AIM: to what extent was Medieval Japan similar to Medieval Western Europe?

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AIM to what extent was Medieval Japan similar to
Medieval Western Europe?
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Medieval Japan (1185 / 1200 1868)
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Geography
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• Japan tends to be very rugged and mountainous.
  Why would that help the development of numerous
  feudal states?
• HINT Greece.

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Economy

• So what type of economy did Medieval Japan have?

AGRARIAN
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Japans Feudal Hierarchy
What do you think?
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Japans Feudal Hierarchy
Why?
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Kamakura Period (1192 - 1333)

• Characterized by conflict between the Imperial
  government and the feudal noble government,
  Kamakura Bakufu, led by the Shogun. Neither side
  had complete power.
• Feudalism thrived. The Samurai became a
  necessity. Why?
• Zen Buddhism became popular amongst the Samurai

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• By the way, do you know which American film
  characters are partially based on the Samurai?

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The attempted Mongol Invasions (1274 and 1281)

• Technically it was an allied Koryo Mongol
  invasion of Japan. However, we all know

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• The 1274 invasion force consisted of 900 ships
  and about 30,000 men.
• However,

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• So in 1281 Kublai Khan sent a second invasion
  force to Japan. This time it consisted of 4,400
  ships and at least 140,000 soldiers.
• And this time

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AIM to what extent did Japanese nobles succeed
in maintaining a feudal society in Japan?
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Muromachi Period (1333 - 1573)

• Kamakura Bakufu overthrown and Imperial power
  restored.
• Imperial power soon collapses. Kyoto captured by
  the Shogun Ashikaga Takauji.
• Emperor flees and establishes a new court in
  Kyushu. Takauji establishes a second (imperial)
  court in Kyoto. Hmmm Japan is back to having a
  weak royal family (even though they eventually
  reunite) and powerful nobles.
• Toward the end of this Period the Japanese
  establish political and economic relations with
  the Ming Dynasty (Chinese) and the Portuguese.
• Firearms and Christianity are introduced to
  Japan.

Why is this ironic for East Asia?
By whom?
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Movement of Gunpowder , Guns, and Cannon
BTW
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Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1573 - 1603)

• Oda Nobunaga becomes the most powerful Shogun.
• Nobunaga is murdered, feudal war breaks out, but
  is eventually succeeded by an ally the Shogun
  Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

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Toyotomi Hideyoshi does this

• Destroys all castles not deemed necessary for his
  rule. Why?
• Bans the Samurai from farming (forces them off of
  their Manors) and makes them live in his
  castles. Why?
• In addition he persecutes Christians. Why?
• Does his actions remind you of any other society?

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Osaka Castle
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Himeji Castle
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Edo Period (1603 - 1867)

• Aka the Tokugawa Shogunate.
• Tokugawa Ieyasu succeeds Hideyoshi after he dies.
  
• He is the new all powerful Shogun.
• Peace prevails. Why?
• Westernization is feared and rejected. Why?
• Japan institutes a policy of isolationism. Why?
• The Samurai evolve from being a warrior class
  into an educated ruling elite. Why?

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The Last Samurai (2003)

• To what extent does the final battle scene from
  the Last Samurai illustrate the fall of feudalism?

1. What social class did most of the Emperors
   soldiers belong to? Why?
2. How does warfare change in Japan?
3. How does technology change power structures in
   Japan during this time period?
4. What country effectively brought about an end to
   the Japanese feudal time period?
5. How has the Japanese imperial army attempted to
   hold on to earlier feudal samurai traditions?

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AIM To what extent was Medieval Japan similar to
Medieval Western Europe?
Compare and Contrast Similarities? Differences?
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The End

• At least until the Americans show up in the mid
  nineteenth century.