Edo Japan - Chapter 14 Flashcards
1
Q
Foreign influence on Japan;
Southern Barbarians
A
The southern barbarians were Portuguese traders whose ships shipwrecked south of Japan in 1543. They were also followed by Spanish, Dutch and British missionaries.
2
Q
Foreign influence on Japan;
Christianity
A
- In 1549 a Jesuit , Francis Xavier, arrived in Japan to convert the upper classes, the Daimyo and the Samurai to Christianity. The Portuguese also sent Franciscan priests to work with the lower classes.
- There were some basic similarities between the beliefs of the Christian clergy and Japanese values.
Ethical codes about right and wrong - But still, the idea of Christianity was new to Japan and the idea of one God. They have always learned to respect and be loyal to their Daimyo, Emperor and Shogun. The Christians taught someones spiritual loyalty must be to the God.
- It became clear to the shogunate that what Christianity stood for was very different from the beliefs that were considered an essential part of the Japanese identity.
3
Q
Foreign influence on Japan;
Exclusion Laws
A
- The Exclusion laws were enforced as a result of Missionaries sneaking into Japan to convert the citizens. If these laws were broken the penalty would be death.
- All Christian missionaries and foreign traders were forced to leave Japan.
- Newcomers were no longer allowed to enter.
- The Japanese were not allowed to go abroad.
- Ships large enough to make long voyages could no longer be built and existing ones were destroyed.
- Japanese who were out of the country were forbidden to return.
- Most foreign objects were forbidden. All foreign books containing a Christian message were banned; scientific books were forbidden.
- In addition, the shogunate tightened controls on movement within Japan; People needed to get special documents to travel from one domain to another, a curfew was instituted to keep people from moving around at night, and wheeled transport was banned.
4
Q
Foreign influence on Japan;
Dutch scholars
A
- Dutch traders were part of the Exclusion laws. They were considered less threatening because they were interested in trade, not religion. Once a year they were required to make an expensive trip to Edo to pay respect to the Shogun and stay for three months.
- In Edo officials asked the Dutch questions about the west, about the current events and developments in medicine.
- The Shogun had a small number of Japanese scholars along with the sons of samurai to learn about Dutch medicine and language.
5
Q
Economic growth;
Farms
A
- Farmers increased production of crops by irrigating and growing two crops on the same piece of land during the growing season.
6
Q
Economic growth;
Merchant class
A
- The yearly trip that the Daimyo needed to take was long and expensive. On the road he needed some assistance and food. Merchants and artisans would often cater to his needs. This happened so often that artisans and merchants would set up a small shop at the side of the road to provide services to the travelers.
7
Q
Economic growth;
Road Networks
A
Road networks were established for the Daimyo when he would take his trip to Edo, Japan every two years.
8
Q
Economic growth;
Money
A
During this era Merchants would be in charge of the money. Japan started using gold and silver coins instead of rice so merchants were in charge of converting that rice into coins and money.
9
Q
Economic growth;
population
A
The population in cities grew.
10
Q
Japan’s Metropolises;
Edo
A
- Edo, Japan was chosen as the capital of Japan because so that they could trade easily by sea with Kyoto and Osaka for high-quality goods, including fabrics, sake, and soy sauce.
- Edo is a good port that can easily be defended.
- Edo was the center of the Shogun’s military government.
- At times, there were over 250 daimyo, along with their families and servants, living in Edo. The land directly behind the castle was reserved for the upper classes, while low-lying areas by the sea were for the working classes.
- Artisans and merchants came from all parts of Japan to cater to their needs and the needs of the shogun and his government.
- By the 18th century, the city grew to over 1 000 000 people, making it one of the largest cities in the world. To sustain the city’s growth, the Bakufu initiated new policies that would allow for greater production and trade in non-agricultural areas.
- As the city grew, the Bakufu had to learn how to deal with providing services, such as fire prevention and police protection, and supplying utilities, such as water, to an ever-increasing population.
11
Q
Japan’s Metropolises;
Kyoto
A
- Was the capital of Japan before the central government moved to Edo.
- The city’s location was chosen because it had easy river access to the sea and was at the junction of land routes through mountain passes. The city was surrounded by mountains, which offered good defense against attacks. Being further south and surrounded by mountains made the summers very hot, and the mountain slopes were excellent for growing quality tea and mulberry leaves to feed silkworms.
- The city was known for its refinement and the production of beautiful luxury items such as silk brocades, fine lacquer, and metal work.
- Kyoto was also the center of publishing and became known for its woodblock printing and for beautifully decorated and detailed maps of Kyoto and other cities in Japan.
12
Q
Japan’s Metropolises;
Osaka
A
- developed around a very protected harbor. Ships from China and Ryukyu Islands, southwest of Japan, could easily dock there.
- Osaka became the center of the Japanese economy. It was famous for its castle, which was a Buddhist temple, and the 150 bridges that crossed its rivers and moats.
- Osaka also had wonderful markets and was called the “kitchen of Japan” even before the Edo Era.
Areas of good farmland surrounded the city. - The daimyo transported their surplus rice to sell in Osaka and it became the center of the rice market in Japan.
13
Q
Popular Culture;
Floating worlds
A
- A place where men could go to relax after they were done with their responsibilities.
- Cultural activities like Kabuki and Noh took place here.
14
Q
Popular Culture;
Kabuki Theatre
A
- It featured lively action, wild plots, and elaborate costumes and make-up. It was a mirror of Japanese life and it often focused on domestic dramas that depicted moral dilemmas such as the conflict between obligation and happiness.
- The first kabuki was performed in 1607 by a woman named Okini.
- The Bakufu believed public morality was being corrupted by female actresses and in 1629, banned females from the stage. From then on, all parts in the plays were portrayed by males.
15
Q
Popular Culture;
Banraku Theatre
A
- these puppet plays were for adults, not children.
- One of the first groups of puppeteers was named Banraku. Their name came to be used to describe this type of entertainment.
- Both Banraku and kabuki were performed only by non-humans.
