Life in Feudal Japan The Choice of Isolation

Life in Feudal Japan

The Choice of Isolation • Whereas Japan encouraged the imitation of China earlier on, it would eventually isolate itself from all other countries • From the years 1641 -1853 Japan would complete cut itself off from the outside world • This would lead to Japan growing as a very unique independent nation

Harmonious… but not equal • Harmony was an extremely important component to Japanese society in the feudal era • While it was important for everyone to get a long and treat each other fairly, not all people were equal

Duties and Obligations • The moment people were born in Japan, they had a duty and obligation to others • Failure to comply to your duty or obligations was punishable by death and taken very seriously • Obligations that could be paid back were called giri

A Person’s Rank • Like China, Japan followed a strict ranking system in daily life v. Women were always inferior to men v. The young were inferior to the old v. The position of a person also determined their rank

Rank and Respect • In feudal Japan (and even today) when people would meet for the first time they would determine each others rank • The person of lower rank would always bow or prostrate • People of higher ranks were also able to control those of lower ranks

The Feudal Pyramid

The Lower Classes • Even amongst the peasants there was a ranking order based on occupation • People were forced to do what their parents did and could not choose their occupation • Unlike modern day Canada, moving up a social class was not possible

What Did They Eat? • Before the Heinian period, Japanese people were hunter gatherers and often lived off fish and even monkeys • However, with the influence of Buddhism in the 6 th century, the eating of meat was considered taboo in all Japan • In 675 Emperor Teemu banned the eating of cows, horses, dogs, and monkeys. Only deer and wild boars could be eaten for meat

What Did They Eat? • Because of this ban, rice became in important part of the Japanese diet • During the 9 th century, the Japanese were allowed once again to eat meat • Around the same time a form of sushi was brought to Japan from Indochina

Sushi • The type of sushi that was brought over, however, only contained rice to preserve the fish • Originally people would eat the fish and throw out the rice • This tradition changed during the Muromachi period in Japan when people began eating the rice and fish together • Modern sushi began to take form in the Edo Period