Post on 23-Apr-2018
“Japan” means great land of the rising sun
Japan’s Feudal Age• Lasted from 1185 to 1865 C.E.
The Feudal Age1. Japanese and European feudalism:• Local lords controlled the people on their
lands
• Had armies of warriors (samurai/knights) who fought for them
• These warriors had similar codes of honourthat governed their fighting and social status
2. Shogun – military feudal leader
3. Shogunate – the period of rule of a particular shogun
• Ex. Kamakura Shogunate
or Ashikaga Shogunate
• Lords called daimyos; owed allegiance by samurai
• samurai and daimyos held much power and rank in society
• Could kill anyone of lesser rank who offended them!
Japanese vs. European Feudalism
Life of the Samurai1. Advantages:
• High rank in society
• Held in very high esteem due to personal honour
• Special privileges, ex. paid no taxes
• Cool weapons!
Katana Sword
Life of the Samurai• Disadvantages:
• Had to follow daimyo’s wishes, even if ordered to commit suicide
• Had to maintain high levels of personal honour and fighting skill
• Could die at any time
Code of Bushido• Bushido – “The Way of the Warrior”
• Bushido shown in:• Perfect concentration
• High levels of mental and artistic development
• High level of “Zen” development
3. Most important requirement:
• That samurai was true to his lord and comrades
• Owed them giri, even to the death
• giri: self-sacrificing devotion
• Owed self giri as well, so could never back down from an insult!