Japanese Feudal Society
Unit IV Instructional Objective: 1116.3
Answer Key to Lesson Plan
Vocabulary/Concepts:
1.Samurai: “Those who serve”; warrior Knights who battled to protect
the Shogun and the Emperor. Later became known as the Warrior class and had
elite status though only represented 5% of the population.
2.Shogun: Chief General of the Samurai, became the true leader of Japan as the
Emperor lost political power in the 17th century
3.Emperor: Ruler of Japan, by 17th century lost real power to the Tokugawa Shogunate;
was relegated to a figurehead who performed religious duties.
4.Daimyo: Wealthy Landowner class; shared power with the Shogunate and sometimes
supported them.
5.Bushido: “The Way of the Warrior”, code of Honor followed by the
Samurai class. Revered courage, strict obedience and loyalty to Shogun
and Emperor. Supported by Confucious thought.
6.Sepuku: Ritual suicide that allowed death with honor for those among the Samurai
class.
7. Shinto: “Way of the Gods”, Japanese Religion that held sacred
Spiritual Ancestors and Nature. Closely allied with philosophy of Buddhism.
Warm-Up:
1.The Tokugawa Shogun took over power from the Emperor in 1603 and created the
Tokugawa Shogunate that was ruled by himself (1603-1605) son, Ieyasu (1605-1623)
and grandson Iemitsu (1623-1651).
2.The Samurai Class became most powerful after Tokugawa took control and made
the most effective Japanese government to date. Due mainly to its effective
use of sharing power with the Daimyo class, collecting taxes, and creating civil
servants from the Samurai and Daimyo classes to maintain an efficient bureaucracy.
3.The Emperor no longer held political power; although he retained the highest
status he became a figurehead who only performed ceremonial and religious duties.
Closure/Discussion:
Benefits:
The Togugawa Shogunate (1603-1651) offered Peace and Prosperity to Japan by
ending civil strife for several reasons.
The Social Hierachy was held in place because the Daimyo shared political power
with the Samurai, the Farmers held status and increased Agriculture and Population
growth.
The Merchants and Craftspeople benefited due to the increase of Trade and with
a growing population the rise of town centers emerged. These developments
allowed for these groups to achieve degrees of economic wealth.
Isolationist Policies enforced by the Shogunate regarding trade allowed for
economic prosperity to directly affect the Japanese. This allowed for Feudalism
to continue as a viable system longer in Japan then in Europe.
Influences:
Many Japanese still hold Buddhist -Shinto religious beliefs.
Confucianism is still a dominant force and continues to validate the Social
Order.
The elevated status of the Merchant Class has allowed for Japan to compete as
a dominant player in the Commercial Market.
Homework:
3 Similarities between Elizabethan England and Tokugawa Japan:
The Rigid Social Hierarchy in both Feudal Societies
The Importance of Religion that reinforced Societal Structure
The Ruler shared power with the Landowner Class.
A Military that protected and pledged allegiance to the Ruler.
3 Differences between these two societies in the 17th and 18th centuries
Shinto, Buddhism and Christianity held distinctly different rituals.
Diet and Health were opposite: English staples: meat and bread, Bathed infrequently,
Japanese ate more Fish and Rice, Bathed frequently.
Farmers in Japanese society were respected for grew rice which fed the entire
population; Peasant Farmers in England held the lowest status, were exploited
by their Lords, and led a meager existence.
*note*
Dear Ms. Traubitz,
I am sending you my Lesson Plan a second time in case you did not get the first!
It is 4 pgs. including the Answer Key. Sorry for the delay.
I am also using 6 transperancies of : Map of Feudal Japan in Tokugawa Period,
Samurai and Amor (2), Graph of Japanese Feudal Structure, Sculpture of The Buddha,
and U.S. Commondore Perry.
See you Soon!,
Barbara R. Vasco
Rcokville HS