JAPAN RETURNS TO ISOLATION Ch 3 Sec 3

JAPAN RETURNS TO ISOLATION Ch. 3 Sec. 3

A NEW FEUDALISM UNDER STRONG LEADERS In 1467 Civil war shattered Japans original Feudalistic system. Country collapsed into utter chaos. Centralized rule ended Power left the Shogun and moved to territorial lords in hundreds of separate domains.

LOCAL LORDS RULE Violent era lasted in Japan from 1467 -1568 known as Sengoku or “warring states” Powerful samurai seized control of the old feudal states Offered protection to peasents for their loyalty These warrior chieftains called daimyo Under this new system security came from these warlords

The daimyo built fortified castles Created small armies of samurai on horses Later they added foot soldiers with muskets Often rival daimyo fought each other for power, territory, and resources

NEW LEADERS RESTORE ORDER Ambitious daimyo wanted to gather enough power to try and talk over the country. Oda Nobunaga- defeated his rivals and seized the imperial capital Kyoto in 1568 Sought to rule by force/example so he hunted down all his enemies and eliminated them one by one. This included all the rival daimyo as well as wealthy Buddhist aligned with them

In 1575 Nobunaga’s 3, 000 soldiers armed with muskets crushed the samurai warriors. This was the first time firearms have been used effectively in battle in Japan. But he was unable to unify Japan and was betrayed by 2 of his generals. He committed Seppuke(Ritual suicide)

One of Nobunaga’s best general, Toyotomi Hideyoshi continues his fallen leaders mission and set out to destroy daimyo that remained hostile. Will eventually die on this mission to kill off all those who opposed him and his army. One of his allies Tokugawa Ieyasu was the one who finally unified all of Japan.

Even though Japan was unified the daimyo still governed at the local level. Ieyasu to counter this he required the daimyo so pend one year every other year with him in the capital. When they left they had to leave their families behind as hostages!!! This actually was a major step towards centralization

LIFE IN TOKUGAWA After all this Japan enjoyed more than 2. 5 centuries of stability, prosperity, and isolation. People who propped up this society were wealthy, and merchants. Farmers produced more food and population rose but still were having to deal with heavy taxes.

SOCIETY IN TOKUGAWA JAPAN Society was very structured. The emperor was the top rank but more of a figurehead. Actual leader was the Shogun who was the supreme military commander. Below him were the Daimyo(Powerful land holding samurai) Below them were the Samurai warriors Peasants and artisans were next on the social ladder. Below them were the merchants.

CULTURE UNDER THE TOKUGAWA SHOGUNATE Samurai attended ceremonial noh dramas which were basically tragic plays. Hung photos in homes that showed themes from classic pieces of literature Read and wrote haiku’s (3 line verse poetry)

CONTACT BETWEEN EUROPE AND JAPAN Europeans come over during 16 th century during the warring states period. Generally were welcomed Portuguese were one of the first to visit. Sold and traded good for European goods (muskets and cannons)

THE CLOSED COUNTRY POLICY Japanese will persecute Christians. Not because they were Christians but because they were considered foreign ideas. Eventually withdrew from European ways and entered into a closed border policy Most all commercial(business) contacts with Europe ended This went on for nearly 200 years. Trade in the east basically gets closed off at this point so they turn WEST towards who? ? ? ?