Japanese History Lecture Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary, periods, events, and figures from Japanese history, from prehistoric times through the Edo/Tokugawa period, based on lecture notes.

Muromachi period

A period marking the beginning of the end of centralized power and the rise of feudalism in Japan.

Namboku-Cho

The period of the Northern and Southern Courts in Japan.

Onin War

A major civil war (1467-1477) that devastated Kyoto and led to the Sengoku Jidai.

Ashikaga Bakufu

The military government established by the Ashikaga clan during the Muromachi period.

Sengoku Jidai

The Warring States Period, a time of intense internal warfare following the Onin War.

Mappo

The 'degenerate age of the Buddha's law,' a concept prevalent during periods of unrest.

Gekokujo

A social phenomenon during the Sengoku Jidai where 'the low overcomes the high' or subordinates overthrew their superiors.

Nanban Boeki

Trade with 'Southern Barbarians,' referring to European traders who arrived in Japan during the Sengoku period.

Uesugi Kenshin

A powerful daimyo of the Sengoku period, known for his military prowess and rivalry with Takeda Shingen.

Takeda Shingen

A powerful daimyo of the Sengoku period, known for his military genius and rivalry with Uesugi Kenshin.

Oda Nobunaga

A powerful daimyo who initiated the unification of Japan during the late Sengoku period ('The Great Unifier').

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

A daimyo who continued Oda Nobunaga's efforts to unify Japan after his death.

Tokugawa Ieyasu

The founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1603 until 1868.

Nagashino

A pivotal battle in 1575 where Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated the Takeda clan using firearms.

Odawara

Site of a major siege (1590) won by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, leading to the subjugation of the Hojo clan.

Sekigahara

The decisive battle in 1600 that led to the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Edo/Tokugawa Period

An era of peace and insulation in Japan, marked by the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate (1603-1868).

Bakuhan

The feudal system of government during the Edo period, a combination of shogunate (bakufu) and domains (han).

Sakoku Rei

The 'Closed Country Edicts,' a series of decrees in the Edo period establishing Japanese isolationist foreign policy.

Sankin Kotai

The 'alternate attendance' system during the Edo period, requiring daimyo to spend every other year in Edo.

Buke Sho-Hatto

The 'Laws for the Warrior Households,' a series of edicts issued by the Tokugawa shogunate to control the daimyo and samurai.

Jomon period

Pre-historic Japanese period, known for its distinctive pottery.

Yayoi period

Pre-historic Japanese period, marked by the introduction of agriculture (rice cultivation) and metalworking.

Kofun period

Pre-historic Japanese period, named for the large burial mounds (kofun) of the ruling elite.

Asuka period

Beginning of traditional Japanese culture, marked by the introduction of Buddhism and Chinese influence.

Dogu

Figurines from the Jomon period, often associated with fertility rituals.

Dotaku

Bronze bells from the Yayoi period, likely used for rituals.

Shunju Kyo

A type of mirror, often associated with early Japanese periods.

Haniwa

Terracotta clay figures used as funerary objects during the Kofun period.

Kobetsu Shinbetsu

Categories used to classify powerful clans (uji) in early Japan.

Nara period

A period characterized by active importing of foreign culture, particularly from China, including governmental structures and Buddhism.

Shotoku Taishi

A regent and influential figure remembered for promoting Buddhism and adopting Chinese administrative practices during the Asuka period.

Taika Reform

A set of political and administrative reforms in 645 CE abolished ownership, new tax system, capital, and population register.

Soga clan

A powerful clan in the Asuka period that played a significant role in introducing and promoting Buddhism.

Uji

Powerful clans that dominated early Japanese society.

Be

Occupational groups or guilds in early Japan linked to specific crafts or services.

Jingi Kan

The Department of shrines, an administrative body overseeing traditional Shinto rites in early Japanese government.

Daijo Kan

The Department of State (Grand Council of State), the highest government body during the Nara and Heian periods.

Heian period

A period known for the domestication of imported culture and the highpoint of courtly life in Japan (794-1185).

Shoen

Private, untaxed estates that emerged during the Heian period, eroding central government authority.

Dokyo scandal

An incident involving a Buddhist monk, Dokyo, who gained significant influence at court, highlighting the importance of Buddhist clergy during the Heian period.

Fujiwara clan

A powerful aristocratic family that dominated the imperial court during much of the Heian period through regency.

Sessho

A regent for a child emperor, a position often held by the Fujiwara clan.

Kampaku

A regent for an adult emperor, chief advisor, a position often held by the Fujiwara clan.

Insei

Cloistered government, a system where retired emperors continued to exert political power from behind the scenes.

Shogun

A military commander(top general);the de facto ruler of Japan during the feudal period, holding power through a military government (bakufu).

Kageyushi

Audit officers sent to provinces to check on local administration during the Heian period.

Kirokusho

An archival or record-keeping office, possibly referring to a board or commission established in the Heian period to manage government documents.

Michizane

Sugawara no Michizane, a scholar, poet, and politician of the Heian period who was unjustly exiled and later deified.

Gempei War

A major civil war (1180-1185) fought between the Minamoto and Taira clans, establishing samurai rule.

Minamoto clan

A powerful warrior clan that emerged victorious in the Gempei War and established the Kamakura shogunate.

Taira clan

A powerful warrior clan that was defeated by the Minamoto in the Gempei War.

Yoshitsune

Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a brilliant general of the Minamoto clan during the Gempei War, brother of Yoritomo.

Yoritomo

Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder and first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate.

Benkei

Saito Musashibo Benkei, a legendary warrior monk who served Minamoto no Yoshitsune.

Ichi no Tani

A significant battle during the Gempei War where Minamoto forces achieved a decisive victory over the Taira.

Dan no Ura

The decisive naval battle that ended the Gempei War, leading to the utter defeat of the Taira clan.

Kamakura period

A period marking the evolution of Japan's warrior class and the dissolution of Imperial power, with the first samurai government.

Bakufu

A military government, specifically referring to the shogunate headquarters in feudal Japan.

Hojo regency

The powerful Hojo clan who effectively ruled as regents for the shoguns during much of the Kamakura period.

Mongol invasions

Two major attempts by the Mongol empire to invade Japan in 1274 and 1281, both ultimately repelled.

Genko War/Kemmu Restoration

A conflict (1331-1333) leading to the Kemmu Restoration, an attempt by Emperor Go-Daigo to reassert imperial rule, which ultimately failed.

Kusunoki Masashige

A prominent samurai who loyally served Emperor Go-Daigo during the Genko War and Kemmu Restoration.