1. Feudal Japan

2. Background of Japan Japan's isolation as an island nation has been instrumental in its development as a culture. By 500 BCE it was still an undeveloped agrarian (farm based) culture without cities. Outside influences which led to cultural advancement included... Japan's isolation as an island nation has been instrumental in its development as a culture. By 500 BC it was still an undeveloped agrarian culture without cities. Outside influences which led to cultural advancement included (1) contacts with and importing of Chinese culture, especially in the areas of weaving, metals, art and government

3. Background of Japan cont . (1) contacts with and importing of Chinese culture , especially in the areas of weaving, metals, art and government , (2) the arrival in 200 CE of the Korean horse soldier , and (3) the arrival of Buddhism as a religious and philosophical system merging with native Shinto beliefs. Japan's isolation as an island nation has been instrumental in its development as a culture. By 500 BC it was still an undeveloped agrarian culture without cities. Outside influences which led to cultural advancement included (1) contacts with and importing of Chinese culture, especially in the areas of weaving, metals, art and government

4. Background of Japan By the ninth century CE, Japan had developed enough of a sense of its own character to isolate itself from outside influence and let its own culture take a natural course of development. Japan's isolation as an island nation has been instrumental in its development as a culture. By 500 BC it was still an undeveloped agrarian culture without cities. Outside influences which led to cultural advancement included (1) contacts with and importing of Chinese culture, especially in the areas of weaving, metals, art and government

5. Major Periods in Japanese History **denotes Feudal Period Jomon ca. 10,000 B.C. -- ca. 300 B.C. Yayoi ca. 300 B.C. -- ca. A.D. 300 Yamato ca. A.D. 300 -- A.D. 710 Nara 710 -- 794 Heian 794 -- 1185 Kamakura** 1185 -- 1333 Ashikaga or Muromachi ** 1333 -- 1568 Azuchi-Momoyama ** 1568 -- 1600 Tokugawa or Edo ** 1600 -- 1868 Meiji 1868 -- 1912 Taisho 1912 -- 1926 Showa 1926 --

6. Agricultural Society in Japan Japan has traditionally been a nation of farmers . Every square inch of plowable land was used, tucked between the ocean below and the mountains above. Early leaders would give land to the peasants in return for a share of the crops and a set period of time for military service.

7. Agricultural Society in Japan The military service evolved into a standing army, and leadership - the samurai class. These two classes were well respected for the value they gave to the Japanese culture.

8. Feudalism in Japan Bands of warriors engaged in struggles, formed leagues, and established hegemonies (dominance over other groups) and gradually great leaders appeared and fought for military control over even larger territories, up to one or more provinces . Japan's isolation as an island nation has been instrumental in its development as a culture. By 500 BC it was still an undeveloped agrarian culture without cities. Outside influences which led to cultural advancement included (1) contacts with and importing of Chinese culture, especially in the areas of weaving, metals, art and government

15. The Samurais wore protective helmets and armor and fought with two curved swords. Samurais, who came into power from 1000 to 1200 CE, put a great deal of value on honor and discipline.

16. Code of Ethics Samurai honored skills such as horsemanship and the ability to fight with a bow and arrow , but their value was placed on a much higher level, dealing with strong self-discipline, bravery, and total obedience and honor towards their lords .

18. Code of Ethics The Samurai’s code of chivalry, known as Bushido , or the "Way of the Warrior", was created in Japan using China’s concept of warriors known as "The Way of Horse and Bow".

19. Code of Ethics The philosophy behind Bushido is " freedom from fear ." This meant the samurai was not to fear any bout and to face death with honor. Bushido "gave [the samurai] the peace and power to serve his master faithfully and loyally and die if necessary "( Brief History of the Samurai ).

20. Role of Religion in Japan Shinto ("the way of the gods") is the indigenous faith of the Japanese people and as old as Japan herself. It remains Japan's major religion besides Buddhism. Shinto does not have a founder nor does it have sacred scriptures like the sutras or the bible.

21. Role of Religion in Japan Shinto gods" are called kami . They are sacred spirits which take the form of things and concepts important to life, such as wind, rain, mountains, trees, rivers and fertility. Humans become kami after they die and are revered by their families as ancestral kami.

22. Role of Religion in Japan In contrast to Christianity, there is no absolute right and wrong, and nobody is perfect. Shinto is an optimistic faith, as humans are thought to be fundamentally good , and evil is believed to be caused by evil spirits . The purpose of Shinto rituals is to keep away evil spirits.

23. Role of Religion in Japan The introduction of Buddhism in the 6 th century was followed by a few initial conflicts, however, the two religions were soon able to co-exist harmoniously and even complement each other.

24. Role of Religion in Japan Buddhism was imported to Japan via China and Korea in the form of a present from the friendly Korean kingdom of Kudara (Paikche) in the 6 th century. While Buddhism was welcomed by the ruling nobles as Japan's new state religion, it did not initially spread among the common people due to its complex theories.

25. Role of Religion in Japan The great philosopher Confucius (Kong Fu Zi) lived in China from 551 to 479 BCE. According to early Japanese writings, it was introduced to Japan via Korea in the year 285 CE. Some of the most important Confucian principles are humanity, loyalty, morality and consideration on an individual and political level.

26. Further Reading