Feudal Japan Notes

Feudal Japan

Warm Up

  • Japan had a feudalistic system, similar to Western Europe.
  • The extent of similarity or difference between the Japanese and Western European systems of feudalism should be predicted.

Agenda

  • Warm-up activity to start the class.
  • Discussion on feudal Japan.
  • Activity: Feudal Japan Haikus.
  • Wrap up of the lesson.

Feudalism in Japan (1100s - 1800s CE)

  • Decentralized political power without a centralized bureaucracy.
  • Aristocracy (daimyo) held significant power, comparatively more than nobles in Europe.
  • Frequent conflicts occurred as daimyo and their samurai battled for control of land.
  • The majority of the population worked as rice farmers.

Shogun and Emperor

  • Emperor:
    • Held a largely symbolic and cultural role.
    • Believed to be descended from a sun goddess.
  • Shogun:
    • Military ruler who controlled both the government and the military.
    • Defended the country and maintained order by suppressing rebellions.
    • Made laws and policies for the government.
    • Collected taxes, usually in the form of rice or goods rather than money.

Factors Contributing to the Longevity of Feudalism in Japan

  • Geographic Isolation:
    • Shielded Japan from large-scale invasions.
    • Reduced the influence of external ideas, systems, and transformations that might have disrupted feudal structures (e.g., urban growth, Black Death).
  • Delayed Political Centralization:
    • Real power was held by the shogunate & daimyo until 1868, despite the presence of an emperor.
    • Centralization in Europe occurred after events such as the Hundred Years’ War and the rise of nation-states (e.g., France & England).
  • Confucian Ideals:
    • Emphasized hierarchy, loyalty, and social order, reinforcing feudalism.
    • In Europe, the Enlightenment and humanist movements questioned hierarchies.

Japan's Relationship with China

  • Early Japan, before its relationship with China, was a tribal, agrarian society with local traditions (e.g., Shinto) and without writing.
  • Japan was never fully invaded or conquered by China due to the distance of 100 miles and separation by the ocean.
  • Japan voluntarily borrowed aspects of Chinese culture rather than being forced to assimilate through military and political threats.

Feudal Japan Reading & Haikus

  • Topics for reading and haikus:
    1. The environment, geography, & agriculture.
    2. Social hierarchies & the economy.
    3. Politics & the rise of the Shogunate.
  • Instructions: Write one or two haikus for each topic, expressing the reading’s main ideas.

Haiku Examples

  • An old silent pond… A frog jumps into the pond, Splash! Silence again.
    • Matsuo Basho
  • I write, erase, rewrite Erase again, and then A poppy blooms.
    • Katsushika Hokusai

Wrap Up

  • Lesson Aim: Understand what life was like in feudal Japan.
  • Homework: Complete the Feudalism in Japan classwork by Wednesday.
  • Extension: Write Japanese Haikus.
  • Next Lesson: Discuss the rules the samurai followed.