Japanese Civilization

400 - 1868

Archipelago

collection of islands

Aristocracy

upper class that is wealthier then the rest of society

Calligraphy

form of elegant writing

Clan

group of families that share a common ancestor

Embassy

group of people who represent the country somewhere else

regent

person who rules when a monarch or emperor cant

ritual

formal series of acts always performed the some way of religious ceremony

Haiku

poem that is 17 syllables 5,7,5

Kabuki

japanese drama that involves costumes and makeup

Meditation

achieving inner peace and an enlightened realization of the divine aspect in each person

Noh

form of drama that grew out of Japanese Shinto rituals ofens retails well known folktales

Bushido

way of the warrior: strict code

Daimyo

class of landowning families in medieval Japan and rule samurai

Feudalism

political and social system where the vassal reserves protection from a lord in exchange for obedience and service.

Samurai

hired warrior in Japan

Shogun

military ruler in Japan

Shogunate

the rule by a shogun

Vassal

person who received land and protection from a lord for loyalty and service