Global Japan Final
What is a benefit of the Feudal System in Japan? Explain.
Safety, self-sufficiency. Everyone has a role. Clear rules. Order
What is a drawback of the Feudal System in Japan? Explain
Decentralized system, could cause problems in the future. Rigid Social Class System.
What are you thinking or wondering about feudalism?
I am wondering how it affected trade and exposure to other countries.
Which position in Japanese feudal society wielded the most power?
the emperor because he was at the top of the hierarchy
the samurai because they provided defense
the daimyo because they owned large portions of the land
the shogun because he controlled the military
Tale of the 47 Ronin
Our tale begins in 1701, a time of relative peace during the Tokugawa Shogunate. The Shogun lived and ruled from Edo, while the Emperor, who had little political power, lived in Kyoto. To show respect to the Emperor, the Shogun sent gifts and envoys to Kyoto for the New Year's celebrations, and in return, the Emperor sent his own envoys to Edo in March. To receive the Imperial envoys, the Shogun appointed the young daimyo Asano, Lord of the Castle of Ako, to act as host during the forthcoming visit of a member of the Imperial Court in Kyoto. Because the daimyo was inexperienced in entertaining high born guests, the Shogun appointed an elderly high official named Kira to assist him. Kira, whom history describes as greedy and conceited, became very angry with Lord Asano for not presenting him with expensive gifts (to show appreciation, respect, etc.) and instead of helping Lord Asano became very abusive and insulting towards him. Kira, determined to get even, used every opportunity to publicly humiliate Asano. After two months of abuse, Asano's tolerance was gone. On March 14, unable to take the insults from Kira anymore, Lord Asano drew his sword (itself a capital offense when done inside Edo Castle) and struck Kira wounding him slightly. For his offense, The Shogun ordered Lord Asano to immediately commit seppuku (ritual suicide). Kira, on the other hand, received no punishment; in fact, he became an object of sympathy and was allowed to continue his official duties. |
Why? He lost his temper and showed emotion in the emperor’s castle |
The Shogun's failure to have Kira share in the responsibility angered the samurai of Asano,who felt that Kira's improper actions were ignored and Asano's punishment too harsh. By law, when a samurai lord committed seppuku, his castle was confiscated by the Shogun, his family was disinherited, and his 321 samurai retainers were ordered to disband, thus becoming ronin or masterless warriors. Asano's samurai were unsure of how to act in the wake of this disaster. Some thought they should refuse to turn over the castle to the Shogun, some thought they should plot revenge and kill Kira, and others thought they should respect the law and surrender peacefully. Oishi, Asano's Chief Councilor, listened to the varying opinions and finally decided on a plan. He would obey the request of Asano’s brother and leave the castle. But the ronin made plans to one day avenge their Lord Asano's disgrace by killing Kira, whose un-samurai like character had brought their lord and house to such a tragic end. Only this would restore Asano's rightful honor. The men split up to conceal their plans from Kira, who naturally suspected that Asano's ronin would try to get revenge against him. Oishi went to Yamashina, a suburb of Kyoto, where he earned a reputation as a drunken gambler, a ruse that successfully deceived the Shogun's police and Kira's many spies. For nearly two years the ronin waited, disguised as merchants, street vendors and even drunks to get information on Kira and to be close to him should an opportunity arise to storm Kira's mansion. Finally, Kira and his allies finally relaxed their suspicions of Oishi and his men. At a secret meeting, Oishi and the other ronin decided that the time had come to move against Kira. One by one Oishi and his men infiltrated Edo, and on a snowy winter night of December 14, 1702 the 47 ronin attacked the mansion of Kira while he was having a tea party. The 47 ronin divided into two bands and stormed the mansion from the front and rear gates. In the great battle that followed, the 47 ronin entered into battle against Kira's 61 armed guards. At the end of the 1 1/2 hour battle, Asano's ronin had either subdued or killed all of Kira's men without any losses of their own. After a thorough search, Kira was found hiding in an outhouse. The ronin brought Kira to the courtyard and offered him the same chance their Lord Asano was given to honorably commit seppuku. Kira could not commit seppuku, so the ronin beheaded him. Then, to symbolize the completion of their mission, the 47 returned to Asano's grave at Sengaku-ji Temple and set Kira's head before it, thus declaring their Lord's honor redeemed. Prepared to die for their deed, Oishi sent two delegates to the Shogun, informing him of what had been done and telling the official that they would be waiting at the Sengaku-ji Temple, awaiting orders from the Shogun. The Shogun, instead of being angry, was deeply impressed with the loyalty demonstrated by the 47 ronin. This made his decision all the more difficult. Although clearly sympathetic to their heroic act, he was nonetheless faced with a dilemma. Should he spare the 47 ronin in recognition of their great display of bushido and their defense of their Lord Asano's honor, or should they be punished according to the law. If he overlooked their crime for sentimental reasons would that belittle their honor and weaken the samurai code? |
