Eli+and+Sonia+Japanese+Feudalism+Project

=**Japanese Feudalism** (1185-1865) =

**Location**
The feudal empire of Japan was located in Japan, near the coasts of North and South Korea, China and Russia in the North Pacific Ocean.

Feudal Japan (showing division of states- known as **Shoens**): 

Current Japan: media type="custom" key="12140740"

The empire's headquarters moved several times with the changing of the shoguns and their shogunates. Each time the shogunate moved, the capital was moved to this area, which was the home of the new shogun and his administration.

**Origins**
In the 800s A.D., around the same time feudalism was going on in Europe, the **centralized political system** in Japan began to **decline** and a system of **localized power** developed in it's place. Around 900 A.D., the Fujiwara family took hold of power, marrying into royalty and taking control of most important government offices, which began the decline of the true power held by the emperor and rise of power of his chief officers. The **feudal era officially began with a civil war** between the Taira and Minamoto clan, both fighting for the power the Fijiwara family held over the emperor. This political gave the local landowners a chance to rise to power regionally and take control of the lower classes. In years following, the Minamoto clan won, and the first **shogun**, Minamoto Yoritomo rose to power. The beginnings of this new system of ruling consisted of two conflicting sources of power;

a. **The emperor**- the important family that continued to hold power, but was beginning to hold the role of a figurehead as opposed to a ruler with influence.

b. **Powerful local landowners**- established power in different regions of the empire and created a class of warriors that they held rule over. The warriors, in turn, protected them.

And new from before: c. **Shogun**- titled “Chief Military Officer” who controlled finance, law, courts, and appointments to office, but at this time was still working for the empire. This changed as time went on; see more under "Social Structure".



Influence from China:
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Before Japanese feudalism officially started, the empire was **trading with China** and was **greatly influenced** by them. Rulers wanted to **model Japanese society after Chinese society**, and had Chinese influences in art, literature, technology, architecture, furniture and clothing.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">However, they **did not agree with all of the Chinese ideas**. Rulers attempted to model the government after the Chinese model, but were unable to because the system disagreed with traditional ideas.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Traditionally in Japanese culture, **a person’s position in society is inherited**. The Japanese could not accept the Confucian idea of all classes having access to jobs, and instead hereditary nobles held government positions instead of qualified scholars.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">These ideas coupled with the idea of **ancestry holding more importance of merit** is a large part of **the roots of feudal Japan.**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em;">Rise to Power
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> When the daimyo Tokuwaga rose to power as shogun, and then kept the Tokuwaga family in power for over 200 years, his good leadership and organization strengthened the Feudalistic empire, assuring that this system of government would stay stable for a long time to come. He made his son the next shogun to eliminate any chance of fighting for the position of next shogun after he died, and formed political unity by making other daimyos help him administer any important local duties and stressing order and control. He did this by maintaining both a secret and public police force, the former known as the **metsuke**. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Around 1649, a Rebellion against Catholicism occurred. This caused a sense of fear of foreigners and a threat to national peace, therefore the Tokuwaga shogun closed their borders to any outside trade. this allowed them to control and monitor all trade occurring within the country, putting a damper on technological, cultural, and social advancement, but also allowed the shogun and his daimyos to maintain strict control over their country, keeping it organized and mostly without threat from outside forces. Thus they did not conquer any territory but were also not attacked. The lack of outside influence also allowed a uniquely Japanese culture and way of life to develop, and internal trade flourished.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Economic System**
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Although **during the feudal era the Japanese did not trade with other countries**, there was **considerable economic growth** within the empire. The Daimyos encouraged peasants to grow more crops, because they were allowed to keep their crops, but had to pay taxes on them to their local daimyos. Therefore a larger yield meant more taxes which meant more money. It was common for smaller landowners to join together and put pressure on the daimyo in order to gain control of the local government, and were sometimes successful, thereby giving those in lower classes some power in keeping taxes from rising.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">All trade was taxed, and the **money was then used to finance wars and military campaigns.** Therefore, **trade was promoted nationally**. Also, in the beginning, the instability of the centralized government allowed those with a lower status another chance to rise in society, since any man who could use a sword could join the army, and therefore gain status (and money, and a more honorable job) as a samurai.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Social Structure**
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Japanese feudalism was **tiered** similarly to European feudalism. This system developed over generations of warfare, and its **hierarchy** reflects this history.

