Early Modern to Modern Japan

Right action for all (Banmin Tokuyo, Suzuki Shosan)

"Farm work is Buddhist practice," i replied "It is isunderstanding that makes it menial work. When your faith is firm, it is the practice of a Bodhisattva." You are wrong to think you need leisure to pray for Rebrith. Those who insist upon attaining Buddhahood torment both body and mind in their quest, while those who pray for Rebirth will to reach Buddhahood in ten thousand eons.

Bushido

"The way of the warrior" i loose Japanese term for the samurai way of life. Bushido was also the name of the samurai code that all samurai had to live by. The Way stresses samurai moral values, frugality, martial arts mastery, honor, loyalty, and peace.

Japanese Documents: Anti-Christian Pronouncements. Passed By Hideyoshi in 1587.

1.) Japan is the Land of the Gods. That a pernicious doctrine should be diffused here from the kirishitan Country is most undesirable. 2.) To approach the people of our provinces and districts, turn them into [Kirishitan] sectarians, and destroy the shrines of the Gods and the Temples of the Buddhas is something unheard of in pervious generations. 3.) In the Judgement of his Highness, it is because the Bateren. Amass parishioners as they please by means of their clever doctrine that the law of the Buddhas is being destroyed like this is the Precincts of the Sun. That being miscreant, the Bateren can scarcely be permitted to remain on Japanese soil. Within twenty days from today they shall make their preparations and go back to their country. During this time, should anyone among the common people make unwarranted accusations against the Bateren, it shall be considered miscreant.

Readings: Code for the Imperial Court and court Nobility (Kinchu Narabi Ni Kuge Shohatto) put forth by the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1615. Signed by Nijo Akizane, Tokugawa Hidetada, Tokugawa Ieyasu.

1.) Of all the Emperors various accomplishments, learning is the most important. If an emperor does not study, he will not clearly know the ancient way; [never yet has such an emperor] been able to establish great peace through his rule. Although Waka are a matter of fine words, composing them is a custom of our country that should not be abandoned. 4.) Those who belong to the regent houses but do not possess the requisite talents and abilities, let along anyone from outside [those houses] must not be appointed as one of the three dukes or as imperial regent. 5.) Those persons who do not possess the requisite talents and abilities should not resign their office as one of the three dukes or as imperial regent, even if they have reached a great age. Furthermore, they may be reappointed even after they have resigned their office. 6.) Adopted sons continue the family line. However, one must use [adopt] those of the same clan name. Never has it happened, before or now, that a relative through the female line succeeded as the head of a house. 7.) Appointment of warrior (buke) in functions and ranks of the imperial bureaucracy must be considered separate from those of the court aristocrats who are actually fulfilling such positions.

Summary on Japanese Matters, Alexandro Valignano late 1500s

3.) The Third reason is that in Japan, unlike the rest of these oriental it is not only the lowly and humble who becomes Christians. Gentlemen, great lords, and even kinds likewise subject themselves willingly to our holy law. Accordingly, the harvest reaped in Japan is incomparably greater, less onerous, and more valuable. 4.) The Fourth reason is that the Japanese are naturally much inclined to religion and reverence and are very obedient to priests. This is evident from the grand status attained by the bongos of all the sects of Japan. 5.) The Fifth reason is that the door is open to the Holy Gospel and to conversion in all the kingdoms of Japan. Given the laborers and the funds necessary where the work of making Christians is begun, the padres can settle and preach the law of our Lord wherever they wish. 6.) The Sixth reason is that the Japanese are capable not only of receiving our holy law but also of absorbing our sciences with ease. What is most important however is that they are absolutely capable of being ordained secular priests or of living a holy life in a religious order.

Readings: Code for the Warrior Households (Buke Shohatto) put forth by the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1615

9.) How the Daimyo should report for duty. If one is not engaged in official duties, one should not at will assemble ones clansmen. One cannot move though the capital with a retinue of more than twenty horsemen. However, when a daimyo is performing his official tasks, he may be followed by as many men as his rank entitles him to. 10.) Restrictions on the type and quality of clothing should not be transgressed. One should be able to distinguish between lord and retainer, high and low. It is against all ancient law that nowadays vassals and soldiers are wearing gaudy clothes of damask, gauze, or embroidered silk. This must be strictly regulated. 11.) Ordinary people should not ride indiscriminately in palanquins. Palanquins being the things hoisted by soldiers and carrying nobility .

Alessandro Valignano (1539-1606)

A Jesuit who came into to Japan in 1579. Began the conversion of the Japanese people. Had 80 clergy to serve 150,000 clergy, adopted Buddhist institutions.

