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Medieval Japanese Society Rise and Fall of the Samurai Big Questions • Why did Japan develop an honor-driven Samurai culture? • How was this culture similar to European Medieval Culture? • How was it different? Early Japanese Society • Prior to 200BCE, Japan was dominated by a hunter-gatherer people known as the Ainu – Originally believed to be from Northern China/Southern Russia The Yayoi • Around 200BCE, Japan is invaded by a tribe known as the Yayoi. – Believed to have originated from Korea – Maintained close ties to the region – Originally allied with China Yayoi Culture • The Yayoi were a culture divided into clans – Clans are political structures based around a large extended family – Each family had hundreds of retainers that served them as soldiers – Lesser family members owed allegiance to a powerful patriarch or matriarch at the top Yayoi Culture First Emperor • The most powerful clan, the Yamato, took control of the Japanese islands, and took the title of Emperor. • Yamato Emperor maintained strong alliances with the Korean peninsula, and China. The Battle of Baekgang • Around 620CE, China was taken over by the Tang Dynasty, a strong, militaristic and expansionist power – Tang had designs on seizing the Korean Peninsula which was ruled by four separate Kingdoms • The Goguryeo was allied with the Tang • The Baekje were allied with the Yamato • The Silla and the Kaya were independent Korea in 620CE Battle of Baekgang • The Tang Dynasty attempts to invade Silla three times from the north, but are pushed back by powerful defenses. – Decide to attack simultaneously from North and South by first conquering Baekje and Kaya • Drags Yamato into the war on behalf of Baekje Battle of Baekgang • Japanese send a large fleet to invade Korea, but it is disorganized – Empress dies on the eve of the fleet’s departure, no real control over the various clans – Tang vessels line up in a defensive position in front of the coast – Japanese ships attack throughout the day, growing exhausted and disorganized – Finally, Tang fleet attacks, surrounding and wiping out Japanese fleet Tang fleet Japanese response • Japan forced to surrender all ties to Korea • Japanese leadership decides to radically alter Japanese society in response to loss – Sends scholars to study at the Tang Dynasty Court in order to learn how to run an army and government – Results in a series of massive changes to Japanese culture, politics and the military known as the Taika Reforms Taika Reforms • Introduced Buddhism and Chinese philosophy • Created a structure for government known as the Toho Code – Government would have 12 levels, starting at the top with the Emperor and his advisors, clan lords (Daimyo), minor local nobles (Bushi), going all the way down to peasants and slaves. Taika Reforms • 1 in 4 male adults would be drafted into the military – Would have to provide their own weapons and armor – Would never have to pay any taxes or duties – Eventually this would be recognized as a class known as Samurai, responsible for the day to day overseeing of imperial activity Taika Reforms • Initially, Samurai is a term for government worker (bureaucrat). Overtime, the Samurai grow wealthier and increasingly associated with the Bushi (lower nobility). – By the Heian Period, Samurai titles were passed from father to son, peasants were rarely if ever lifted to the level of full samurai. Heian Period • Mark of the Samurai – By 800AD the long sword (katana) became the singular mark of the samurai class – Inducted samurai would be presented with a set of swords by their lord (Daimyo) • Samurai typically fought from horseback and were also expected to master the bow and the spear. Samurai Swords • The Katana – Long, curved blade, designed for a two handed grip. – Worn on a sash around the waste, known as an Obi – Designed to be drawn and swung in a single, smooth motion Samurai Swords • The Wakizashi – A shorter blade, with a straighter edge – Could be used simultaneously with the katana – More commonly used in ritual suicide Diagram of a Samurai Sword Construction • Swords were lightweight and extremely strong – Made from folding steel instead of simply pounding it into shape – Created blades with distinctive water-like patterns on the blade from the folding marks Bushido • Throughout the Heian Period and into the Shogunates, Samurai became almost exclusively nobles (Bushi) • Developed a noble code known as Bushido (way of the warrior) in order to ensure loyalty of the Samurai Class 7 Tenets of Bushido • Rectitude: One must act as if they are always being judged • Courage: One must never shy from battle or from a challenge, nor act dishonorably or cowardly in combat • Benevolence: One must treat inferiors well • Respect: Have the utmost respect and honor for ones superiors • Honesty: Never lie or deceive in word or deed • Honor: Always act in an honorable way and do credit to your family • Loyalty: Above all, your duty is to protect and serve your lord Violating Bushido • By the 15th Century, violating Bushido was considered a crime worthy of death – Samurai who failed to serve their masters (allowed them to die in battle) often performed a ritual form of suicide (Hara Kiri) known as Seppuku (stomach cutting) – Involving slicing open your own stomach with a wakizashi or tanto (dagger) while a second cut off your head – Occassionally, Daimyo would be called upon to commit Seppuku as part of a peace