARLY
DEVELOPMENT
OF JAPAN
Geography of Japan
Japan is part of the
continent of Asia; Japan is
a series of islands near the
coasts of Korea and China
Similar to
Greece, Japan
was divided by
mountains and
had few areas
for farming
Before 400 CE, Japan was not a unified nation but was
ruled by hundreds of different family clans
Geography of Japan
Japan’s island location provided
protection from potential
Chinese and Mongol invasions…
…but Japan was
close enough to
borrow cultural
ideas from China
Japan’s isolation gave rise to a unique culture;
this culture produced the Shinto religion
Shinto is a polytheistic religion based on the
respect of nature and ancestor worship
Shinto is a polytheistic religion based on the
respect of nature and ancestor worship
Shinto worshippers believe in divine spirits
called kami that live in nature; they build
shrines devoted to nature called “torii”
Shinto worshippers believe in divine spirits
called kami that live in nature; they build
shrines devoted to nature called “torii”
Shinto worshippers believe in divine spirits
called kami that live in nature; they build
shrines devoted to nature called “torii”
Shinto worshippers believe in divine spirits
called kami that live in nature; they build
shrines devoted to nature called “torii”
The most
important
of the
Shinto gods
is the sun
goddess
who gave
light to the
world
Amaterasu: Sun Goddess
As Japan had more contact with Asia,
it adopted Chinese culture and ideas; some ideas
were adopted successfully, others were not
For example, Japan tried, but failed, to model the
Chinese examination system for government officials
Japan adopted the Chinese idea of an emperor and
rule by dynasties; the first Japanese emperor was said
to have descended from the sun goddess
Unlike China, Japanese
emperors often did not
have ultimate power
over the various clan
leaders; Japan often
had an emperor
figurehead who served
as a symbol of power
and clan rulers with
true power
Japan adopted Confucianism and blended Chinese
styles of writing, architecture, and art
Chinese writing Japanese writing
Which is Chinese and which is Japanese?
Japanese
landscape art
Chinese
landscape art
Which is Chinese and which is Japanese?
Chinese
architecture
Japanese
architecture
Which is Chinese and which is Japanese?
In the mid-700s, Buddhism was introduced
in Japan, spreading from China and Korea
This combination of
Buddhism and Shinto
is an excellent
example of religious
syncretism (mixing of
religious beliefs)
Buddhism was accepted
by Japanese emperors,
but in common
Japanese society, the
two religions, Buddhism
and Shinto, blended
This new religion was
called Zen Buddhism
Classical Japan during the Heian Period
■?
From the year 794 CE to the year 1185 CE, Japan
entered a classical era during the Heian Period
During this
time, the
imperial
government
was strong
and Japan
experienced
an era of
peace and
prosperity
As it was with
numerous other
societies during
times of peace
and stability,
Japan developed a
“golden age” in
poetry, art, and
literature during
the Heian Period
Classical Japan during the Heian Period
PART II:
JAPANESE
FEUDALISM
Japanese Feudalism
By the mid-1000s, the imperial government grew
weak, regional landowners gained power, and Japan
became lawless and dangerous
Japanese Feudalism
Outlaws
attacked
farmers and
pirates
attacked
the coast
Rival clans
competed
for power
and threw
Japan into a
series of
civil wars
As a result, Japan developed a feudal system
Japanese Feudalism
Farmers traded
land to strong
warlords called
daimyo, who
offered
protection in
exchange for land
Daimyo were
served by
loyal warriors
called
samurai
The emperor
had little real
power
Samurai warriors
lived by a code
called Bushido
which demanded
courage, loyalty,
sacrifice, fairness,
and honor
Samurai were highly
skilled swordsmen,
but also used horses
and guns (after the
arrival of Europeans
in Japan)
Japanese Feudalism
Samurai warriors
were usually relatives
or dependents of
daimyo, although
some were hired
warriors called
“Ronin”
Japanese Feudalism
The most powerful
daimyo was the
overall military leader
of Japan and held the
title of “Shogun”
■ Text
In 1192, the first
shogun was named
by the emperor
The emperor
remained in place,
but the shogun held
real power and ruled
as military dictator
Shoguns’ power varied
over time, but the
pattern of government
controlled by a shogun
lasted until 1867
Japanese Feudalism
Compare the cultures:
Based on these images, how were
Japanese and European feudal systems similar?
