chapter 11

Question 1

The Heian Period

Answer 1

Who/What: change of capital city from Nara to Heian due to oppressive, powerful nature of buddhist monasteries in the city of Nara.
Where: Japan
When: 8th century to what? Book doesn’t give end date, just starts talking about Kamakura Shogunate starting at the end of the 12th century, so does this mean The Heian Period was from the 8th to the 12th century?
Significance: Return to the decentralization of power before Shotoku Taishi. Central Government attempted to tax rice lands, and it failed. Instead of paying the taxes, peasants would surrender their lands to a local aristocrat. They then allowed the peasants to cultivate the land as a form of payment. Then, the local aristocrats, to get protection from government officials, would grant a title for their lands to a more powerful aristocrat who had power in court. Then the more powerful aristocrats would get a portion of the income from the estate.
The decline in the power of centralized government, also meant that aristocrats tried to take justice into their own hands, resulting in the emergence of the samurai, who protected the security and property of their patron.

Question 2

Bushido

Answer 2

Who/What: “way of the warrior”
Where: Japan
When: 8th century, (cuz the Samurai came to be during the Heian period, which started in the 8th century?)
Significance: Samurai were expected to live by this strict code of moral character. Life of simplicity, self sacrifice, loyalty to their lord.

Question 3

Shogun

Answer 3

Who/What: military commander and governor
Where: japan
When: end of 12th century
Significance: After decentralization of government during the Heian period, rival noble families were constantly at civil war, and the Shogun were tasked with trying to resolve these conflicts by reducing the power of aristocratic families, and increase the power of centralized government.