FEUDAL JAPAN Geography of Japan Made up of

FEUDAL JAPAN

Geography of Japan • Made up of 4, 000 islands – archipelago – over 1, 200 miles • 4 large islands – Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, & Kyushu • Advantages – Mild Climate & Rainfall – Protected from invasion – Close enough for diffusion • Disadvantages – Mountainous, scare resources, typhoons, earthquakes, & tidal waves

Early Japan • Controlled by hundreds of clans, who worshipped own gods • Customs formed Shinto – “way of the gods” – Respect for nature & ancestors – Kami – divine spirits of nature • 400 s – Yamato gain upper hand • Dual Government – 2 emperors – Figurehead & ruling power

Japanese Culture • Buddhism – From Korea – Japanese mix Shinto rituals with Buddhist teachings • Borrowed ideas from China – Adopt Chinese system of writing, art, & living – Attempt to about strong central government • A mixed tradition of Japanese & Chinese • Late 9 th Century – cut ties with Tang China (decline)

Heian Period • Late 700 s – capital moved to Heian (Kyoto) – Nobles form a court society • Life dictated by strict rules & rituals • Strong effort to teach poetry & painting – The Tale of Genji – World’s 1 st Novel

Feudal Decline • Landowners & Clan leaders weaken government’s power • Clans create private armies = lawless countryside & danger • Raiders & pirates control the land & seas • Lords create bodyguards, or samurai • Samurai follow code of Bushido – Reckless courage, piety, fairness, etc

Kamakura Shogunate • Late-1100 s – clans fight for power – Minamoto win • 1192: Leader Yoritomo named shogun, or military dictator • Establishes Kamakura Shogunate – lasts until 1868 • Defeat 2 invasions by Kublai Khan, but lose prestige • Samurai attach to local leaders = bitter warfare

Samurai Boarding Mongol Ships