FEUDAL JAPAN

1. FEUDALJAPAN • Jeffrey Penny • Jeanette Wetzel • Sarah Akram • Hailey Sebree • Elizabeth Roslonowski Period #5 Mr. Gronich 2/25/11

2. So….What is Feudalism? • Feudalism: is the social organization created by exchanging grants of land or fiefs in return for a formal oath for allegiance or promises of loyal service • The system of feudalism has been used not only in Japan but Germany, Western Europe and China • Feudalism usually results in weak government with highly powerful aristocratic lords or rulers. • Generally no central government

3. Vocabulary • Fujiwara: highly powerful Japanese aristocratic family in mid-9th century • Bushi(Bushido) :feudal Japanese warrior leaders who administered law; also the way of the warrior • Daimyo: loyal vassals • Samurai: mounted troops of Japanese warrior leaders • Zen Buddhism(Chan Buddhism): stressed the importance of meditation and the appreciation of natural and artistic beauty • Shinto: the way of the Gods (Kami-no-michi) • Seppuku: ritual suicide or disembowelment in Japan • Shoguns: military leaders of the bakufu • Gempei wars: occurred for five years from 1180 on Honshu between the Taira and Minamoto families(ended with the destruction of the Taira)

4. Background • Japan like Korea and Vietnam borrowed and copied many characteristics and ideas from china and feudal china • Was born after the fall and decline of Imperial decline • Ultimately was about the dominant control of families and no strong government • Lasted from 1185 to 1333 C.E. (approximately) • However, the emperor, courts and formal government was left intact, but as ceremonial figure heads • The bushi controlled many civil, military and judicial matters • The period was interrupted by the Mongol invasions

5. Social • Feudal Japan had much warfare • The civilization was highly militaristic • Military/loyalty values such as family alliances and ritualized combat blocked the growth of government(hence why aristocratic families became powerful) • Worst periods of internal conflict(civil wars) was in 17th century

6. Political • Once again, the feudalism system generated a weak central government • The political control rested in the hands of the “Shogun” or military leaders • Hadunsophisticated political systems • Regional leaders had armies of their own(loyalty) • Once again, rulers relied on loyalty and respect for power • “developed political values that embraced, most participants in the system” • Aristocratic lords controlled the mass of peasants

7. Religious • They practiced Zen Buddhism • Shinto and Japanese Buddhism was a single complex religion • Free religious freedom was granted • Participated in rituals and customs derived from religious traditions

8. Intellectual • Feudal Japan heavily borrowed ideas from Chinese culture • The society was divided into various classes • Was ruled by the Shogun, who were military leaders with absolute control • Most successful was the “Tokugawa” shogunate(1603-1868)

9. Technological • They had steel manufacturing • Mastered bronze and metalworking • Silk paintings • Produced Japanese paper • Discoveries in astronomy • Kept their handicraft making secret • Developed textile technology • Had wooden architecture • Woodworking tools

10. Economic • The feudalism was highly based on military • Developed textile technology and wood working • Lawyers or Japanese legal system emerged • However, they were successful in industrial development • They also were adept in running Capitalist economies

11. Conclusion/Key Facts • Feudal Japan emerged after Imperial Japan fell • Emperor’s and the courts were used as ceremonial figure heads during this era • Aristocratic Lords especially the Fujiwara were very dominant and possessed military control • *Feudal System • Loyalty of the Japanese to their lords contributed to the success of this era. • A period of civil war or eternal conflict also erupted

12. Questions?