PART III:
THE
THREE UNIFIERS
OF JAPAN
From 1560 to 1600, three powerful
daimyo, known as the three unifiers,
began to restore order and unify Japan
Oda Nobunaga Toyotomi Hideyoshi Tokugawa Ieyasu
From 1560 to 1600, three powerful
daimyo, known as the three unifiers,
began to restore order and unify Japan
Oda Nobunaga Toyotomi Hideyoshi Tokugawa Ieyasu
In 1568, a brutal daimyo
named Oda Nobunaga
conquered the Japanese
capital of Kyoto
Oda seized power by force,
was the first to use guns
effectively, and eliminated
Buddhist rivals that refused to
accept rule by the emperor
By the time of his death in
1582, Japan was not unified
From 1560 to 1600, three powerful
daimyo, known as the three unifiers,
began to restore order and unify Japan
Oda Nobunaga Toyotomi Hideyoshi Tokugawa Ieyasu
Oda Nobunaga’s best general
was Toyotomi Hideyoshi who
took over after Oda’s death
Toyotomi was resourceful
and not ruthless like Oda;
he used political alliances,
adoption, and marriage to
gain power over the daimyo
By 1590, Toyotomi Hideyoshi
controlled most of Japan
and tried unsuccessfully to
conquer Korea
From 1560 to 1600, three powerful
daimyo, known as the three unifiers,
began to restore order and unify Japan
Oda Nobunaga Toyotomi Hideyoshi Tokugawa Ieyasu
After Toyotomi’s death in 1598,
one of his daimyo allies named
Tokugawa Ieyasu completed the
unification of Japan in 1600
In 1603, Tokugawa became shogun
of Japan, moved to capital to Edo
(later called Tokyo), and restored
government and order to Japan
Tokugawa ruled until 1615, but
he created a line of succession
called the Tokugawa Shogunate
that ruled Japan until 1867
THE TOKUGAWA
SHOGUNATE
Tokugawa Shogunate
For more than 250 years,
Tokugawa’s successors
ruled Japan as shoguns
During this time, Japan
benefited from peace; the
economy boomed and
became more commercial
European merchants
and missionaries first
arrived in Japan
in the mid-1500s
Tokugawa enjoyed trade with
Europeans and was fascinated
to learn about their military,
new technologies, and ideas
Tokugawa Shogunate
Between 1549 and 1600,
European missionaries
had converted 300,000
Japanese to Christianity
This upset Tokugawa
because the missionaries
ignored Japanese cultural
beliefs and laws
In 1612, Tokugawa
banned Christianity and
began ruthlessly
persecuting Christians
All Japanese were forced
to be faithful to Buddhism Execution of Christians
Tokugawa Shogunate
JAPANESE
ISOLATIONISM
Japanese Isolationism
Tokugawa
shoguns
decided to
exclude foreign
merchants and
missionaries
By 1639, Japan
adopted a
“closed country
policy” and
ended almost all
foreign contacts
Nagasaki Bay
Japan
Deshima
Dutch ships
One Japanese port at Deshima in
Nagasaki Bay remained open, but ONLY
to Dutch and Chinese merchants
Japanese isolation remained in place
for over 200 years until the 1850s
During this era of
isolation, Japan
had some
profitable trade,
but mainly
became self-
sufficient,
limited foreign
ideas, and
reduced Europe’s
ability to
colonize Japan

Feudal japan

  • 1.
  • 2.
  • 3.
    Geography of Japan Japanis part of the continent of Asia; Japan is a series of islands near the coasts of Korea and China
  • 4.
    Similar to Greece, Japan wasdivided by mountains and had few areas for farming
  • 5.
    Before 400 CE,Japan was not a unified nation but was ruled by hundreds of different family clans
  • 6.
    Geography of Japan Japan’sisland location provided protection from potential Chinese and Mongol invasions… …but Japan was close enough to borrow cultural ideas from China
  • 7.
    Japan’s isolation gaverise to a unique culture; this culture produced the Shinto religion
  • 8.
    Shinto is apolytheistic religion based on the respect of nature and ancestor worship
  • 9.
    Shinto is apolytheistic religion based on the respect of nature and ancestor worship
  • 10.
    Shinto worshippers believein divine spirits called kami that live in nature; they build shrines devoted to nature called “torii”
  • 11.
    Shinto worshippers believein divine spirits called kami that live in nature; they build shrines devoted to nature called “torii”
  • 12.
    Shinto worshippers believein divine spirits called kami that live in nature; they build shrines devoted to nature called “torii”
  • 13.
    Shinto worshippers believein divine spirits called kami that live in nature; they build shrines devoted to nature called “torii”
  • 14.
    The most important of the Shintogods is the sun goddess who gave light to the world Amaterasu: Sun Goddess
  • 15.
    As Japan hadmore contact with Asia, it adopted Chinese culture and ideas; some ideas were adopted successfully, others were not For example, Japan tried, but failed, to model the Chinese examination system for government officials
  • 16.
    Japan adopted theChinese idea of an emperor and rule by dynasties; the first Japanese emperor was said to have descended from the sun goddess Unlike China, Japanese emperors often did not have ultimate power over the various clan leaders; Japan often had an emperor figurehead who served as a symbol of power and clan rulers with true power
  • 17.
    Japan adopted Confucianismand blended Chinese styles of writing, architecture, and art
  • 18.
    Chinese writing Japanesewriting Which is Chinese and which is Japanese?
  • 19.
    Japanese landscape art Chinese landscape art Whichis Chinese and which is Japanese?
  • 20.
  • 21.
    In the mid-700s,Buddhism was introduced in Japan, spreading from China and Korea
  • 22.
