Japan in the Middle Ages

1. Japan in the Middle Ages • Japan was heavily influenced by China during the Middle Ages (AD 800- 1500). China influenced Japan in many ways, but China’s influence was most obvious in the realms of culture and religion.

2. China’s Influence on Japan– Religion • Buddhism arrived in Japan from China early in the Middle Ages and made an impact. Buddhism mixed with the native Japanese religion, Shinto, and Zen Buddhism was created. At the same time, Confucian concepts of government and society also arrived in Japan.

3. Japanese Religion– Shinto • Like China, ancient Japanese people formed their own religious beliefs which emphasized the importance of nature. Before the arrival of Buddhism in Japan, the oldest and most important Japanese religion was called Shinto.

4. Japanese Religion– Shinto • Shintoists believe that everything in nature has a spirit. Shintoists worship the spirits of nature, called kami. This belief in natural spirits is called animism.

5. Japanese Religions– Shinto • Aside from worshiping kami, the beliefs of Shinto are simple: • Love nature. • Respect people. • Live a simple life.

6. Japanese Religions– Buddhism • Buddhism arrived in Japan from China in the AD 500s. Buddhism mixed easily with Shinto, and the Japanese created a new style of Buddhism called Zen Buddhism.

7. Japanese Religions– Buddhism • Like Shinto, the beliefs of Zen Buddhism are simple: • Mindfulness (meditation) • Love nature • Respect people • Live a simple life

8. Japanese Religions– Shinto and Buddhism • Because the two religions coexisted well in Japan, Shinto and Buddhism became the dominant religions in the country.

9. Questions 1. What is Japan’s oldest religion? 2. What do Shinto followers worship? 3. How do Shinto followers practice their religion? 4. What religion arrived in Japan in the AD 500s? 5. What are the beliefs of Zen Buddhism? 6. What two religions did most Japanese follow?

10. Japanese History– The Nara Period (AD 710- 794) • The Nara Period of Japanese history began as a golden age for Japanese art and a time when Buddhism became popular in Japan. But, the Nara period only lasted 84 years.

11. Japanese History– The Nara Period (AD 710- 794) • Although the Japanese borrowed Confucian ideas from China, they failed to use the civil service exam to hire government officials, and their government became corrupt. In 794, the capital city was moved, and the Nara period ended.

12. Question 7. Why did the Japanese government become corrupt during the Nara period?

13. Japanese History– The Heian Period (AD 794- 1185) • The Heian period came after the Nara period. The Heian period is memorable because it was a true golden age for Japanese art. During the Heian period, Japanese poetry and literature flourished.

14. Japanese History– The Heian Period (AD 794- 1185) • During the Heian period, the world’s first novel was written. It is called The Tale of Genji. The Tale of Genji was the most important literary work produced during the Heian period.

15. Questions 8. Why do we remember the Heian period? 9. What types of art flourished during the Heian period? 10. What is the most important literary work created during the Heian period?

16. Japanese History– Rise of the Shogunates • The Heian period came to an end in the 1180s when a civil war happened in Japan. The civil war was caused by two things– the Japanese emperor had become weak, and a new type of leader emerged, called a shogun.

17. Japanese History– Rise of the Shogunates • The Japanese civil war also caused the rise of the samurai warrior class. After the war, the government in Japan changed completely. The emperor kept his position, but all the power belonged to the shogun, who was a military governor of Japan. The shogun was supported by samurai warriors.

18. Questions 11. When the Heian period ended, the ________ warrior class rose. 12. What two causes led to the rise of shogunate governments in Japan?

19. Japanese History– The Shogunates • Under the shoguns, society was organized similar to the European feudal system. The emperor was at the top of the Japanese feudal system, although he had very little power. The shogun was beneath the emperor, but he was very powerful. The shogun ruled over the daimyo, who were similar to the lords of Europe. Samurai warriors fought for the daimyo and protected the peasants and artisans. The lowest class of Japanese society were the merchants, because they created nothing of their own.

21. Japanese History– The Shogunates • The shoguns ruled Japan for 700 years. During this time, the daimyo (powerful landlords) employed samurai warriors to protect their lands. In return, the samurai received a share of land. The Japanese feudal system was very similar to the European feudal system.

22. Japanese History– The Shogunates • During the shogunate period, farmers, craftsmen, and merchants made up the lowest rungs of Japanese society. Similar to European feudalism, the lowest groups in society made up the largest part of the population. Farmers, craftsmen, and merchants made up 80% of the population during the shogunate period.

23. Questions 13. Who had more power in Japan, the emperor or the shogun? 14. How long did shogunates rule Japan after their rise in the 1100s? 15. Who were the daimyo? 16. Why did the daimyo employ Samurai warriors? 17. What did the Samurai receive in return for their feudal service to the daimyo? 18. What groups of people made up 80% of Japan’s population during the Shogunate period?