Study Guide on Japan

Study Guide on Japan

1. Vocabulary

   • Shogun
     • The shogun was the real ruler of Japan.
   • Figurehead
     • A person that looks in charge but really isn't.
   • Emporer
     • Even though he was the highest on the social pyramid, he was a figurehead with no real say/power in government.
   • Daimyo
     • The daimyo were in charge of the samurai soldier, underneath the shogun in the social pyramid. They worked for the shoguns.
   • Samurai
     • Samurais are professional soldiers. They work for the daimyo and are underneath them in the socail pyramid.
   • Bushido
     • The code of conduct for the samurai to follow.
   • Ninja
     • Farmers or dishonored samurais who wanted to fight/stay alive.
   • Ninjitusu
     • The code of rules for the Ninjas. Made to oppose the Bushido.

2. The Samurai

   • The samurai's job was to first collect taxes. But they knew they could rule Japan so they made their own class.
   • The role of the samurai was to fight for his damiyo when he needed help. They were professional warriors to fight in the wars in Japan.
   • The samurai carried his katana, Tanto which is a dagger, and the Wakizashi, a medium length sword.
   • To become a samurai, you must go through physical and mental training. Physical - sword fighting, no weapon fighting, metal - meditation.
   • The closing of Japan caused to the decline of the samurai
     • Because Japan closed to outsiders, US threaten to cause war. Samurais relaized they must be more modern so they gave up their class and became a part of normal society and did jobs that peasants did such as farming etc.

3. Zen Buddhism & Shintosim

   • The Samurai used zen buddhism to clear their minds for battle and to obtain inner peace
   • Shintoism is the belief of have a spirit in every part of nature. Zen Buddhism focuses on simplicity, medtation, and focusing the mind.
   • Many cultural activities explained zen buddhism.

4. Ninjas

   • The ninja arrival came from samurais that were dishonored but didn't perform the suicide or they were farmers willing to fight!
   • Ninjas used farm weapons, samurais used real swords and daggers. Ninjas were taught to accomplish a mission no matter what, samurais believed in fair battles.
   • Ninjas would do espionage and sneak attacks, samurais believed in matched battles. Ninjas would wear camouflaged clothing for stealth, samurais wore bright amours to show his bravery and which side he is on.
   • Ninjitsu was the code of rules for the Ninja to follow. It was made to oppose the Samurai's Bushido.