rise of the shogun.pdf
The Rise Of The Shogun
(The Hein Period - 794-1185)
While Europe was carrying out the first
Crusades, Japan was undergoing a cultural
Renaissance. In 794 AD, emperor Kammu
had moved the Japanese capital to Kyoto
(literally, "capital city". Originally, it was named
"Heiankyo"). This move was apparently an
attempt to reduce the Buddhist influence on
the court by moving to a new city far from
the influence of the powerful Buddhist monks.
Whatever its reasons, this move is generally
considered the start of the Heian ("peace")
period, considered a golden age in
Japanese culture and society. The art, poetry
and literature of the Heian period is still
praised by Japanese scholars.This period of
peace lasted almost 400years.
In time, the imperial court of Japan’s
emperor became too big to manage. As a
result, some government officials were
released from their obligations to the
emperor. Some of them went on to become
managers of Japan’s various provinces. They
sold the crops they grew, and collected
taxes; many became wealthy and powerful
people. New clans formed around these
ruling families, and conflicts broke out
among them. These civil wars would see the
rise of shoguns that would go on to control
Japan.
The Kamakura Shogunate
It was during the early 11th century that the
powerful Daimyos with their warriors of Han,
controlled the politics of Japan. In that period
two other powerful families, Minamoto and
Taira, fought heavily for the control of the
Imperial courts. Though the Taira family won
and controlled the provinces in between 1160
to 1185, it was in the Battle of Dan-no-Ura that
Minamoto no Yoritomo seized the power from
the Government and the Daimyo aristocrats.
Minamoto established the first feudal system
and based it in Kamakura far to the east of the
Emperor's capital in Kyoto, near present-day
Tokyo. He gave some powers to the Samurai
and some to the military as well. It was then the
Emperor of Japan and the Daimyo aristocrats
became the de jure rulers for the first time. The
military general title, Sei-i-Taishogun was also
awarded to him.
Hierarchy In Feudal Japan
Society was divided into two classes in Feudal
Japan, the nobility and the peasants.
Emperor and Shogun
The Emperor and the Shogun were the highest
ranking nobles. During Japan's feudal period the
Shogun held the most power while the Emperor
was more of a puppet figure with little actual
power.
Daimyo
Daimyo were powerful warlords and the most
powerful rulers under the Shogun from the 10th
century to the early 19th century. Within their
province the Daimyo had complete military and
economic power. Daimyo had vast hereditary
land holdings and armies to protect the land and
its workers.
Samurai
Samurai worked under Daimyo, but they had
additional privileges and held a higher social
status than common people. These privileges
included being able to have a surname, a family
crest, and carry two swords. People with Samurai
family names are still treated with great respect in
Japan today. Although most samurai were not
well educated, they had a strict code of honor or
the "way of the warrior", known as bushido in
Japanese. Women were allowed to serve as
samurai but always served under a male leader.
Peasants
Peasants were divided into several sub-classes.
The highest ranking of the peasants were farmers.
Farmers who owned their own land ranked higher
than farmers who did not. Craftsmen, or artisans,
were the second highest ranking after the
farmers. They worked with wood and metal and
some became well-known as expert Samura
sword makers. Merchants were the lowest ranking
because it was felt they made their living off of
other people's work.
Questions And Research
1.
Copy the diagram of the Feudal Hierarchy in Japan into your workbooks.
2.
Why did emperor Kammu move the capital to Kyoto?
3.
Why was the Hien Period concidered the “golden age of Japanese culture”?
4.
Why did “civil wars” break out in Japan?
5.
What two families fought for control of much of Japan in the 11th century?
6.
How many classes were outlined in Feudal Japan?
7.
Why were the merchants considered the lowest of the classes?