Japan Under the Shogun

1. Japan Under the Shogun Chapter 13

2. The 47 Ronin • Lord Asano • Lord Kira • Ronin • Seppuku

3. Samurai code and Japanese society • Attack on Lord Kira • Honourable behaviour has always been an important value in Japanese society • How are the actions of the people in this story affected by ideas of honour? • What other values are demonstrated? • “to understand the story of the 47 ronin is to understand Japan” • What do you think this means?

4. Tokugawa or Edo Period • Tokugawa/Edo period took place from 1600 to 1868 • This was a time of almost complete isolation • Prior to 1600 was a time of constant war • Powerful land owners (daimyo) competed with eachother for money and power • In 1600 this ended • How do think peace and stability was brought to Japan? • Answer: A strong leader

5. Unifying the land • Tokugawa Ieyasu became the first Shogun (ruler of Japan) • How? • There was a still and Emperor, but the Shogun had ALL the power • Shogun created a strong and stable government that would be ruled by his descendants for over 250 years

6. How did he do this? • Control the Daimyo (many of whom were his enemies) • Alternate Attendance: Every two years the Daimyo were forced to live in Edo. Their family members lived in Edo permanently. • Sharing power: Bakuhan System: two levels of government. Shogun had control over national issues, and the daimyo controlled local affairs • Strict Laws: Shogun controlled people’s lives, from marriage to dress All done to keep the Daimyo spending money so they could not rise up and challenge the shogun

7. In your journals • Read the Chart on the top page 286 and answer the question underneath it in your journals • Talk about with a partner

8. Feudal Society • During Tokugawa era Japan was a Feudal society • There were strict social classes • Membership in each class was hereditary • You could NOT move up classes • Strict rules governed each class • Example: rules of dress applied to everyone from the emperor to the peasants • Punishments were harsh

10. The Samurai

11. The Samurai • Respected warrior class • Only samurai could have swords • Were many classes within the Samurai, Ronin being the lowest • Collected taxes, acted as police • They lived simple and thrifty lives • But had great social privilege • Example: they could cut off the head of a commoner who insulted them! • 7 principles: Justice, Bravery, Compassion, Courtesy, Honesty, Loyalty, Honor.

12. Peasants • Were considered important because of all the food they produced • Very strict laws ruled how they lived every aspect of their life • Many were never allowed to leave their village

13. Artisans • Lived in cities and towns • Son of a painter had to be a painter, could not practice another type of art • They were seen as less important than peasants, because they didn’t produce anything

14. Merchants • Bought items from artisans and peasants to trade and sell • Merchants acted as bankers (using rice as money) • Were the lowest class

15. Outcasts: Not even in the heirarchy • Were ignored or shunned by all the classes because of their work • Butchers, leather tanners, those with leprosy • Very strict rules applied to these people • The Ainu were also separate from the social hierarchy • Japan’s indigenous population, were completed excluded from Japanese society, and still are in many ways

16. Women in Feudal Japan • The class women were born in to determined their role • Women in the samurai class had to prepare their sons to be samurai • Women in the peasant class had to work on the farm and raise the children • Overall, women were always seen as lower than men • Read page 293 and answer the questions

17. Harmonious Society • The social controls from the feudal society had a lasting affect on Japan • Control and Obedience are still the foundation for Japanese society

18. Confucius • Was a Chinese scholar who taught about morality and the right way to live • His teachings had a huge effect on Japan and China • Everyone had a proper place in society • If everyone accepted their place (duties) there would be peace and order • People should be modest and study hard • Lets look at page 296

19. First Contact With The West • 1500’s the Portugese arrived in southern Japan • Portuguese society: competition, the individual, flexible social structure • Japanese society: honour, respect, the group, strict social structure • Portuguese wanted to convert the Japanese to Christians • Japanese: Shinto (kami), Confucian code of correct behaviour and Buddhist self discipline • Christianity: One God • Page 302: answer the questions

21. Videos • Confucius