EARLY JAPANESE HISTORY AND KINGDOMS

INTRODUCTION AND GEOGRAPHY OF JAPAN

Established in 1392

Founded by scholar-officials and military leaders

Implemented land reforms

■ Ruled Korea for over 500 years

EARLY JAPANESE SOCIETY AND YAMATO PERIOD

Clan-based system (uji)

Ruled by powerful families

Emperor as a symbolic leader

First centralized state in Japan

Yamato clan claimed divine descent

Emperor became the head of state

YAMATO GOVERNMENT AND RELIGION

Clan leaders served the emperor

Chinese-inspired court system

Power shared among aristocratic families

Shinto - native belief system

Focus on nature spirits (kami)

Buddhism introduced from Korea and China

NARA PERIOD

First permanent capital at Nara

Strong Chinese influence

■ Development of written laws and bureaucracy

HEIAN PERIOD AND THE RISE OF THE SAMURAI

Capital moved to Heian (Kyoto)

Flourishing of Japanese culture

Power of the Fujiwara family

Provincial warriors gained power

Decline of imperial authority

Military clans controlled land

KAMAKURA SHOGUNATE (1185–1333 CE)

First military government

Shogun held real political power

Emperor remained a figurehead

Feudal system

Samurai class dominated society

Peasants and artisans supported the economy