Medieval Japan

“The Way of the Warrior”

Medieval Japan

Feudalism and the SamuraiLike Europe, Japan develops a feudal

systemNoble landowners give food or property to

samuraiSamurai – trained professional warriors

Only the most powerful samurai receive land

Most received payment in rice (food)Samurai are like knights

Wore armorSkilled with many weaponsFought on horseback

Japan’s Warrior Society

Samurai follow BushidoBushido means “the way of the warrior”Strict code of ethics:

CourageousHonorableObedientLOYAL

Samurai must protect lord; those who did not committed seppuku (ritual suicide)

Both men and women of Japan trained as samurai, but only men would go to war

Samurai – “those who serve”

Samurai lived very disciplined livesPracticed Zen Buddhism; a way of

focusing the mind through meditationWrote poetry in the form of haiku

Poem written with 3 lines and 17 syllables (pg 521)

Arranged Flowers; performed Tea Ceremonies

In the 1100s, Japan had no central authorityThe emperor had no real power

Local clan leaders fought for control of JapanThe most powerful clan leader would be named

shogun (“general”)Japan’s supreme military leader, ruled for

emperorThe shoguns ruled for nearly 700 years

Numerous local daimyo, powerful warlords who held large estates, battled for powerUsed peasants as foot soldiers; samurai on

horseBuilt large castles surrounded by walls & water

Rise of the Shoguns

Matsumoto Castle

Himeji Castle

Osaka Castle

By 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu (a powerful daimyo) had gained control of JapanUsed firearms (introduced by Portuguese)

to win decisive victoriesMost samurai refused to use guns and

were easily killed by superior firepowerUnder Tokugawa shoguns, Japan

experienced relative peace and stabilityAgricultural production roseThe population and cities grewEconomic activity increased“Five Highways” improved trade

The Tokugawa Shogunate

Japan’s Strict Feudal Structure

Title RoleEmperor Figurehead ruler

Shogun True ruling power

Daimyo Warlord landowners, owed loyalty to shogun

Samurai Warriors, served the daimyo

Peasants Farmers (80% of Japan’s population)

Artisans Made goods like armor and swords

Merchants Sold goods, not honored

Warrior Class

Prosperity brings contact and trade with the WestEuropean traders bring new ideas and

technologiesChristian missionaries change

Japanese societyJapanese become Christians; samurai

chant Christian prayers in battleThe Shogun began persecuting

Christians and killing missionariesBy 1615, shoguns cut off trade with all

Europeans except the Dutch; lasts 200 years

Relations with the West

Cities become centers of cultureArt – colorful woodblocks depicting scenes

of city life Literature – realistic stories and haiku

poemsTheater

Noh drama was slow moving; told stories using masks, stylized dance, and music

Kabuki – combine dance, song, music, dialogue, and pantomime with elaborate costumes and make-upTold stories of everyday life and historic

eventsWomen are banned; men play all roles

Feudal Culture

Kabuki – click pic!