ronin=masterless samurai Asano’s ronin beheaded Kira. They were avenging their lord’s death 2. What is the Shogun’s dilemma? Explain. Should he honor the ronin for being loyal or punish them for violating the code of bushido. He has the dilemma that the Asano men killed Kira because he was the reason for their masters death and so he doesn't know whether to punish them for breaking the law or is he shouldn't punish them because they were following the feudal system because they were being loyal to their daymio and protecting their daymio 3. What do you think the Shogun should do? Explain why. Order their deaths because they violated samurai values. |
|
After 47 days of deliberation, the Shogun ordered that Oishi and the other ronin were to execute themselves not as criminals but as honored warriors. On February 4, 1703, the ronin were divided into four groups and handed over to four different daimyo, who were ordered to supervise and witness their deaths. Oishi and the other ronin all committed seppuku simultaneously, dignifying themselves in their valiant sacrifice. Upon their deaths, the ronin were buried side by side next to their master Lord Asano at Sengaku-ji Temple. Today, the memory of the 47 ronin is celebrated in a play called Chusingura which moves the audience to tears and excitement as it develops the theme of the magnificent sacrifice of the 47 ronin. Additionally, each year thousands of Japanese visit the gravesite of the 46 ronin at Sengaku-ji Temple to pay homage to the honor and loyalty of the 47 ronin and their dedication to the code of bushido. |
4. What is meant by the quote “To know the 47 Ronin is to know Japan”?From the story what are some things that you could conclude about feudal Japanese culture and their values? Loyalty Land Honor Social Structure Patience |
Graves of 47 Ronin at Sengakuji Temple
Day 103
Japanese Rise and Immediate Impact of Absolutism
Part 1: #AbsoluteRuleTokugawaAll Powerful
Part 2: Isolation & Persecution Exploring the immediate impact of Absolutism on Japan Directions: Examine the documents and images and respond to the prompts that follow for A, B and C. Then write a thesis in part D. | |
It discourages interaction with outsiders because it is a large amount of islands so you have to travel long distances to trade, however it also did encourage them because they dont have many valuable natural resources so they have to get all these things by trading with other countries. | |
| |
European ships arrive in Japan with goods such as guns and clocks 1540’s | Missionaries are also on the ships. They convert many Japanese people to Christianity. 1540’s |
Shogun Iemitsu Tokugawa is not happy. 1600 | Missionaries face death 1635 |
See List three things you see in the images above about Japan’s interaction with “outsiders.”
| Think What do you think motivated how Japan responds to “outsiders?”
|
| |
1. What are the main messages in the Act of Seclusion? To the Europeans & Christians: To the Europeans, they aren’t welcome anymore and their spread of Christianity was not taken well by the Japanese. To the Japanese: You should stay in Japan and traveling to other lands will result in your death. 2 . What methods does the Tokugawa Shogun use to enforce these messages? Give 3 specific examples.
Death penalty Spies Restricted trade 3 Based on all of the documents above, how did Japan’s relationship with Europeans change under Absolutism? Japan’s relationship with Europeans changed while under absolutism because Europeans were no longer welcomed nor accepted on Japanese soil and the Shogun forced all people to have one point of view against the Europeans and there were penalties if you did not. | |
What was the impact of Absolutism on Japan? Consider who benefited and who was persecuted under the policy of Isolation. Claim: Absolutism negatively impacted Japan because they were restricted from practicing Christianity and trading with Europeans which hurt them socially and economically. | |
D104
Pax Tokugawa - Golden Age in Japan
Social Class | Impact of Absolute Rule and Isolation on each Social Class: Both positive and negative | ||
A.Daimyo | Didn’t pay taxes Forced to leave home-alternate attendance policy Borrowed $ from merchants
Still had high status but freedom and wealth was limited by the shogun | ||
B.Samurai | Preserved culture Poorer No war duties- new jobs in government Somewhat Got new jobs but could no longer fight | ||
C.Peasants & Artisans | Some saved and became rich Children got an education High taxes Could not have a house bigger than the samurai More money, didn’t need to worry about war and destruction of crops | ||
D.Merchants | Higher prices Trade in Japan developed Cities grew more prosperity | ||
E.Women | Traditional Peaceful Served husbands Mostly Samurai class women could get an education-Only 10% could read & write more peaceful but no more rights | ||
F. Children | Boys went to temple schools run by Buddhists No tuition Rural people could make sure the tax collectors didn’t cheat them More food food and education | ||
Part 6: Synthesis and Reflection: Edo Japan Overall, was it wise for the Tokugawa Shogunate to use his absolute power to institute a policy of isolation for Japan? What was the impact of his decision? Consider who benefited and who suffered from his decision. Directions: Complete the claim to answer the question. Then use 3 pieces of evidence to prove your claim based on our last 2 assignments. Use content specific vocabulary as part of your evidence. | |
|---|---|
Claim | It was wise for the Tokugawa Shogunate to use his absolute power to institute a policy of isolation for Japan because it cr eated a golden age with peace, prosperity, and arts in Japan without the distractions of the outside world |
Evidence #1 | Shogun Ieyasu - Act of Seclusion |
Evidence #2 | The Samurai had nothing to fight against and started to live more peaceful lives - they attended ceremonies and Kabuki theater They created calligraphy and poetry. |
Evidence #3 | merchants and peasants were able to become more educated and richer thanks to rice farming |