AIM: to what extent was Medieval Japan similar to Medieval Western Europe?

Medieval Japan (1185 / 1200 – 1868)

Geography

• Japan tends to be very rugged and mountainous. Why would that help the development of numerous feudal states?

• HINT: Greece.

Economy

• So what type of economy did Medieval Japan have?

AGRARIAN

Japan’s Feudal Hierarchy

What do you think?

Japan’s Feudal Hierarchy

Why?

Kamakura Period (1192 - 1333)

• Characterized by conflict between the Imperial government and the feudal noble government, Kamakura Bakufu, led by the Shogun. Neither side had complete power.

• Feudalism thrived. The Samurai became a necessity. Why?

• Zen Buddhism became popular amongst the Samurai

• By the way, do you know which American film characters are partially based on the Samurai?

The attempted Mongol Invasions (1274 and 1281)

• Technically it was an allied Koryo – Mongol invasion of Japan. However, we all know…

• The 1274 invasion force consisted of 900 ships and about 30,000 men.

• However,…

• So in 1281 Kublai Khan sent a second invasion force to Japan. This time it consisted of 4,400 ships and at least 140,000 soldiers.

• And this time…

AIM: to what extent did Japanese nobles succeed in maintaining a feudal society

in Japan?

Muromachi Period (1333 - 1573)

• Kamakura Bakufu overthrown and Imperial power restored.

• Imperial power soon collapses. Kyoto captured by the Shogun Ashikaga Takauji.

• Emperor flees and establishes a new court in Kyushu. Takauji establishes a second (imperial) court in Kyoto. Hmmm… Japan is back to having a weak royal family (even though they eventually reunite) and powerful nobles.

• Toward the end of this Period the Japanese establish political and economic relations with the Ming Dynasty (Chinese) and the Portuguese.

• Firearms and Christianity are introduced to Japan.

By whom? Why is this ironic for East Asia?

Movement of Gunpowder , Guns, and Cannon

BTW

Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1573 - 1603)

• Oda Nobunaga becomes the most powerful Shogun.

• Nobunaga is murdered, feudal war breaks out, but is eventually succeeded by an ally the Shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi does this

• Destroys all castles not deemed necessary for his rule. Why?

• Bans the Samurai from farming (forces them off of their “Manors”) and makes them live in his castles. Why?

• In addition he persecutes Christians. Why?

• Does his actions remind you of any other society?

Osaka Castle

Himeji Castle

Edo Period (1603 - 1867)

• Aka the Tokugawa Shogunate.• Tokugawa Ieyasu succeeds Hideyoshi after he

dies. • He is the new all powerful Shogun.• Peace prevails. Why?• Westernization is feared and rejected. Why?• Japan institutes a policy of isolationism. Why?• The Samurai evolve from being a warrior class

into an educated ruling elite. Why?

The Last Samurai (2003)

• To what extent does the final battle scene from the Last Samurai illustrate the fall of feudalism?

1. What social class did most of the Emperor’s soldiers belong to? Why?2. How does warfare change in Japan?

3. How does technology change power structures in Japan during this time period?

4. What country effectively brought about an end to the Japanese feudal time period?

5. How has the Japanese imperial army attempted to hold on to earlier feudal samurai traditions?

AIM: To what extent was Medieval Japan similar to Medieval Western Europe?

Compare and ContrastSimilarities?Differences?

The End• At least until the Americans show up in the

mid nineteenth century.