dominated by the aristocratic fujiwara cla who controlled imperial authority thhrough mariage poltics
flourshing culture: classical japanese literature (Tale of Geniji) and visual arts at thier peak
centralized landholding which weaked as private property (known as shoen) which was exempt from taxation got bigger
provincinal leaders, like warrior families, gained local power as court appointed deputies
there were two major warrior clans
the Taira (Heike) and Minamoto (Genji) rose to be importance
both clans traced thier lineage to imperial ancestors; this gave them legitmacy
local miltary leader gained strengh as provincal governers became ineffective
a five year conflict between the two clans; sparked by disputes over imperial succession
culiminated in the battle dan-no-ura
naval conflict where taira were anhilated
The taira infant emperor Antoku drowned; symbolized the clans fall
Minamoto no Yorimoto became the first shogun in 1185
this marked rise of military rule
before early courts the kamakura Bakfu coexisted with the imperial goveremnt— knonw as dual polity
shogunate established three main adminstrtive branches
adminstrative
managed finacial affairs and land distribution
also known as mandokoro
judical office
resolved disputes; mainly over land
monochujo
samurai-dokoro
oversaw military vassals and security
austerity became important value which reflects samurai values
austerity: sterness or severity of manner or attitude
warriors rejected the opulence of the court
focused on discipline and loyalty
opulence: great wealth or luxirious
emperor go daigo restored imperial ruled ending the Kamakura Shogunate
Ashikaga Takauki
former supporter of Go-Daigo
betrated the emperor
established the ashika shogunate
based in kyoto
Ashikaga rulers immersed themselves into court lives
ashikaha lacked direct control over provinces relying on shugo daimyo
decentralized power structure led to conflicts
Onin war which started the sengoku period
the muromachi era saw an expaniding of zen insprited arts
no theater
ink painting
tea cermony
dervived from the the term suburau
suburau - to serve
early samurai were rural elites tasked with maintaining order/defending against bandits
importamt familes (taira and minamoto) rose by supporting provincal governors or military campaigns
Samurai evolved from estate managers to poltcal leaders
relied on martial skill, loyalty, miltary alliances for power, not a powerful lineage
samuari depended on stipends from land revenue
creates a patron based system
rewards include control over property, exemption from taxes, presitigous courts titles
samurai swore feality to a damiyo in exchange for land or protection
feality: loyalty to a person or group
damiyo: a land owning lord who acted as a land holder of shogun (de facto leader of japan)
samurai were required to provide military service
usually were on retainer for thier lords
tasked with maintaining order
served as judges, tax collecters
elite women in the heian era enjoyed independence
held property
inherited wealth
matriocal marriage custum allowed women to retain influence with thier natal familes
matriocal: marriage custim where husband goes to live with wifes communtity
natal: family a person was born and raised in
under warrior rule, primogeniture replaced equal inheritance, favoring male heirs
primogeniture: the right of succession belonging to the firstborn child
the mongols demanded japans submission
the mongols were led by Kublai Khan
when japan refused, the mongols launced two invasions from korea
first invasion
occured in 1274
the mongols superior tatics overwhelmed japanese defenders
a typhoon destroyed mongols fleets
second invasion
occured 1281
this was larger and more prepared
also stopped by a typhoon
strengthed through japans believed in divine protection
kamikaze - divine wind
finacial strain on the kamakura shonguate led to the decline
dealt with an issue of succesion with the ashika shonguate
dispute turned into widespread conflict
kyoto was devasted; city reduced to ashes
initated the sengoku jidai
sengoku jida a period of regional wars and shifiting alliances
emphasis on mediation, personal discipline, and enlightment through direct expierence
rejection of eleaborate ritual and dogma
mediation was known as zazen
zen focus on mental clairty and detachment resonated with samurai values of discipline and focus
zen teaching supported warrior ethos
includes readiness to face death
designed for cotemplation
abstract arrangements of rocks, sand and moss
example is ryoanji temple in kyotoi
monochrome styles
emphasized spotaneity and simplicity
key figures: sesshu
know for works like winter landscape
ritualistic performances exploring themes of impermance and redemption
developed a playright zeami and motokiyo
combines poetry, music and dance
warrior elites supported artist, poets and archietects
innovations include the constriction of zen temples, gardens and cultural centers
chronicles the genpei war and fall of the taira clan
themes of karma and impermance reflect budhist influences
development of bushido
focused on loyalty, honor, accpetance of death
reflected in literature, poetry and miltary strategy