    This combination of Buddhismand Shinto is an excellent example of religious syncretism (mixing of religious beliefs) Buddhism was accepted by Japanese emperors, but in common Japanese society, the two religions, Buddhism and Shinto, blended This new religion was called Zen Buddhism
  • 23.
    Classical Japan duringthe Heian Period ■? From the year 794 CE to the year 1185 CE, Japan entered a classical era during the Heian Period During this time, the imperial government was strong and Japan experienced an era of peace and prosperity
  • 24.
    As it waswith numerous other societies during times of peace and stability, Japan developed a “golden age” in poetry, art, and literature during the Heian Period Classical Japan during the Heian Period
  • 25.
  • 26.
    Japanese Feudalism By themid-1000s, the imperial government grew weak, regional landowners gained power, and Japan became lawless and dangerous
  • 27.
    Japanese Feudalism Outlaws attacked farmers and pirates attacked thecoast Rival clans competed for power and threw Japan into a series of civil wars As a result, Japan developed a feudal system
  • 28.
    Japanese Feudalism Farmers traded landto strong warlords called daimyo, who offered protection in exchange for land Daimyo were served by loyal warriors called samurai The emperor had little real power
  • 29.
    Samurai warriors lived bya code called Bushido which demanded courage, loyalty, sacrifice, fairness, and honor Samurai were highly skilled swordsmen, but also used horses and guns (after the arrival of Europeans in Japan) Japanese Feudalism
  • 30.
    Samurai warriors were usuallyrelatives or dependents of daimyo, although some were hired warriors called “Ronin” Japanese Feudalism The most powerful daimyo was the overall military leader of Japan and held the title of “Shogun”
  • 31.
    ■ Text In 1192,the first shogun was named by the emperor The emperor remained in place, but the shogun held real power and ruled as military dictator Shoguns’ power varied over time, but the pattern of government controlled by a shogun lasted until 1867 Japanese Feudalism
  • 32.
    Compare the cultures: Basedon these images, how were Japanese and European feudal systems similar?
  • 33.
  • 34.
    From 1560 to1600, three powerful daimyo, known as the three unifiers, began to restore order and unify Japan Oda Nobunaga Toyotomi Hideyoshi Tokugawa Ieyasu
  • 35.
    From 1560 to1600, three powerful daimyo, known as the three unifiers, began to restore order and unify Japan Oda Nobunaga Toyotomi Hideyoshi Tokugawa Ieyasu In 1568, a brutal daimyo named Oda Nobunaga conquered the Japanese capital of Kyoto Oda seized power by force, was the first to use guns effectively, and eliminated Buddhist rivals that refused to accept rule by the emperor By the time of his death in 1582, Japan was not unified
  • 36.
    From 1560 to1600, three powerful daimyo, known as the three unifiers, began to restore order and unify Japan Oda Nobunaga Toyotomi Hideyoshi Tokugawa Ieyasu Oda Nobunaga’s best general was Toyotomi Hideyoshi who took over after Oda’s death Toyotomi was resourceful and not ruthless like Oda; he used political alliances, adoption, and marriage to gain power over the daimyo By 1590, Toyotomi Hideyoshi controlled most of Japan and tried unsuccessfully to conquer Korea
  • 37.
    From 1560 to1600, three powerful daimyo, known as the three unifiers, began to restore order and unify Japan Oda Nobunaga Toyotomi Hideyoshi Tokugawa Ieyasu After Toyotomi’s death in 1598, one of his daimyo allies named Tokugawa Ieyasu completed the unification of Japan in 1600 In 1603, Tokugawa became shogun of Japan, moved to capital to Edo (later called Tokyo), and restored government and order to Japan Tokugawa ruled until 1615, but he created a line of succession called the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan until 1867
  • 38.
  • 39.
    Tokugawa Shogunate For morethan 250 years, Tokugawa’s successors ruled Japan as shoguns During this time, Japan benefited from peace; the economy boomed and became more commercial
  • 40.
    European merchants and missionariesfirst arrived in Japan in the mid-1500s Tokugawa enjoyed trade with Europeans and was fascinated to learn about their military, new technologies, and ideas Tokugawa Shogunate
  • 41.
    Between 1549 and1600, European missionaries had converted 300,000 Japanese to Christianity This upset Tokugawa because the missionaries ignored Japanese cultural beliefs and laws In 1612, Tokugawa banned Christianity and began ruthlessly persecuting Christians All Japanese were forced to be faithful to Buddhism Execution of Christians Tokugawa Shogunate
  • 42.
  • 43.
    Japanese Isolationism Tokugawa shoguns decided to excludeforeign merchants and missionaries By 1639, Japan adopted a “closed country policy” and ended almost all foreign contacts
  • 44.
    Nagasaki Bay Japan Deshima Dutch ships OneJapanese port at Deshima in Nagasaki Bay remained open, but ONLY to Dutch and Chinese merchants
  • 45.
    Japanese isolation remainedin place for over 200 years until the 1850s
  • 46.
    During this eraof isolation, Japan had some profitable trade, but mainly became self- sufficient, limited foreign ideas, and reduced Europe’s ability to colonize Japan