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Medieval Period in Japan

Medieval Period in Japan. Geography. Islands covered with rugged mountains Avoid invasion Develop a homogeneous culture Only 17% of land usable for farming. Life in Early Japan. Largely a farming society – rice Traded with Korea & China Women had a level of equality with men

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Medieval Period in Japan

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  1. Medieval Period in Japan

  2. Geography • Islands covered with rugged mountains • Avoid invasion • Develop a homogeneous culture • Only 17% of land usable for farming

  3. Life in Early Japan • Largely a farming society – rice • Traded with Korea & China • Women had a level of equality with men • Inheritance rights for women • Abandoned wives could divorce & remarry

  4. Dynastic Rule • Emperors were considered the descendent of the sun goddess. • Japanese history claims only one dynasty. • 660 BCE to 1945 CE (Over 2,500 years) • In reality, many ruling families came and went.

  5. Feudalism in Japan • Feudalism: a political and military system in which individuals receive land and protection in return for loyalty, military assistance, and other services.

  6. Samurai • “Those who serve” • Bushido – “Way of warrior” • Stressed bravery, loyalty, and honor • Had to experience great physical pain and hardship without complaining • Could not fear death • Seppuku – “Belly slicing” – a form of ceremonial suicide • Ronin – Samurai without a master • Ninja – Professional spies

  7. Miyamoto Musashi • Ronin • Undefeated dueler • Independent teacher • Wrote Book of Five Rings in 1643

  8. Book of Five Rings • Written in Japanese • Devoted to the art of war • Criticized empty showmanship and commercialization in martial arts • Aggressive and ruthless approach to military science

  9. Shogunate • Minamoto no Yoritomo • Created a centralized government called a shogunate • Shogunate: centralized government under a shogun (military ruler) not an emperor

  10. Japan and China • 1281 Kublai Khan (Yuan Dynasty in China) invaded with superior forces • Samurai meet them at the beach • Kamikaze – “Divine Wind”

  11. Sources of Traditional Japanese Culture • Literature • Haiku (5, 7, 5) Tea was very good my cup holds emptiness now where shall I put it? • Nō drama • Art • Nature themes dominated • Emotional response

  12. Van Gogh on Japanese Art “If we study Japanese Art, we see a man who is undoubtedly wise, philosophic and intelligent, who spends his time doing what? In studying the distance between the earth and moon? No. In studying Bismarck’s policy? No. He studies a single blade of grass."

  13. The Battles of Hogen and Heiji, Edo period (1615–1868), 17th centuryPair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, and gold on paper; Each 60 15/16 in. x 11 ft. 8 in. (154.8 x 355.6 cm)

  14. The Battles of Hogen and Heiji, Edo period (1615–1868), 17th centuryPair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, and gold on paper; Each 60 15/16 in. x 11 ft. 8 in. (154.8 x 355.6 cm)

  15. Details of The Battles of Hogen and Heiji

  16. Ink on silk • Ink is permanent. • There’s no correcting or repainting it. • Ink wash creates an atmospheric perspective in the background.

  17. Monochrome Monochrome –a color scheme that uses tints and shades ofone color. The Old Plum, Edo period (1615–1868), ca. 1645Attributed to Kano Sansetsu (Japanese, ca. 1589–1651)Four sliding door panels (fusuma); ink, color, gold leaf on paper; H. 68 3/4 in. (174.6 cm)

  18. In Search of the Pure Land: Religion in Early Japan • Shinto • Animistic • State doctrine linked to divinity belief about emperor and the sacredness of Japan • Buddhism, 6th century BCE • Jodo, Pure land • Zen

  19. Shinto • Ancient Japanese religion: “the way of the gods.” • Only worshipped in Japan. • Has no books or priests • Ancestors are seen as important. • Includes gods called Kami, meaning superior. • Kami promote fertility in crops and people

  20. Zen Buddhism • Zen • A different way to achieve enlightenment • Achieved through strong self-discipline, especially meditation • Koan riddles • Zen beliefs became part of samurai warrior’s code

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