Chapter 13 JAPAN
What are three measures that Ieyasu instituted to bring stability to Japan
- Alternate Attendance - Sharing Power - Strict Laws
Who was Confucius
- Confucius was a Chinese scholar who taught morality (right and wrong) - The main tenet of Confucian theory is that everyone has a place that must be upheld in order to create order and balance in life - Without this, chaos and suffering will occur
Why was Tokugawa Ieyasu important in Japanese history
- In 1600 there was a great battle where TI defeated his rivals and in 1603 he was given the title of shogun by the emperor - Shogunate were created under TI to control the people and bring stability to the country and decision-making
Peasants
- Most important role is to sustain the people through farming, fishing, etc. - Could not drink, smoke or travel (needed permission to leave community)
What was life like for an outcast
- Outcasts were shunned by society (as were the Ainu). - They generally held occupants involving death (tanning, cleaning dead animals from the streets, grave diggers), were entertainers, or had diseases (leprosy common) - They could not interact with society and had rules which greatly governed their movements (curfews, couldn't live in the city, couldn't talk to upper class)
What is seppuku and why is it ised
- Seppuku is ritual suicide, and was considered an honourable alternative to living with public shame - Samurai who have let down their daimyo or the group have failed in their primary duty - seppuku would be seen as a just consequence for breaking the code of honour (bushido - the way of the warrior)
Merchants
- They bought goods from artisans to store (often rice, which made them like bankers), ship, and distribute to the people - They were always under scrutiny to ensure they did not gain too much wealth, goods could be confiscated if they showed too much wealth
Samurai
- Warrior class - the only ones who can carry a sword legally (katana) - They serve their daimyo (and beyond that, the shogun) - Their role was to fight, keep order and collect taxes.
Women
- Women had a separate class, but always considered lower within the class than men - Rural women had more freedom, as they were not always being scrutinized by urban society - Women could not own property
Artisans
-An artisan learned the same craft as his father - Although they were extremely skilled craftspeople, they were considered lower class because they were not primary workers like the peasants
When was the Edo period
1600 - 1868
Shogun
A Japanese military ruler in Edo Japan
Barbarian
A person seen as uncivilized or primitive
Daimyo
A powerful Japanese land owner or noble
Proverb
A short pithy sayings in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice
Shogunate
A strong council of advisors, officials, and administrators
Alternate Attendance
All daimyo would spend every other year in Edo, which was financially taxing (it cost cost a lot to own and maintain two homes) and must leave some family in Edo during their absent year. This family could be used as leverage (hostage) by the shogun if the daimyo was being disloyal.
Domain
An area of territory owned or controlled by a ruler or government
How does Samurai honour translate to business today
Businessmen are loyal to the employer as samurai were loyal to the daimyo - the company provides them with security and belonging. This is the same Confucian relationship as the ruler and subject
Hereditary
Determined by birth
Filial Piety
Faithfulness and devotion to one's parents
Reverent(ly)
Feeling or showing deep and solemn respect
What are goningumi
Goningumi are organized "families" by their role in society - all members are responsible for each other's welfare and behaviour. They must support one another for all to be successful
What was life like before the Edo Period
Japan was locked in constant warfare as rival daimyo competed for land and power throughout Japan; life was unsettled
Outcasts
Japanese people who were shunned or ignored by other classes because of the type of work they did
Strict Laws
People's lives were heavily controlled by the shogun's rules, one rule required the daimyo to pay for projects (like building roads) to restrict their wealth/power.
Seppuku
Ritual suicide performed in Japan as an honourable alternative to humiliation and public shame
According to Confucius what are the five basic relationships
Ruler Father Husband Older Brother Friend Obligations and Duties: - To be a wise and just leader - To support and provide for - To protect Subject Child Wife Younger Brother Friend Obligations and Duties: - To obey - To respect - To honour
Ethical Code
Rules about right and wrong behaviour
Ronin
Samurai warriors without masters
Similarities and Differences between Christianity and the belief system in Japan
Similarities: - Both beliefs have ethical codes, which define right and wrong - Both believe that murder and theft are morally wrong - Both believe that life is about more than life on earth (afterlife/ concept of heaven/ existence beyond earthly) Differences: - Christian monotheism vs. Shinto polytheism - Japanese worship is closely tied to kami - Devotion is to one on earth or who has been on earth (emperor/ shogun/ ancestors) vs. devotion to God in heaven
What are "social controls"
Social controls are rules and customs of a society, which govern how people behave, which creates order in life and keeps society rigid and structured
How do rules govern people's behaviour
Strict rules governed how each class of person was viewed by others, as well as how each class could behave. Harsh punishments for stepping out of line kept people in line (social controls). The emphasis is on conforming (the nail that is sticking out gets hammered down).
What was Ieyasu's plan to control the daimyo
TI gave daimyos loyal to him land (called domain) situated beside potential enemy daimyos so that they could watch/spy on them and control them for the shogun
Confiscate
Take or seize (someone's property) with authority
Sharing Power
The daimyo would control local government affairs while the shogun controlled federal issues ( the bakuhan system).
Bakuhan
The feudal political system in the Edo period of Japan
The Feudal Society
The hierarchy of Japanese society is a structure based on rank/power. The Japanese Hierarchy: Emperor Shogun Daimyos Samurai Ronin Peasants(farmers) Artisans Merchants Outcasts are outside the hierarchy altogether. Women are at the bottom of each class they are born into (supporting role for men).
Who were the barbarians and how did they corn to Japan
The southern barbarians were Portuguese explorers(sailors), who approached Japan from the south. Some traders were shipwrecked in Japan on a trade mission
Confucianism
The teachings of the Chinese scholars Confucius
What happened in 1534
This was the European Age of Exploration - people were coming into contact and forming relationships with other cultures (trade, alliances, conflict)
Who were the rulers of japan
Tokugawa Shoguns
Why do school in Japan have uniforms
Uniforms are a way to show you are conforming to the role assigned to you - they show conformity and respect to the institution of school
Can you move up within the hierarchy
Your place in the hierarchy is hereditary (you are born into it), you can't move from class to class, but through hard work you might work your way higher up in your class