Jomon 10,000 to 250 BCE

A period of time marked by cord-marked pottery, small villages, hunting, and gathering,

Yayoi 250 BCE to 300 CE

A period of time marked by simple rice cultivation, agricultural irrigation, and population migration.

Yamato 300 CE to 645 CE

A period of time marked by the appearance of clans, formal kami worship, and the Emperor with his divine line.

Nara 710-784 CE

A period of time marked by the introduction of Buddhism to Japan and the writing of Japanese history as well as the introduction of several law codes.

Heian 794-1185 CE

A period of time marked by the introduction of the Imperial court, woman's literature, and clan conflicts.

Takayama Ukon (1552-1615)

Also known as Justo Ucondono. The daimyo of Takatsuki, Akashi.

"Floating world"

Also known as Ukiyo, an expression of the new economy and social ambitions of the common townspeople of the Edo period (1615-1868). It was, specifically, a world of play and entertainment in Japans three main cities, Edo (Tokyo), Osaka, and Kyoto.

47 Samurai

An Altercation between two Daimyo in 1703 led to Lord Asano attacking and wounding Lord Kira. In response Asano is executed and his lands taken. In response to this 47 of Asano samurai, now known as ronin or samurai without masters. Because of this perceived insult the ronin attacked Kira's mansion in Edo and beheaded Kira presenting his head at their masters grave. The samurai were after forced to commit Seppuku thus retaining some of their honor.

Shimabara Rebellion

An uprising of Catholic Christian peasants in Southwestern Japan from 1637-1638. Led by a young man. The revolt was crushed and the leaders executed. This brought about stricter anti christian laws which pushed even more Christians underground.

Hagakure written by Yamamoto Tsunetomo in the early 17th century. Seen as a classic exposition of the samurai value system.

Bushido [The Way of the Warrior] i have found out, lies in saying, When confronted with two alternatives, life and death, one is to choose death without hesitation, There is nothing particularly difficult; one has only to be resolved and push forward. Conversely, as long as ones choice is death, even if he dies without accomplishing his just aim, his death is free of disgrace, although others may term it as a vain or insane one. This is the essence of bushido.

Castles

Castles are large walled off structures that usually house royalty or nobility as well as a few select servants and retainers. Some Castles are larger than others, a sign of wealth and power, and even have moats protecting them. During the Tokugawa period certain legislation was passes to ban the rebuilding of castle walls and to set limits of the height of walls for security purposes.

Relations w/China

Chinese relations with Japan are long and complex with Japan looking up to China as a big brother and leader for much of its history. It is from China that many new innovations came to Japan. In the 1600s trade with China was a large part of the economy and Chinese quarters in trading ports were set up. Over the next 200 years though trade with China declined. Chinese culture also had powerful impacts in Japan, with Chinese writing being the more prominent sign of upperclassmen-ship in Japan.

Domains

Domains refers to the lands possessed by the Daimyo. Some Daimyo held very large areas of hundreds of thousand of koku while the smallest were 10,000 koku. Within these domains daimyo had almost absolute control and rein over their people.

Battle of Sekigahara 9/15/1600

Eastern Army led by Ieyasu vs Western Army led by Ishidea. This was the battle for the realm with 100,00 troops on each side. Ieyasu wins and goes on to become the third great unifier. Sometimes referred to as the start of the Tokugawa State.

Eta/Henin

Eta literally meaning much filth are outcasts. The title which is hereditary is defined people who live outside the 4 class system and who traditionally deal with death or defilement in their occupation. Disposing of corpses, executing criminals etc, they are seen as constantly defying Buddhist teachings. They live outside towns and cities Hinin literally meaning non-human are also outcasts, but this title is not hereditary, Hinin are seen as drop outs from society and normallly function as entertainers or actors, despised professions. Prostitution was another major occupation of the Hinin.

Underground Christians

Hidden Christians who had to hid their faith because of increasing persecution following the Anti Christian Proscriptions of the 1600s. People where often forced to walk on images of Christ and other such sacred images in order to prove that they were not Christian. it is believed that their were around 300,000 Christians in Japan at one point.

Relations w/Korea

Japan had a complicated relationship wth Korea following the invasions of 1592 and 1597. Following this act while Korea would sent envoys everytime a new Shogun was names and while trade somewhat resumed after the peace treaty of 1605. Relations with Korea were still seriously strained.

