Feudal Japan
Chapter 12 Section 3
Main Ideas
• Investigate how the geography of Japan
influenced its development.
• Analyze how China influenced the early
development of Japan.
• Describe how changes in government
influenced society in feudal Japan.
Geography
Geography
Geography
Geography
• Made up of a string •
of thousands of
islands
• Found in western
Pacific Ocean, off
the east coast of
Asia
• Island chain stretch
•
nearly 1,400 miles
• Majority live on the
four largest islands
• Being islands offered
protection
Very mountainous
• Relatively small part can be used for
farming (15%)
• But, farmers able to produce great
deal of food
• Aided by rainfall, sunny days, long
growing season, many rivers
Nature not always kind to Japan
• Volcanoes, earthquakes, tidal waves,
typhoons often strike the islands
• However, did save them from the
Mongols
Religion
• Religion played an important role in helping Japanese culture form
• In early times:
• Believed in gods or nature spirits called Kami
• Believed spirits lived in natural objects
• Examples: sand, waterfalls, trees
• Many clans trace their origins to a particular kami
• Now called Shinto
• Means “way of the kami”
• Shinto has no established scripture or doctrine
• Involves prayers & rituals to please kami
• Shinto helped unify Japan under imperial rule
• Early emperors acted as Shinto priests
Shinto shrines are usually found
outside. Why?
Religion
• Buddhism is another religion in Japan
• Introduced in 552
• Came from China
• Did not replace Shinto, most Japanese believe in both
• Zen Buddhism
• Sect of Buddhism, popular in Japan starting in the 1100’s
• Zen means “meditation”
• Focus on self-discipline, simplicity, inner peace, & salvation
through enlightenment not faith
• Influenced art & culture
• Zen gardens, Noh & kabuki plays, haikus, tea ceremonies
Government in Feudal Japan
• The feudal system of Japan contained two general
sources of power:
• One was the central government
• Where important families influenced the
emperor
• One was a group of powerful local landowners
• They had their own warriors
Government in Feudal Japan
• At the top there is an emperor
(figure-head, no real power)
• Next a shogun (general)
• Had control of the military,
finances, & laws
• At the local level wealthy
landlords held power
• They hired warriors called
samurai for protection
Samurai
• Similar to European knights
• They were fiercely loyal to their lord & clan
• Followed a code of behavior called bushido
• Means “way of the warrior”
• Stressed bravery, loyalty, & honor
• If a samurai displeased their master or was defeated in
battle, they may practice seppuku
• Ceremonial suicide
• Way to avoid the dishonor that accompanied
defeat or disobedience
Daimyo
• The daimyo were the landowners
• “Great Names”
• Nobles
• Promoted trade & crop production
• They hired the samurai
• The daimyo & samurai became the most powerful
people in Japan
• Because of this the central government was ineffective
& warfare was common