Ancient Japan
I. Feudal System
A. a system of
trading loyalties
for protection
that began in the
12th century and
lasted until the
19th century.
II. Shogun
A. Japan’s supreme military leader. Commander of all the
Emperors army. For almost three hundred years, Japan's
shoguns maintained domestic peace while they isolated the
country from Western influence.
II. Daimyo
A. a powerful noble in
feudal Japan. These
lords controlled large
estates.
B. In samurai society, a warrior was expected
to give loyalty to his lord, or daimyo, and was
prepared to die in battle for his lord. This code
of behavior was known as “Bushido.” The
samurai was expected to defend the daimyo’s
castle from enemies, enforce laws, and help
collect taxes.
C. As a reward for loyalty, the samurai
expected rewards and protection from his
daimyo.
III. Samurai
A. warriors hired by daimyos to protect
their estates and the peasants who
worked the land.
B. The samurai was the military class of
Japan.
• The rigorous training of a samurai warrior began in
childhood. Samurai school was a unique combination of
physical training, Chinese studies, poetry and spiritual
discipline. The young warriors studied Kendo ("the Way
of the Sword"), the moral code of the samurai, and Zen
Buddhism. Samurai were expected to live according to
Bushido ("The Way of the Warrior"), a strict ethical
code influenced by Confucianism that stressed loyalty to
one's master, respect for one's superior, ethical behavior
in all aspects of life and complete self-discipline. Girls
also received martial arts training. Although most
samurai women did not fight on the battlefield, they
were prepared to defend their homes against invaders.
IV. Bushido
A. “The Way of the Warrior,” a code of
behavior requiring the samurai’s
unquestioning obedience and loyalty to his
lord.
B. Honor was more important than
wealth or life. The samurai would
never dishonor his lord.
C. Samurai believed it was their duty
to serve as examples of virtue to
lower classes.
D. Family, simple living, a disdain for
wealth, and reverence for Buddhism
and Shinto gods were highly regarded
by the samurai.
V. Mount Fuji
A. Largest and most important mountain of Japan
VI. Haiku
I. A haiku is a short poem that describes a special moment. Written in a very
direct manner, a haiku tells the who, what, where, and when of a given
moment as experienced through the five senses – sight, smell, sound,
touch, and taste. They have 17 syllables, in 3 lines, usually in a 5-7-5
pattern
Haikus:
Use the present tense;
Use concrete images;
Do not rhyme;
Have 17 syllables, usually in 3 lines, sometimes a 5-7-5 syllable pattern.
The fragrant orchid:
Into a butterfly’s wings
It breathes the incense
- Matsuo Basho (1664-94)
Playing in the snow:
Mom’s hot cocoa calls to me
Calls me by my name
- Samantha Morales, 9 yrs. old
Haiku – form of poetry originating in Japan;
Three lines – 5 syllables, 7 Syllables, 5 Syllables
eg:
Ancient Mount Fuji
With your cap of snow-like hair
On an old man’s head
Assignment
• If you were a Samurai what would
you look like?
– Students will sketch and color their
own Samurai Warrior.
– Students will create a Haiku of
describing their Samurai