Japan

1
Japans Feudal Age

• During this period local rulers, either powerful
  families or military warlords, dominated the
  land, while the emperor was merely a figurehead
  and not a significant political presence.

2
Japanese Feudalism Emerges

• Due to a struggle for power within armies-a
  feudal system in Japan evolved
• Just like in medieval Europe-this system was
  dominated by the warrior aristocracy
• The emperor was the head of feudal society-more
  of a figurehead really.
• The real power belonged to the shogun, or supreme
  military commander.

3
Minamoto Yoritomo

• Appointed shogun in 1192
• Set up the Kamakura Shogunate
• This was the first of 3 military dynasties that
  would rule Japan for approx. 700 years

4
Feudalism

• Under the shoguns were warrior lords, called
  daimyo.
• Shoguns would distribute lands to them and they
  would supply men when needed.
• Under the daimyo were the samurai, meaning those
  who serve.
• Their code of values that emphasized honor,
  bravery, and absolute loyalty to their lord was
  called bushido.
• A true samurai would not fear death
• Seppuku-expected of samurai guilty of betrayal
  ritual suicide-better to die than to live without
  honor

5
Social Hierarchy

• Noble women trained in military arts
• Far below the Samurai lied the peasants,
  artisans, and merchants
• Peasants made up 75 of the population

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7
Mongols

• The Mongol quest of China and Korea also effected
  Japan
• The Mongols in 1274 under Kublai Khan began
  threatening Japan. However, a typhoon destroyed
  their fleet.
• Again, in 1281, the Mongols tried to take over
  and a typhoon wiped them away again.

8
Kamikaze

• The Japanese credited a kamikaze, or divine wind,
  for the miraculous aid the typhoons provided.
• They believed they were protected by the gods.

9
Order and Unity

• The Kamakura Shogunate eventually crumbled due
  to Mongol invasions
• Tokugawa Ieyasu eventually became the master of
  Japan and was named a shogun.
• Known for his extreme practices and law making.
• All the shoguns that followed him wanted to end
  feudal warfare.
• They created a unified, orderly society and put
  their capital in Edo (modern day Tokyo). They
  had a strict moral code and followed the bushido.

10
Kabuki

• A popular form of theater came about during this
  time called kabuki.
• The actors dressed in elaborate costumes and wore
  tons of make-up.
• They usually performed plays involving tales of
  honor and betrayal in feudal Japan.

11
Haiku

• A popular form of literature was a form of poetry
  called haiku.
• In three lines (5-7-5) the poet uses words to
  express a feeling, thought or idea.

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13
Assignment for Today!

• Read on page 526
• Write a haiku about Japans feudal age.
  Remember, the first line has 5 syllables, the
  second line has 7 syllables and the third line
  has 5 syllables.
• When you finish. Write it neatly with marker,
  title it, and put it on a piece of construction
  paper and illustrate it.