The Rise of Feudalism in Japan

E.Q. How did the feudal social structure impact thelives of the Japanese people?

The emperor was an impofiant political and religious figure inJapan. However, by the 1100s, the emperor's power was soweakened that Japan collapsed into civil war. Unable to control thelords of Japan, the emperor lost his political power. A system offeudalism arose in Japan that was similar to feudalism in WesternEurope. A feudal system of government is a government system ofprotection where large land owners (lords) offer protection topeople in return for their service and loyalty. Lords and theirprivate armies became very powerful.

By 1192, Japan's most powerful lord or noble had the emperorappoint him as Japan's "Supreme Military Governor" or Shogun.For the next 600 years, the Shoguns were the real rulers of Japan,while the emperors acted as mere figureheads. The Shogun stood atthe top of the Japanese feudal system. He was the most powerful lordin Japan. The Shogun was a military dictator.

Questions:1- What happened to the emperor of Japan in the 1100s?

2- What arose in Japan in the 1100s?

3- Define Feudalism.

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4- Who was the Shosun?

5- Why did the Shogun rule Japan?

The highest nobles next to the shogun were the daimyos. A daimyo was a noble landowner or a lord.

The Daimyo controlled large estates, or pieces of land that were given to them by the Shogun. The daimyo

owed the Shogun their loyalty and service. Daimyo also had private armies of warriors who fought for them.

As part of their loyalty to the Shogun, Daimyo warriors would fight for the Shogun when needed. The

daimyo gave land to warriors or samurai, which means "one who serves" in exchange for loyalty and

protection. Samurai were warriors on horseback and fearless soldiers who carried swords' They

believed that to die in battle was an honor. Samurai practiced the Code of Bushido.

The Code of Bushido was the samurai's code of honor. The Code of Bushido demanded that a samurai

be loyal to his lord and brave. A samurai had to obey orders and practice self-discipline, or control over

one's feelings and actions. Honor was the most important thing in his life. If a samurai lost his honor, he

had to commit seppuku or hari-kari. He had to kill himself with his own sword. The Japanese believed thatseppuku restored or brought back honor.

Questions:6- Define daimyo.

7- Who were the samurai?

8- Describe the relationship between a samurai and his daimyo.

9- What was the Code of Bushido?

l0- How could a samurai resain his honor?

Below the samurai in the feudal system were the peasants. This qroup consisted of the Door farm workers,fishermen. and servants. They were valued because they farmed and provided the food necessary to keep thecountry going. The peasants were separated from the warrior elite and had no hopes of improving their status.The peasant and artisan group made up about three-fourths of the Chinese population. Artisans and craftsmenwere below the peasants. The artisans did not produce food, but their works were well respected. Their workwas often made out of wood or metal as those were the resources that were most plentiful in Japan at the time.These artisans, made cooking pots, anchors, fishing hooks and Samurai swords. Finally, came the merchantsand traders. Those in power despised them because they did not work to produce any.thing. Merchants andtraders could become quite wealthy but they could not buy their way to a higher status. Often they were madeto live in separate parts of the village and were not allowed to socialize with other classes except when doingbusiness.

11- Why were the peasants valued in the Japanese feudal society?

l2- Why were the artisans below the peasants in the system?

l3- What were some of the items produced by the artisans?

14- What materials did thev use? Whv?

13- Why were the merchants and traders at the bottom of the system?