2. • What was the structure of early Japanese society?
• What role did Prince Shotoku play in Japanese history?

3. • In early Japan land
was valuable
• = power
• = influence
• = wealth
• Divided into clans –
each ruling clan
controlled portions of
the islands.
• Clans often fought for
land

4. • Emperor – Figure head – Not much power over Japan
• Organized around powerful clans led by a few powerful
nobles
• Nobles owned land
• Known by family name and individual name
• Most Japanese were commoners
• Lived in villages, fished, made some crafts
• Slaves
• Cooked, cleaned, or took care of nobles

5. • In the 400’s a powerful clan of central Japan established
itself as the most powerful clan
• Emperors were said to be descended from this clan
• Said to be descendants from the sun goddess
• Seen as divine or godlike
• Had very little power – Powerful clan leaders

6. • 593-622 – Prince Shotoku ruled Japan in the place of a
child emperor – a position called a regent
• HUGE FAN OF CHINA!
• Sent scholars to Japan to study Chinese society
• Welcomed skilled Chinese workers into Japan
• Had an embassy built in China
• Used Confucian principles for government
• Wrote the 17 Article Constitution
• Promoted belief in Buddhism

7. • Who held real power in early Japanese society?
• What was the most last effect of Shotoku’s reign?