agreement Seppuku Preparation for Seppuku Outside of Bushido • The tenets of Bushido limited a Samurai in warfare – Necessitated the growth of a class that could carry swords, but was not hindered, hence the Ninja – Ninja were considered honorless, not true samurai (served no one master), yet still able to carry weapons – Ninja typically acted as spies, assassins and mercenaries – Often there would be little difference between true samurai and Ninja on the battlefield Samurai Armor • Typically made of Iron plates over leather, banded together by silk thread • Decorative features borrow heavily from Chinese influence • Designed for heavy protection, while still allowing mobility on the ground – Unlike Knight armor which was optimized for horseback Samurai Armor Ninja Armor The Ronin • Samurai who lost their lands and titles became known as Ronin – These landless Samurai were, according to Japanese law, still afforded more rights than peasants – Often resorted to banditry to survive – Number of Ronin vastly increase as Japan begins to modernize The Shogunate: The Genpei War • The Genpei War came at the end of the Heian period – Begins as a drawn out territorial feud between the Minamoto Clan and the Taira Clan • Emperor staid neutral, and became irrelevant to the fighting – War would involve several competing Buddhist factions as well The Genpei War • War fought across both land and sea – Taira controlled most of the island of Shikoku, while the Minamoto clan controlled Hokkaido • Taira had a superior navy • Involvement of Buddhist Temples – Japan dominated by 9 large sects of Buddhism – Two most powerful, Zen and Pure Land took sides in the war, and mustered armies Battle of Dan-No-Ura, 1185 • Final sea battle between Minamoto and Taira – Taira commit their entire fleet to battle, split into three groups – Minamoto commit their entire fleet as a single group • Both sides carrying Imperial symbols, designating them the Emperor’s favorite on their flagships Battle of Dan-No-Ura • Taira ships fighting defensively, use the tides to close and surround Minamoto ships – Quickly board and attack – Minamoto samurai prove to be superior, fight lasts far longer than expected – By mid-afternoon, tide goes out, leaving Taira warriors stranded Battle of Dan-No-Ura • Minamoto capture Taira flagship, including their Imperial flags • Hundreds of Taira Samurai choose to kill themselves rather than be captured – Shinto priests believe to this day that the crabs on the beach near Dan-No-Ura contain the souls of lost Taira Samurai Rise of the Shogun • Minamoto Clan establishes the position of Shogun – Officially, Shogun is merely the Emperor’s top general – In reality, the Shogun is the de facto ruler of Japan (ruler in fact, if not in law) – Shogun commands direct loyalty of all Daimyo Buddhism and the Genpei War • Buddhist sects are forced to severely limit the size of their protective force, and the number of temples they can operate – Buddhism cannot be eliminated due to popularity among Samurai 1274: The Kamikaze • The Mongol rulers of China send a massive fleet in an effort to invade and destroy Japan – Fleet struck by a massive typhoon and run aground on the rocky islands around Japan – Event is seized upon by Shogun as an example of the Kami (gods) approving of his rule Shogunate • Battle under the Shogun period becomes highly ritualized, dominated by individual honor duels – Rules of Shogunate sword-play still exist in Japan today as the sport Kendo Guns come to Japan • Gunpowder was first introduced to Japan by the Mongols, who were fond of throwing small bombs • Guns arrive from Portugal, who introduce a flintlock musket known as the Blunderbuss Changing Culture • As Samurai combat becomes more formalized, the Japanese Daimyo and Shogun begin relying more and more on masses of foot soldiers, Ashigaru to win battles – Ashigaru made up of peasantry, though trained in warfare and paid for their services – Ashigaru typically lightly armored, carry spears, guns and bows (never swords) Japan Isolates • By the mid-17th century, Portuguese and Spanish influence in Japan was growing – Widespread embrace of Christianity by lower classes • Catholic Jesuit priests establish permanent presence in Nagasaki • Shogunate increasingly concerned about an “invasion from within” Japan Isolates • In 1666, the Shogun orders all Portuguese out of Japan – Declares Buddhism and Shinto the only official religions, persecutes Japanese Christians – Japan becomes officially isolationist Fading role of Samurai • Japanese society stabilizes and stagnates – Lack of constant warfare, renders Samurai largely unnecessary – Most become bureaucrats – Loss of income renders many Samurai penniless, yet still retaining more rights than the growing, wealthy merchant class Japan Modernizes • 1853: As part of a global mission to extend American power, Commodore Perry arrives in Japan with a fleet, and demands they negotiate – Shells the harbor at Edo – Isolationist Japanese caught unprepared for superior American technology, forced to open Samurai of the Court ponder Japan’s Fate Modernization • Several Daimyo, recognizing the need to reform Japan, throw their weight behind the Emperor, rather than the Shogun • Known as the Meiji Restoration – Emperor demands Shogun’s removal, and seizes all Shogun lands – Ends isolationism, brings in foreign engineers to help Japan modernize – Begins the process of outlawing the Samurai, and simplifying the social structure