Medieval Japan ESSENTIAL QUESTION How might religious beliefs

Medieval Japan ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How might religious beliefs affect society, culture, and politics?

TEKS and Objectives We will. . . (24 A) describe the changing roles of women, children, and families during major eras of world history (25 A) summarize the fundamental ideas and institutions of Eastern Civilizations that originated in China I will… • Describe the social and political structure of Japan during the Middle Ages

Geography of Japan • Mountainous archipelago (chain of many islands) • Only 11% of land can be farmed • Volcanic origin = fertile soil • Prone to earthquakes • Geographically isolated

First Japanese • Settled in Yamato Plain • Society made up of clans • Two social classes • Rulers • Rice farmers, artisans, and servants

Shōtoku Taishi • Yamato prince who unified clans against Chinese invasion • Sent representatives to China • Created a centralized government based on Chinese model • Limited power of aristocrats; enhanced emperor’s authority • Emperor portrayed as a divine figure • Land belonged to the state • Taxes paid directly to central government

The Nara Period and the Heian Period • The Nara Period • Emperor titled “Son of Heaven” • Weak government • Aristocrats kept taxes for themselves • The Heian Period • Emperor only ruled in name • Real power remained in hands of powerful families • Aristocrats took justice into their own hands

Samurai • Samurai: “those who serve”; Japanese warriors similar to the knights of medieval Europe • Hired by aristocrats • Protected the security and property of employers • Fought on horseback, wore helmet and armor, and carried a sword and bow • Bushido: “the way of the warrior”; the strict code by which Japanese samurai were supposed to live

The Kamakura Shogunate 11921333 • Japan experienced a series of civil wars • Minamoto Yoritomo • Defeated rivals and set up power near modern-day Tokyo • Japan’s first Shogun • Shogun: “general”; a powerful military leader in Japan • Emperor remained ruler in name only • Shogun exercised actual power

Mongol Attacks • Kublai Khan sent 23, 000 troops to invade Japan in 1274 • Mongol fleet sunk by a storm • Returned in 1281 with 150, 000 troops • Japanese forced them to retreat • Typhoon devastated Mongolian fleet • War strained political system

Role of Women • Had certain level of equality with men in early Japan • Guaranteed inheritance rights • Could divorce and remarry • Subordinate to men in later periods • Husband could divorce if she did not bear a son or if she committed adultery, talked too much, was jealous, or had a serious illness

Japanese Religion • Shinto: “the sacred way”; the Japanese state religion • Believe the Emperor is divine • Believe Japan is a sacred nation • Zen: a sect of Buddhism that became popular with Japanese aristocrats • Buddhist influence from China • Became part of the samurai’s code

The Emergence of Korea • Mountainous peninsula greatly influenced by China and Japan • Three kingdoms • Koguryo (north), Paekche (southwest), Silla (southeast) • Ruled by monarchies • Bitter rivals • Buddhism spread to and became official religion of all three

Silla • Kings adopted Buddhist names and built many temples • Became more allied with China • Monarchy turned to Confucianism • Gained control of the peninsula with support of the Tang • Assassination of king led to civil war

Koryo Dynasty • Arose in the north • Adopted Chinese political institutions • Remained in power for 100 years • Mongols seized northern part of Korea • Remained in power by accepting Mongol rule • Much suffering for Koreans • Peasants and artisans forced to build ships of invasion of Japan • Dynasty broke down after collapse of Mongol Empire

Journal Entry #11 How was the feudal system of Japan similar to the feudal system of Europe? Support your answer with at least three examples.

TEKS and Objectives We will. . . (24 A) describe the changing roles of women, children, and families during major eras of world history (25 A) summarize the fundamental ideas and institutions of Eastern Civilizations that originated in China I will… • Describe the social and political structure of Japan during the Middle Ages