Arrow maker "Ya-shi" (late 15th - early 16th century
Topics on the Page
Periods in Japanese History
Shinto, Japanese Buddhism and Japanese Confucianism
Development of Feudalism
Shoguns, Daimyo and Samurai
Women Warriors, Emperors, and Geishas
Influential Literature Page on Haikus and One-Breath Poems
AP Art History: South, East and Southeast Asia, 300 BCE - 1980 CE
Welcome to Edo, a virtual tour of ancient Tokyo, the center of government, economic, and social life under the Shogun.
- This is an older resource so the interface is slow, but the information is historically accurate
Focus Question: What were the major economic, political and religious developments in Japanese history?
Periods in Japanese History
Click here for a timeline of Japanese history which includes a sidebar with events from Western history for comparison.
- Click here to view a timeline of the Japanese Empire from 1800-1899. This timeline helps to understand the Japanese economic and cultural policies in the 1800s.
I. The Evolution of Shinto, Japanese Buddhism, and Japanese Confucianism
- There are two principal religions in Japan
- Shintosim: 54% of the population
- More of a set of traditions and customs than religion
- Not bound by a formal set of rules, like the Bible in Christianity or Koran in Islam
- Classified as an animist religion
- People believe in the spirits of nature (kami)
- Can be found in a tree, rock, waterfall, etc.
- Buddhism: 40% of the population
- greatest part of the population only visiting temples for the New Year.
- many people would be at a loss to say which element belongs to which religion.
- Click here for an overview of Buddhism in Feudal Japan
- History of Shintoism
- Visit here for the companion site to the PBS film "The Buddha" which provides useful resources, games, timelines and multimedia tools to help students learn about Buddhism.
- Click here on information of Buddhism in Japan and the history of it.
- It also provided information on Japan unique Buddhism, called Zen Buddhism and how Buddhism was brought over to Japan from Mainland Asia.
- Confucianism was brought over to Japan in the 3rd century from Korea
- the elites of Japan studied Confucianism for its teachings about divination over ethics and politics.
- Confucianism emphasized merit over birthright which went against Japanese culture
- Because of this, Confucianism was remodeled in the 1100's and it became more widely accepted
- Confucianism in Japan
- There is a Christian minority in Japan that dates back from the contact with Portuguese and Spanish missionaries in the 16th century Christians only make up 1% of the population.
- population most are to be found on the southern island of Kyushu and especially in the city of Nagasaki.
There are only a few thousand Muslims residing in Japan. All of them are immigrants from Muslim countries mostly Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey, or recent Japanese converts who married them.
- Christianity was also outlawed in Japan during the Edo Period in the 17th century, a huge rebellion called the Shimabara Rebellion happened in 1637 to 1638. Click Here for more in depth information about this revolt.
- The 20th century has seen the emergence of new cults
- Many of which are based on Shinto and/or Buddhist beliefs.
- The most influential of them is Soka Gakkai
- Form of the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin founded in 1930.
- It has several million followers in Japan
- Related to the political party Komeito ("Clean Government Party").
- New religious groups have not always cohabtited peacefully with the rest of the population
- also showed the 1995 sarin gas attack in the Tokyo underground, perpetrated by members of the religious group Aum Shinrikyo.
II. The Development of Feudalism
Feudalism was a political system in place in Europe, Japan, and China for many centuries. It is useful to reflect on the way this political system works to maintain social order. In many respects it is similar to the chiefdom political organization of the Celts or Africa.
Feudalism was a medieval contractual relationship among the upper classes, by which a lord granted land to his men in return for military service.
- These men had vassals who served them who were usually peasants or serfs.
- European Feudalism was based on Roman Imperial laws and customs
- Feudalism was further characterized by the localization of political and economic power in the hands of lords and their vassals and by the exercise of that power from the base of castles, each of which dominated the district in which it was situated.
- This formed a pyramidal type of hierarchy. The term feudalism thus involves a division of governmental power spreading over various castle-dominated districts downward through lesser nobles.
