Little is known about Japan before 400 C.E.
Japan was organized into clans The Yamato’s
Only dynasty to exist in China Established itself as the leading clan Clan chiefs claimed to be emperor▪ Each lacked any real power over Japan▪ Clans fought one another for control, but claimed to
rule in the name of the Yamato Emperor▪ Japan had an emperor as a figure head and a ruling
power behind the throne
Prince Shotoku sends three missions to China Over the next 200 years, Japanese would send
missions to learn about Chinese ways Prince Shotoku instituted reforms
Centralized and bureaucratic government Meritocracy/civil service exams
Reforms would be overturned Noble families would hold real power
Fujiwara family comes to dominate Japan
Emperor moves capital to Heian (Kyoto) Establish a court society
Nobles gathered in a court with elaborate rituals and artistic pursuits▪ Everyone at court was expected to write poetry &
laugh▪ No laughing in public▪ Color of robes, length of swords, number of skirts worn
by women were all regulated by the court▪ All about etiquette
Land owners and clan chiefs became upset with luxurious lifestyle of the Heian Court
Fujiwara family loses power of central government
Chaos reigned supreme in the countryside Large landowners hired soldiers for protection Small landowners exchanged parts of their land
for this protection▪ Large Landowners become even larger land owners▪ System of feudalism develops in Japan
In the late 1100s two families fought for control of Japan
IN 1192 the Minamoto family emerge victorious Minamoto leader Yoritomo was given the title
of Shogun
The Shogun “Supreme general of the emperor’s
army” Had the powers of a military dictator Had power over the emperor
Think of it like this: Emperor = Puppet Shogun = Puppet master
The Daimyo Governors Responsible for
maintaining peace and order
Received land or goods as payment in exchange for support of a shogun
Often fought one another for additional land
The Samurai Warrior Class Members of the
shogun’s army When shogun fails
to pay them, they become more loyal to daimyos▪ Fought the wars
between the daimyos
Peasants, Artisans, Merchants Peasants▪ 80% of Japan’s feudal population▪ Lived on the land of the daimyo’s for their farming of
land
Artisans▪ Lived in urban areas; somewhat removed for feudal
system▪ Jobs such as blacksmith
Merchants▪ Lowest of the low because Japanese believed they had
no skills, so they were not valued