Emperor

 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">The head of Japanese society
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">No **political power, more like a figurehead**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Only headed religious duties

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Shogun

 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Key political leader and the most powerful samurai**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Ruled from **shogunate**- the center of the centralized portion of government
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Had full control of courts and government
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Had the ability to give land to lesser samurai in exchange for:
 * Military service
 * Absolute loyalty

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Daimyo

 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Class of powerful, but technically lesser than Shogun, samurai
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">In reality the most powerful people in Japan at the time- control of local justice and taxes within //shoens//
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Ruling/Aristocratic class**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Had a tendency to fight amongst themselves with their armies
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Educated

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Peasants

 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Made up 90% of the population**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Also made up of artisans and merchants but:
 * Merchants were ranked lower than peasants
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Farmed land for samurai
 * Also served as foot soldiers
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Common people who were the backbone of feudal Japan.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">media type="youtube" key="aZ4k4dtRgPw" height="315" width="420"
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Video explaining the social structure of Feudal Japan: **

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Way of the Warrior:**
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">The samurai had a code of conduct, much like **chivalry** in feudal Europe, which was called **bushido**. It **stressed loyalty** to ones daimyo and shogun, and unquestionable obedience to their rulers, making them fiercely devoted to their clan and daimyo. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Any violation of this code, such as losing in battle or displeasing his lord, was a great **disgrace** to himself and to his family. The only way to remove this disgrace was to commit **seppuku,** the ancient **ritual suicide.**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Role of Women:**
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">During the feudal period of Japan, women had **much less freedom** than earlier times. Samurai wives were expected to **endure** any and all hardships **without complaint**.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Women expected to show same **loyalty to husbands** as their **husbands showed to their daimyo.** They also had to **manage the household** physically and financially and even, on occasion, defend the household using a various array of small weaponry.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Religion**:
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Religion in Japan changed and evolved over the long feudal period. The religions were Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, and Shintoism. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Buddhism was the standard national religion and was practiced fervently throughout the land. Zen Buddhism is a sect of Buddhism, with slightly different practices, and later became Taoism in China. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Shintoism is called the "way of the Gods" and is native to Japan. It was prevalent even before the feudal period, and stresses oneness with kami, the spirit Gods, and mythology. There are only two unforgivable sins in Shintoism, theft and cowardice, which is a reflection of the rigidness of feudal society.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">When the Portuguese came to trade in the late 1500's, they brought with them Jesuit priests, who attempted to convert the natives to Christianity, but were unsuccessful. Later, When Catholic missionaries attempted to convert the Japanese to Catholicism, not only did they have no success in converting the elite class, the were also expelled and any farmers who had converted to Catholicism were executed.


 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[[image:kyle-history/shrine.jpg caption="A Shinto shrine"]] ||
 * <span style="background-color: #aaffaa; color: #008800; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-decoration: inherit;">A Shinto Shrine ||

<span style="background-color: #aaffaa; color: #008800; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em; text-decoration: inherit;">Rise to Power
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> When the daimyo Tokuwaga rose to power as shogun, and then kept the Tokuwaga family in power for over 200 years, his good leadership and organization strengthened the Feudalistic empire, assuring that this system of government would stay stable for a long time to come. He made his son the next shogun to eliminate any chance of fighting for the position of next shogun after he died, and formed political unity by making other daimyos help him administer any important local duties and stressing order and control. He did this by maintaining both a secret and public police force, the former known as the **metsuke**.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Around 1649, a Rebellion against Catholicism occurred. This caused a sense of fear of foreigners and a threat to national peace, therefore the Tokuwaga shogun closed their borders to any outside trade. this allowed them to control and monitor all trade occurring within the country, putting a damper on technological, cultural, and social advancement, but also allowed the shogun and his daimyos to maintain strict control over their country, keeping it organized and mostly without threat from outside forces. Thus they did not conquer any territory but were also not attacked. The lack of outside influence also allowed a uniquely Japanese culture and way of life to develop, and internal trade flourished.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[[image:kyle-history/farmer.jpg caption="Farmer couple"]] ||
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Farmer couple ||

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Downfall of Feudal Japan
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Japan’s system of feudalism lasted much longer than that of Europe. As Japan developed in cities and economically, the entire structure of the country changed. Nevertheless, there was constant warfare across the nation, expecially between prosepective shoguns fighting for power. With no clear sense of national leadership corruption became widespread as laws became unclear. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">This civil and political unrest coupled with the **Western trade pressures** on Japan led to the resignation of the shogunate.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> With this, the emperor was restored to power in the **Meiji Restoration of 1868.**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Japan then went on to adopt many different institutions of Western, such as a Western **legal systems** and **constitutions.** Further with the influx of Western ideas, Japan quickly developed **a centralized bureaucratic government** and a new highly **educated population** free of **feudal bonds**.