- Feudalism does not infer social and economic relationships between the peasants and their lords. This is better defined as manorialism.
Diagrammatic feudalism resembles a pyramid, with the lowest vassals at its base and the lines of authority flowing up to the peak of the structure, the king.
Feudal institutions varied greatly from region to region, and few feudal contracts had all the features described here.
- Common to all, however, was the process by which one nobleman (the vassal) became the man of another (the lord) by swearing homage and fealty. This was originally done simply to establish a mutually protective relationship, but by 1000 A.D. vassalage brought with it a fief--land held in return for military service. With the vassal's holding of a fief went rights of governance and of jurisdiction over those who lived there.
- Lord and vassal were interlocked in a web of mutual rights and obligations, to the advantage of both.
- Whereas the lord owed his vassal protection, the vassal owed his lord a specified number of days annually in offensive military service and in garrisoning his castle.
- The lord was expected to provide a court for his vassals, who, in turn, were to provide the lord with counsel before he undertook any initiative of importance to the feudal community as a whole--for example, arranging his own or his children's marriages or planning a crusade.
Japanese Feudalism
- The age of Japanese Feudalism took place between 1185 CE to 1868 CE
- The lords in Japan were referred to as Daimyo, while the warriors were known as Samurai
- It differed from European Feudalism in that it was based off of Confucianist beliefs and ideals, putting an emphasis on respect for elders and superiors
- There was a belief that it was the duty of the Daimyo and Samurai to protect the peasants and lower class in their villages
- Peasants and villagers would in turn pay taxes to their lords
- While Knights received land for their service to their lords, samurai were given salaries, often paid in rice
- Click here for an overview on the differences between European and Japanese Feudalism
- Civil war were a constant threat among Japanese people, as Lords of the territories would compete for power
- Many territories were carved throughout Japan signifying the different Daimyos that controls the land.
- Click Here for brief information of Feudal Japan
- Click here for additional information on Feudalism in Japan
Click here for a break down of hierarchies in feudal Japan as well as a timeline of Japanese Feudalism.
To learn more about Feudal Japan and the "Age of the Warrior", click here
Check out this video on Japan in the Heian period from Crash Course World History with author, John Green.
Check out this page on Japanese life during the Edo period.
III. The rise of the Shoguns and the role of the Samurai
Shoguns
War played a central part in the history of Japan.
- Warring clans controlled much of the country. A chief headed each clan that was made up of related families. The chiefs were the ancestors of Japan's imperial family. The wars were usually about land since only 20% of the land was fit for farming. The struggle for control of that land eventually gave rise to the Samurai.
- Legend says that Emperor Keiko was the first person with the title of "Shogun."
- The word meant "Barbarian-subduing General." Legend continues that Keiko had a son named "Prince Yamato." He was cunning, fearless, strong and a great martial artist.
- Many believe that Yamato was a role model for future Samurai.
Click here for a biography of Tokugawa leyasu, the most famous Shogun from Japan's feudal period.
Click here for a 6 minute video on the history of the Shogunate, the Japanese government from 1192 to 1868. This give quick information about the roles of Shoguns and Samurais.
Daimyo
An ukiyo-e of daimyo Katō Kiyomasa(1867)
See PBS: Memories of a Secret Empire for a brief description of Daimyos
Daimyo: The Arts of Feudal Japan
- This a 27-minute film from 1988, explores the “dual way” of the feudal lords (Daimyo) in Japan, in which skill in the warrior arts was balanced by time and attention to the peaceful arts, including calligraphy, poetry and the tea ceremony
Samurai
The Samurai rose out of the continuing battles for land among three main clans: the Minamoto, the Fujiwara and the Taira.
- The Samurai eventually became a class unto themselves between the 9th and 12th centuries A.D. They were called by two names: Samurai (knights-retainers) and Bushi (warriors).
- Some of them were related to the ruling class. Others were hired men.
