5-2 Notes: Shoguns and Samurai

Nara Japan• In the early 700’s A.C.E.,

Japan’s emperor built a new capital – Nara – which was used for the next 100 years

• Nara was designed to look like Chang’an, China’s capital

• Government officials were organized into ranks

• Civil Service Exam was not used – Emperor chose people from powerful families

• Japan also carried out a census – this was used to catalogue lists of tax payers, ownership of land, and soldiers for the army

Buddhism in Japan• Buddhism arrived from Korea

in the 500’s A.C.E.• Japanese government officials

and nobles were the first converts, begins to spread in the 600’s – 700’s A.C.E.

• As the religion spread, non-Buddhist nobles began to oppose the religion; Buddhists and non-Buddhists began to fight over control of the government

• 770 A.C.E. – A Buddhist monk tried to take control of the government, but he was stopped by the Emperor and his family

• In response, the Emperor moved the capital from Nara to stay away from the Buddhist population in the city

Japan’s Central Government Loses Power• Emperor Kammu sets up a

new government located in Heian (modern-day Kyoto)

• Government weakened – many emperors were too young, regents ruled in their place, and this often resulted in power struggles

• Government also began to allow nobles to control lands that they settled

• Eventually, government even stopped forcing these nobles to pay taxes

• Nobles eventually begin to govern these lands almost as independent kingdoms

Samurai and ShogunSamurai

• Nobles began to form private armies of highly skilled warriors

• They also granted land to these warriors, who began to be called “samurai”

• “Samurai” means “to serve”

• Samurai lived by a strict code of conduct, called “Bushido,” or “the way of the warrior”

• Fought on horseback with swords, daggers, and bows & arrow – Their armor was made of leather and steel, wore masks to frighten their enemies

• Important principle: Samurai would prefer to die in battle rather than betray their lord or be captured

Shogun• By the early 1100’s, powerful

Japanese families began to fight each other using samurai armies

• 1180-5 A.C.E. – Gempei War was fought between the Taira and Minamoto families (Minamoto were victorious and began to threaten the Yamato clan)

• 1192 – In order to keep the Minamoto loyal, the Emperor gave Yoritomo (leader of the Minamoto) the title of “shogun,” or commander of all emperor’s military forces

• Shoguns ruled Japan for the next 700 years

• Yoritomo set up a new government at Kamakura; he was a ruthless leader who killed relatives (who wanted his power) and appointed samurai to serve as advisors and governors of provinces

Daimyo• 1274 and 1281 A.C.E. – Kublai Khan sent

voyages to defeat Japan, but both voyages were decimated by violent windstorms (“kamikaze” or “divine wind”)

• Kamakura Shogunate began to lose power as land was overdivided and many Samurai became poor, refused to support the Kamakura

• 1331 A.C.E. – Emperor rebelled and many Samurai supported him, yet he refused to give out more land

• Instead, Ashikaga Takauji, a general, turned and made himself shogun in 1333 A.C.E.

• Ashikaga shoguns were weak rulers – Japan became divided into small territories ruled by powerful military lords, called the daimyo

• Daimyo pledged loyalty to the Emperor and shogun, but operated their lands as independent kingdoms – Used samurai armies to defend their lands

Japanese Feudalism• Many Samurai became vassals

of a daimyo, meaning they pledged their loyalty and promised to serve him in times of war

• In return for loyalty and military service, the samurai were granted land by the daimyo

• This relationship is called feudalism, a bond of loyalty, service, and land between a vassal and lord

• As Japan’s central government broke down, violence was widespread

• For 100 years, shoguns tried to unite Japan but daimyo resisted

• Ashikaga shogunate finally dissolved in 1567 A.C.E.