Japanese Culture

By Isaac Shur and Nic Bone

Hierarchy in Japan
Two main classes nobility and
peasants
Emperor and Shogun- most important
nobles. Shogun was main leader,
Emperor was puppet figure
Daimyos- powerful warlords. Owned
and controlled portions of Emperors
land
Samurai- Highly respected warriors for
Daimyos
Peasants- common traders and
farmers

Economy in Japan
Most people were farmers or craftsmen

- Large number of these people would

fuel economy
Common exports: Silk, tea, textiles
Agriculture greatly improved
Kokudaka- measurement of wealth in rice

Chinese Influence on Early

Japan
Language
- Japan had no written language before
Chinese contact
- Japanese language was widely based on
Chinese language
Buddhism- brought from China, very
popular
Confucianism- also from China, important
influence on Japan

Chinese Influence Continued

Government
- Imperial Court
- Legal system in Japan
- Adopted from Chinese Government
Titles, ranks, and functions of
bureaucracy modeled after Chinese
politics
Japanese Gov. would be very
different with out china

Development of Chinese
Culture
Pottery and Ceramics
-Japanese made finest
pots/vases on market
Katana
- Main weapon for
Samurai
- Took years to make
- Very effective weapon

Development of Japanese Culture

(con.)
Art
- Painting centered
around nature
- Sculptures related to
religion
- Both were highly
respected art forms and
nobles would have
private artists make fine
works of art just for them.

Religion

Shinto- the way of the kami

(divinity) A no-god religion focused
on nature and natural forces.
Shinto Shrines would be
in natural areas such as
forest or beside
waterfalls.
The second largest
Buddha in Japan, made
of copper.

Buddhism- the religion

that teaches that ,one
can achieve self
enlightenment through
meditation and

Military
Atakebune: a ship with primitive
cannons and firearms, helped
whoever had them control Japan.
Katana- the katana was a curved
blade and the main sword of the
samurai.
Yumi- a long bow, used bamboo
arrows.
Ninja-The ninja were stealth soldiers
and mercenaries hired mostly by
daimyos, their primary role was to
perform espionage and sabotage
buildings, although assassinations
were also common.

Clans of Japan

Throughout Japanese history the Mainland was split into clans, which
sometimes fought for their daimyo( clan leader) to become shogun
(military leader of Japan). These wars increased Japanese strategies and
military prowess.
In 1274 and 1281 the Mongols attempted to invade Japan but a typhoon
destroyed their fleet. The typhoon is known as kamikaze or divine wind.
In 1543 a Portuguese ship went off course and trade firearms to the
Japanese. Soon after, at the battle of Naggshino, the guns (arquebuses)
killed 2,000 samurai.

Social
Women were less respected than children
during Feudal Japan.
Their respect was based on what class they
were in but it still was low.
The mother had full responsibility on child
rearing, and each child was doted on.
Japan was split into sections because
samurai got paid in land, this soon
backfired as the whole nation was a
collection of clans, fighting for power

Sources

http://www.facts-about-japan.com/feudal- japan.html
http://kwc.org/memorylane/mit/523/09.14.00%20Feudal% 20Economy
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/japan/ancient-japanese-art
/1401
http://orias.berkeley.edu/visuals/japan_visuals/shinto.HTM
http://asianhistory.about.com/od/japan/p/ShogJapanClass.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Japan#Feudal_Japan_.281185.E2
.80.931868.29
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