Japan under the shoguns Flashcards
What was happening in Japan from the 1460s to the 1560s?
Japan was divided into small territories, leading to constant conflicts among daimyo for power.
Who started to gain control in the mid-1550s of Japan?
General Oda Nobunaga began to assert control over territories during the mid-1550s.
Who is Oda Nobunaga?
Nobunaga was the son of a minor daimyo and was known for his tactical skills and ruthless fighting style.
What was introduced that helped Nobunaga’s reign in power?
Firearms, introduced by the Portuguese, enhanced his military strategies and helped him gain power.
When did Nobunaga take Kyoto?
1568
What happened to Nobunaga in 1582?
Nobunaga was betrayed and attacked in a temple, choosing to commit suicide instead of being held alive.
How many soldiers were in Nobunaga’s army at its peak?
At its peak, Nobunaga commanded an army of approximately 250,000 soldiers.
What sort of power did the emperor have?
The power of the emperor was just symbolic, he had no real power.
What restrictions did the Tokugawa Ieyasu place on the daimyo?
Daimyo needed shogun approval to marry, could not build new castles, and had samurai limits.
How much land did Tokugawa shogun Ieyasu control?
The Tokugawa shoguns controlled about 25% of Japan’s land.
What was the alternate residence system?
Daimyo had to spend every other year in Edo with the shogun to prevent rebellion.
Why were most bridges destroyed?
Most bridges were destroyed to control the movement of daimyo and limit their travel.
Why were peasants considered important in Japan’s social system?
Peasants were important because they produced the food essential for life.
What items did farmers make and trade at the market?
Farmers made and traded food, miso, soy sauce, and handmade goods for necessary items.
What items did farmers buy from craftsmen, and what was the main currency in this system?
Farmers bought barrels, tools, pottery, and cloth, using rice as their main currency. (koku)
Why were merchants considered the lowest class, and how did they earn a living?
Merchants were the lowest class because they had no real talent, they earned money by selling goods at markets.
What are the eta and hinin, what roles did they have outside the class system, and how were they treated?
The eta worked in leather and butchering, while the hinin were actors and scavengers, both facing discrimination.
What was the significance of the samurai sword in their role?
The samurai sword symbolized their military role and was worn only by samurai.
How did the roles of samurai change during the Tokugawa period?
Samurai shifted from being just warriors to taking on administrative duties and learning literacy and ceremonies.
What is Bushido, and what is the samurai’s main duty?
Bushido is the samurai code, and their main duty is loyalty to their daimyo.
How did samurai prepare for battle mentally?
Samurai practiced Zen Buddhism to clear their minds and gain control over their thoughts and emotions.