- They gave complete loyalty to their Daimyo (feudal landowners) and received land and position in return. Each Daimyo used his Samurai to protect his land and to expand his power and rights to more land.
- Samurai would commit suicide when faced with defeat. This act was known as Seppuku, and was meant to maintain the honor of Samurai in defeat
The Samurai became experts fighting from horseback and on the ground. They practiced armed and unarmed combat. The early Samurai emphasized fighting with the bow and arrow. They used swords for close fighting and for beheading their enemies.
Multimedia Resources
- Click here for an animated YouTube video describing the differences between European and Japanese Feudalism
- Click here for a breakdown on the hierarchical structure of the Japanese Feudal system
- History of Japan, by Bill Wurtz, a YouTube video that offers a broad (if somewhat oversimplified) history of Japan (with emphasis on Feudal Japan, but it neither starts or ends there), in a creative and digestible fashion (some light profanity)
This is a Lesson Plan for Japanese History focusing on the feudal system. This webpage simply explains the social structure of Japan during this time period. Feudal System
Click here to view an overview by the Met Museum of the Japanese Empire in the 1800s, beautifully summing up events that led to social, political and economic change.
- This link also provides details on the art history of Japan during that time period, and displays a timeline covering the Edo period and the Meiji Restoration.
Japanese Women Warriors and Emperors
Woman Samurai Tomoe Gozen on horseback
Overview of Warrior and Religious Women in Feudal Japan
Warriors
- While most samurai were men, women did have the opportunity to become Samurai
- The role of male and female samurais were significantly different. For example, Samurai men were required to fight in battle, whereas this was very rare for women
- Women Samurai often protected the home and children
- Samurai women also were required to perform certain arts, such as writing poetry
- Click here for an overview on Samurai women
Roles of Samurai Women
A Long History - Japanese Women Warriors
Nakano Takeko (1847-1868) YouTube video Nakana Takeko
Samurai Women from PBS
Japan's Female Emperors
Empress Kōgyoku (Saimei)--594–661, reigned 642–45 and 655–61
List of Japanese Empresses
- There have been 8 women emperors in history (126th Emperor in 2019)
- Women were excluded from becoming emperor by the Meiji Constitution in 1869
Japan: A New Emperor and a New Era - But Women Are Still Excluded from the Chrysanthemum Throne
Click here to read a chapter on Japan's Early Female Emperors.
Geishas
Japanese women could also become Geishas, who provided entertainment for guests at special events and occasions
- Geishas were expected to dance and play instruments for guests, as well as converse with the men
- Geishas were well respected in Japan, and were quite wealthy
- Click here for an overview on the role of women in Feudal Japan
Japanese women had significantly less freedom than men in society
- As opposed to men, women could not remarry upon divorce
- This resulted in many women committing suicide to get out of their marriage
Additional Resources
Japanese Music- Tears of the Samurai
Scrolls of the Mongol Invasions of Japan
Sample Test Question
Japanese Feudalism was characterized by a distinct hierarchical system, in which warriors would serve their lords to protect the common people, in exchange for a salary. Which is the correct order of the hierarchical structure, from most powerful to least powerful?
A. Emperor, Daimyo, Shogun, Samurai, Peasant
B. Emperor, Samurai, Shogun, Daimyo, Peasant
C. Daimyo, Emperor, Shogun, Samurai, Peasant
D. Emperor, Shogun, Daimyo, Samurai, Peasant
Answer: D
Sources
Maciamo, 2004. Japan's Political System. Retrieved February 22, 2007, From Japan Reference Web Site: http://www.jref.com/society/japan_political_system.shtml
Japanese Buddhism. Retrieved February 22, 2007, from Japan Reference Site: http://www.jref.com/culture/japanese_buddhism.shtml
McGee, 1998. Samurai - a brief history. Retrieved February 22, 2007, from http://members.tripod.com/~MickMc/samurai.html.
Japanese Periods, http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2126.html
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