Feudalism in Japan

Question 1

Feudalism began during the ______ Era (300-710).

Answer 1

Kofun Era

Question 2

During the ________ Era, a hereditar military aristocracy arose in the Japanese provinces.

Answer 2

Heian Era

Question 3

What does “shoen” refer to in feudalistic Japan?

Answer 3

land or landed estates

Question 4

Who owned “shoens”?

Answer 4

Kyoto aristocrats

Question 5

What was the Taira-Minamoto War or Genpei War?

Answer 5

War against 2 clans.

The Taira and the Minamoto were clans in Japan that were influential is picking the new emperor. The war started when the Minamoto supported a different candidate for the throne than the Taira.

Question 6

What is a “shogun”?

Answer 6

a hereditary commander-in-chief in feudal Japan.

Because of the military power concentrated in his hands and the consequent weakness of the nominal head of state (the mikado or emperor), the shogun was generally the real ruler of the country until feudalism was abolished in 1867.

Question 7

What was the Kamakura Shogunate?

Answer 7

A Japanese feudal military government.

The heads of the government were the shoguns. The first three were members of the Minamoto clan. The next two were members of the Fujiwara clan. The last six were minor Imperial princes.

Question 8

What was a “shugo?”

Answer 8

Provincial governors

Question 9

What was a “damyo”?

Answer 9

(in feudal Japan) one of the great lords who were vassals of the shogun.

Question 10

What does “bushido” refer to?

Answer 10

Code of chivalry and the principles of Neo-Confucianism

Question 11

What does “chonin” refer to?

Answer 11

Merchant class in Feudal Japan