4 Class Social System

Japan society consisted of a four class social system with the Samurai at the top followed by the Farmers, then the Artisans, and finally the merchants at the bottom. Also known as the Shi-no-ko-sho system. Of course the Emperor and the Imperial court are above the four class system.

Relations w/Dutch

Japanese Relations wit the Dutch were far better than with any other European nation. With that being said trade with the Dutch was still limited to specific ports

Medieval Japan

Kamakura 1192-1333 Ashikaga (Muromachi) 1338-1573 Azuchi-Momoyama 1568-1600

Daimyo

Literally translated as "Great Name". Represented wealthy noble families who held at least 10,000 Koku worth of land. The title was hereditary and each Daimyo had his own standing army, although most were vassals to the Shogunate or Emperor. The Shogunate in later times have the power to take away the power of the Daimyo including their land.

Modern Japan

Meiji 1868-1912 Taisho 1912-1926

Nagasaki

Nagasaki became the only trading port a able to the Dutch following the increased isolationist policies of Japan. The Japanese created an artificial island called Deshima which contained werehouses to store good. The Dutch merchants themselves were carefully watched and forbidden from leaving specific areas.

Peasants

Peasants made up around 85 percent of the population and included farmers. They generally lived in 3 generation household families in small villages or town. In most farming villages there were around 50-100 household organized in sets of five household units.

Contemporary Japan

Showa 1926-1989 Heisei 1989-current.

Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616)

The 3rd and final unifier of Japan who established the Tokugawa dynasty which lasted for hundreds of years. Son of a military chief, gained the title of Shogun in 1603 and later gave the title to his son a few years after. Established a long line of hereditary rule in Japan and brought about a period of Kinsei Feudalism.

Alternate Attendance

The Daimyo alternate year residence policy in which the Shogun forced daimyo to live part of their lives in the Shoguns capital of Edo. The purpose was to strengthen control over the daimyo .

Sakoku

The Sakoku edict of 1635 was a Japanese decree intended to eliminate foreign influence, enforced by strict government rules and regulations to impose these ideas. It was the third of a series issued by Tokugawa Lemitsu. Literally translated as closed country.

Emperor

The Spiritual and occasionally Political leader of Japan. Descendent from Amaterasu the sun goddess, the Emperor represents Divinity for the Japanese people. Despite this for large periods of time the emperor did not actually hold any real power because of the rise of the Ashikage and later their Tokugawa Shogunates.

Japan

The country of 8 million kami

Baku-han system

The feudal political system in the Edo period of Japan. Baku, is an abbreviation of Bakufu, meaning "military government" that is, the shogunate. The han were the domains headed by the daimyo.

Odd Nobunagea (1534-1582)

The first great unifier of Japan, began the unification of Japan until his death by one of his vassals. Fought against Buddhist Temples as he saw them as a threat to his authority.

Edo

The former name of Tokyo and the seat of the Tokugawa Shogunate. It grew to be one of the largest cities in the world and home to an urban culture centered on the notion of a floating world. Edo was also the name of the period of time ranging form 1615 to 1868.

Invasions of Korea

The invasions of Korea where committed by Hideyoshi in the years 1592 and 1597 and represented his greater goals of eventually invading and taking over China. Also known as the Imjin war. Korea was backed by China and the invasion of 1592 was a success in a sense that diplomats gave Hideyoshi a false victory. When he learned of this a subsequent invasion in 1597 was launched and lasted until Hideyoshi's death in 1598.

Bakufu

The last feudal Japanese government under the Tokugawa Shogunate. The Bakufu referred to the actually government itself.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598)

The second great unifier of Japan. Was a vassal of Nobunaga and avenged his death. Conquered japan in the 1580s and 90s. Invasions of Korea in 1592 and 1597 also known as the Imjin war. Completed land surveys and sword hunts.

Shogun

The supreme military leader of all of Japan. Translates to Barbarian subduing Generalissimo. The Shogun is a hereditary title, with all Shoguns needing to claim linage back to the Minamoto clan. The title is usually passed down from father to son, with the two greatest lineages of Shogun being the Ashikaga and the Tokugawa.

Samurai

The warrior class of Japanese society, slowly evolved form fighters to a more civilized bureaucratic status. Had special rights in relation to the other classes. Theoretically upheld the Middle Path and served as role models for the rest of society. Followed Bushido.

Early Modern Japan

Tokugawa (Edo) 1600-1867

Townspeople

Townspeople are made up of both Artisans and Merchants who generally live in cities or towns were they can offer their services to people. Artisans did everything form build houses, to create goods like pottery and cultural good. Merchants sold the goods created by artisans.