10th Century Feudal Japan

Ms. Burke | World Cultures

c. 1400 – 1600 Also known as the Sengoku Period During this period, the Emperor was

the figurehead ruler• Ceremonial, cultural, and religious power

Political power rested with the Shogun

Daimyo began fighting over power/land/wealth and the Shogun (their lord) lost control over them

CHANGES IN JAPAN:• Trade with China began to grow• Economy developed• Use of money increased

Before – it was the barter system• Agricultural developments• All levels of the social structure wanted

independence • Earthquakes and famines triggered armed

rebellions b y farmers They were tired of the heavy taxes

Ended with a series of three warlords• Oda Nobunaga• Toyotomi Hideyoshi• Tokugawa Ieyasu

These men gradually unified Japan

Japan then entered into several centuries of peace under the Tokugawa Shogunate

Samurai were also known as bushi and followed the “Way of the Warrior” or bushido

Rigid value system of discipline and honor

Lived and died in service to their lords

Male and female! 10% of population

1847 – 1868 Female warrior Was injured in

battle and asked her sister, Yuko, to behead her

Monument to her at Hokai Temple and honored

1. Frugality• No matter his wealth, the samurai lived

simply with few comforts

2. Loyalty• The samurai unquestioningly followed and

defended his warlord or emperor

3. Martial Arts Mastery• The samurai was an artist with his weapons,

which include:

Katana: curved single-edged sword

Worn in a samurai’s sash Usually 70 cm in length Made of Japanese steel – Tamahagane

Polishing the blade takes between 1 – 3 weeks

Banned in 1945, but people were allowed to start remaking them in 1953

3. Martial Arts Mastery• The samurai was an artist with his weapons,

which include:

Yumi: long wooden bow with bamboo arrows

3. Martial Arts Mastery• The samurai was an artist with his weapons,

which include:

Yari: steel-bladed spears

4. Honor Unto Death• If the samurai was defeated,

badly wounded, or disgraced in battle, he could only restore his honor through the ritual of seppuku

• Seppuku: suicide by slicing open own abdomen

Emperor Meiji officially abolished the samurai in 1868

After the samurai were abolished in 1868, they became the Shizoku• Were not allowed to wear a katana (sword)

in public• Could not execute anyone who disrespected

them in public

The Shizoku were outlawed in 1947