Feudal Japan

Feudal Japan

Geography

Geographic Features of Japan

• 4 main islands- Kyushu, Shikoku, Honshu and Hokkaido.

• Volcanic islands that are hilly and rocky. Only 15% of land arable.

• Many harbors with 1700 miles of coastline.

• Earthquakes common due to volcanic nature of islands- part of “Ring of Fire.”

Religion

• Shinto- animistic religion. Emperor descended from sun god and thus divine

• Buddhism- arrived in 700s and became dominant due to its life after death message.

Mount Fujiyama

The People

• Mixture of people from Korea, China, Southeast Asia and Pacific islands.

• Light skinned, short and stocky.• Social structure was rigid: - Emperor and court - Samurai - Farmers and Fisherman - Artisans and Merchants

Family

• Father supreme authority- no member could marry, move or take a job without his blessing.

• Men authority over women

• Elders authority over young

• Small nuclear families• Adoption of boys

common practice

Oda Nobunaga 1568-1582

• First to try and unite all the islands of Japan under one rule. (Failed, but showed others the way)

• First to use muskets in battle in Japan (Tokugawa would later use to unite Japan but afterwards outlaw to prevent insurrection).

Bushido Code (Way of the Warrior)

There are seven virtues associated with the samurai bushido code:

• Gi - Rectitude

• Yu - Courage

• Jin - Benevolence

• Rei - Respect

• Makoto - Honesty

• Meiyo - Honor

• Chugi - Loyalty

Tokugawa Shogunate

Tokugawa Rule

• United Japan under rule of Shogun

• Removed foreign influence

• Outlawed Christianity

• Came to power using gunpowder but then outlawed it so it could not be used against them

• Used hostage system to control daimyo

Armor

Swords

Geisha

Haiku

• 17 syllables• 5-7-5 rule• Three Lines• Does not have to

rhyme“This snowy morning

That black crow I hate so much

But he is so beautiful!”

Matsuo Basho

Kabuki Theater

Fan Dancer