Ancient Japan Japan Geography Japan consists of four

Ancient Japan

Japan – Geography • Japan consists of four large islands and thousands of smaller ones • Kyushu (south) • Hokkaido (north) • Honshu (main) • Shikoku • Japan faces China & Korea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east • Japan is part of an archipelago • Japan has extreme climates • Snow in islands to the north • Tropics (almost) in islands to the south

Japan – Geography • Japan is a part of the Ring of Fire • Sits on a plate boundary • Volcanoes and earthquakes • Japan is mountainous • 20% is farmable • Most live on coast or few plains

Japan – Geography • • • First settlers likely came during the Ice Age (11, 000 years ago) • Land bridge – Korea (south) • Land bridge – Siberia (north) • Survived by hunting/fishing Another group arrived around 300 CE • New farming technique • - rice in irrigated fields Because of proximity – barrowed. . • China – writing system • Korea – Buddhism ********************

Japan – Religion Shinto • Native religion of Japan • Means “way of gods” • Each clan worshiped own kami (god/spirit) • Kami found in natural objects (trees) • People built shrines wherever felt the power of kami

Japan – Religion Shinto Myth (first emperor) • Sun Goddess and the Storm God (brother) • Each god supported a different clan who wanted to rule Japan • Sun Goddess won and her grandson Ninigi became ruler • She gave him three treasures: • • a bronze mirror (symbol of truth) • a sword (symbol of wisdom) • a curved jewel (symbol of kindness) Niningi passed symbols down to his grandson Jimmu who became first emperor in about 600 B. C.

Japan Religion Buddhism • Entered Japan in 552 from Korea • Many sects

Japan – Religion Pure Land Buddhism • Appealed to all classes • Most popular in Japan today • Centers around a bodhisattva known as Amida • • He ruled a paradise called Pure Land • Bodhisattva is enlightened being who choose to stay on earth and help others By placing trust in Amida and repeating his name, followers entered a paradise called Pure Land upon death

Japan – Religion Zen Buddhism • Came from China • Stressed meditation – clear mind to achieve spiritual development • Focus on self-control and discipline • Appealed to samurai class ******************

Japan Achievements The Tale of Genji • Considered to be the first novel in the world • It is about the romantic adventures of a prince named Genji • It was written by a woman named Murasaki Shikibu – she served the empress

Japan - Achievements v Yamato-e (scroll paintings) v Distinctly Japanese v Story is told as the scroll is unrolled v The story is told with pictures and sometimes words

Japan Achievements Noh drama • Serious and intense style of drama • Used colorful costumes, masks, chants, music, and dance Feature gods, warriors, beautiful women, mad people, ghosts, and devils • An evening of Noh drama would included several serious plays with funny skits in between •

Japan Achievements Kana • Around 900, Japanese simplified writing system • New set of symbols called kana • Each kana stood for one syllable ******************

Japan Politics First Emperor • Historians believe the first emperor appeared around A. D. 200 or 300 • Several clans competed/fought for land power • The Yamato clan gradually gained power over Japan

Japan Politics Yamato Clan • The Yamato clan gradually gained power over Japan • They would try to win another clans loyalty through marriage or warfare if necessary • They claimed to be descendants from the Sun Goddess • They believed they were living gods

Japan Politics Prince Shotoku • Took power in 593 • He was a regent – a person who governs in the name of a ruler (too young or unable to rule) • Goal was to unite Japan

Japan Politics Prince Shotoku • Goal was to unite Japan 1. 2. Bring Buddhism to Japan • Reduce power of clan leaders - people looked to clan leaders as Shinto priests • Having one faith would unite the country Bring Confucianism to Japan • Respect for family and social order • Prince Shotoku gave Japan it’s first constitution or plan of government • It was called the Constitution of Seventeen articles • Based on Buddhist and Confucian thought ******************

Japan Politics Reform • Prince Shotoku’s work carried on after his death in 622 • Taika Reform – means “great change” • Law that made everyone subject to the emperor • Lands and people controlled by the clans now belonged to the emperor

Japan Politics Reform • To carry out the reform, a new law code was issued to the entire country • Called the Taiho Code • Officially made the Yamato clan leader emperor • Included laws for the organization of local government • Defined crimes and punishments

Japan Politics Two New Capitals • Taika Reform also called for the building of a permanent capitol • The city of Nara was chosen and modeled after Chang’an in China • Buddha influence dominated the capital • Government officials felt threatened by wealth and power of Buddhist monks – moved the capital to Heian-kyo or Koyoto • Monks & monasteries were not allowed to follow

Japan Politics The Fujiwara Family • In the 800’s, the emperors power began to fade • Fujiwara family ran the country • The emperor was a “puppet” • Sisters or daughters would marry princes • Ruled for about 300 years & Japan was unified

Japan Politics The Shoguns • The Taira and Minamoto clans fought together and were able to drive the Fujiwara family from power • Over the years power shifted between the two clans

Japan Politics The Shoguns – Minamoto Yoritomo • In 1159, the Minamoto clan stormed the palace in Kyoto • In 1185, the two clans fought at sea • Minamoto Yoritomo was the winner and he took the title of Shogun – did not plan to give up the title • A new social order was developed **********************

Japan Economy Heian Period • Trade increased – economic growth • Towns sprang up • Along trade routes • As artisans created more goods for trading • Around monasteries • Artisans made goods and merchants bought and sold them • Trade increased with China • Exported • Swords • Pearls • Copper • Wood

Japan - Social What is feudalism? • Each daimyo relied on peasants to work the land. • In exchange for their labor, he provided protection. • The protection came in the form of samurai warriors • The daimyo would then give money or land to the samurai

Japan - Social v Emperor v Shogun v Daimyo v Samurai v Peasants/Merchants/Artisa ns A New Social Order • Life under Shoguns was lawless and violent • New social order developed

Japan - Social 1. Emperors (during Shoguns) • Had the highest rank, but held no real power

Japan - Social 2. Shoguns (during Shoguns) • Actual ruler of Japan • Highest military rank

Japan - Social 3. Daimyo (during Shoguns) • Large landowners who protected peasants in exchange for labor

Japan - Social 4. Samurai • Highly trained warriors • Trained fiercely, fought bravely, died with honor • Followed a code called the bushido • Bushido means “the way of the warrior”

Japan - Social 4. Samurai • • Personal Honor • Pride in how trained and fought • Pride in appearance (robe, armor, & horse) Loyalty to one’s lord • More important than family, religion, or emperor

Japan - Social 5. Peasants/Merchants/Artisans (during Shoguns) • Made up about three fourths of the population ************