**<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Impact of Japanese Feudal Era **
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">There were several major impacts this era has left in society today, including military structure and religion.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">The local Japanese armies were huge, and the military was an important aspect of Japanese society. If one was not in the army, it affected their life, since the government was, in effect, a military government begin controlled by the Shogun, therefore many of the orders and requests sent out were military related (more material for weapons, more food needed for samurais, evacuate the area because a battle is in the midst, etc.). Within the army, samurais were given Japanese opportunities to gain status and honor above other citizens.The **army ranked by merit**, therefore, not only could one join the army simply by owning a sword (blind to the social status they have come from), but if one proves to be a good fighter, they would be promoted to a higher rank. This was encouragement to many samurais, making them more hard-working and loyal than they would have been otherwise. This system of merit is used today in most armies worldwide and proves to be successful.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">One would think that with so much military focus, religion, arts, and leisure would be swept to the side. This was not the case. On the contrary, the religious awakening during this time resulted in the spread of Buddhism nationally. New sects were established, including the fairly widespread sect that taught that salvation could be achieved through faith alone. known as **Zen Buddhism.** Zen Buddhism introduced many new practices still used today not only by Buddhists but by society in this area of Asia in general. They also left behind a goldmine of new artistic forms.These new introductions from Zen Buddhism include:
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">new arts forms, such as landscape architecture- arrangments of designing gardens- show beauty of nature
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Tea ceremony- ritual designed to produce spiritual calm- make tea with slow choreographed movements while others sat quietly, then they all drank tea and admire the pottery bowls in which it was served
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Noh play- first performed in 1300s- highly stylized dance dramas that might be on religious historical or romantic themes, performed on bare stage by male actors wearing masks while a chorus chanted the story

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em;"> Other Interesting Tidbits
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">media type="youtube" key="O5slCTLrFHI" height="360" width="640"
 * <span style="background-color: #aaffaa; color: #008800; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-decoration: inherit;">Did you know the Japanese shoguns maintained both a public and secret police? The secret police, called the metsuke, were one of the first of their time.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Here's a story about a Japanese soldier who didn't know [|WWII was over until 29 years later] . This highlights the deep loyalty of the Japanese people to their military and country.
 * <span style="background-color: #aaffaa; color: #008800; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-decoration: inherit;">Video about Kamikaze, a Japanese plane technique used in WWII, similar to the idea of sepukku in feudal times- showing many military legacies have carried on to modern times.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Here is a really interesting and helpful slideshow about Feudal Japan if you want to learn more: [| http://www.slideshare.net/grieffel/japan-shoguns]

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">pictures: <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[ http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/lockwoodm/Feudalism/images/JapanF.GIF ]http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/lockwoodm/Feudalism/images/JapanF.GIF
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Citations **

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[ http://www.wordtravels.com/images/map/Japan_map.jpg ]http://www.wordtravels.com/images/map/Japan_map.jpg

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[ http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Seppuku.jpg/280px-Seppuku.jpg ]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Seppuku.jpg/280px-Seppuku.jpg

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[ http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Samurai_with_sword.jpg/200px-Samurai_with_sword.jpg ]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Samurai_with_sword.jpg/200px-Samurai_with_sword.jpg

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[ http://www.instant-ramen.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/asakusa3.jpg ]http://www.instant-ramen.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/asakusa3.jpg

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[ http://i2.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/250/draft_lens17805131module149277054photo_1301855006Japanese_peasants._Before ]http://i2.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/250/draft_lens17805131module149277054photo_1301855006Japanese_peasants._Before

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[ http://www.mtholyoke.edu/org/naginata/naginata12.jpg ]http://www.mtholyoke.edu/org/naginata/naginata12.jpg

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> [ http://www.squidoo.com/the-almanac-that-fixes-time ]http://www.squidoo.com/the-almanac-that-fixes-time

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">videos <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ4k4dtRgPw&feature=player_embedded ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ4k4dtRgPw&feature=player_embedded

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVE7aqrva0g&feature=player_embedded ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVE7aqrva0g&feature=player_embedded

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5slCTLrFHI ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5slCTLrFHI

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Websites: <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">"Feudal Japan: 1185-1603." Facts-About-Japan.N.p., 2012. Web. 16 Jan 2012.<http://www.facts-about-japan.com/feudal-japan.html>.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">"Historyof Feudal Japan." Angel Fire. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan 2012.<http://www.angelfire.com/wv2/rising_sun/history.html>.

"Religionsof Feudal Japan." Angel Fire. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan 2012.<http://www.angelfire.com/wv2/rising_sun/religion.html>.

"FeudalJapan's Class Structure." Asian History. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan2012. <http://asianhistory.about.com/od/japan/p/ShogJapanClass.htm>.