Medieval Japan

Medieval Japan

1. Social Stucture

   • emperor and shogun
     • Daimyo and samurai
       • Farmers and fisherman
         • Artisans and craftspeople
           • merchants
     • Based on confucian belief

2. Creation myth

   • Can be defined by it's military government
   • Medieval Japan lasted from 12th-19th centuries
   • the emperor could not be overthrown
   • The emperor descends from two gods
   • The 6 islands of japan were formed by a god dipping his spear in the water and the drops created the islands

3. Time period

   • 1160AD-1868AD
   • jomon people
     • Evidence-cord pattern on pottery, stone tools, clay figures and remains of food
     • Archaelogical evidence suggest that people travelled to the islands from china

4. The Military

   • samurai served a daimyo
   • Supposed to follow bushido (code) for correct behavior
   • samurai meant 'those who served'
   • 7 virtues
     • Morality
     • Courage
     • respect
     • honor
     • honesty
     • loyalty
     • benevolence

5. belief system

   • zen buddhism
     • be a good person
     • respect others
     • all actions are important
     • teachers meditation are self discipline
   • shintoism
     • Be in harmony with nature
     • important to worship ancestors
     • Cleanse yourself of evil spirits
     • spirits live in nature
   • confucianism
     • wisdom
     • respect your ancestors
     • it shaped society by creating ways of which the children and peoples role was
     • Peace and harmony
     • kindness

6. tokugawa

   • 1603-1868
   • named after a ruling clan that was in power
   • it began by Tokugawa leyasu winning a battle of control for japan
   • it is also known as the Edo period
   • this time was one stability in society and government

7. Geography

   • East of China
   • Surrounded by sea
   • Fishing Cultre
   • an island nation isolated by others
   • Mountains cover most of the island

8. End of Isolation

   • Ended in 1853
     • Ended when Mathew Perry visited
       • he presented a letter to the shogun from the president asking if they could open up for tades
         • At first they said no but when Perry came back in 1854 with 8 warships and high technology
           • They signed the trade treaty the 'convention of Kangawa'
             • The reason that the shogun collapsed shortly after was because a unfair trade agreements