Kamakura Period Flashcards
Jito
A provincial power created in the Late Heian and Early Kamakura Period. Essentially meaning “Military stewart”, it was an inherited position that was in charge of managing lands and production of the Shoen. It was Alternative to absentee landlord- which was a prevalent issue in the Heian Period. These Military stewarts were warriors and didn’t answer to anyone but the Shogunate, so they were seen as lawless. They had their own armies to defend the shoes.
Shugo
A provincial power created in the Late Heian and Early Kamakura period. Essentially meaning “Military Governor”, they were the coordinators of vassals that were loyal to the Kamakura Shogunate. They were in charge of policing regions, many of which are shoens, and were adjacent to the judicial system. This mean they were both governor and police. Shugo’s assigned to one shoen would’ve been from another to limit corruption
Explain the context behind the Buddhism of the Kamakura period
The Heian Court was in decline, The Genpei War had a lasting affect, Jito lawlessness, loss of main buddhism centers
How does Kamakura Buddhism differ from Nara and Heian Period Buddhism?
Kamakura Buddhist movements tailored their ideas and goals to the concerns of the populace
at large
Most new sects of Buddhism are said to come from where?
Tendai Buddhism
Legacy of Yorimoto
Yoritomo appointed Shogun 192 but resigned 1195. This was a position he didn’t want in the first place but his wife and her family the Fujiwara decided differently. He became a Utaisho, commander of the inner palace guard. Kanezane and Yoritomo had a feud when Yoritmoto wanted his daughter to be a consort of the emperor, but Kanezane’s daughter was already a consort. Didn’t matter in the end when Yorimoto’s daughter died
Hiki and Hōjō
Hiki and Tojo were the families in charge of the Kamakura Shogunate. But due to the issues between Kanezane and Yoritmoto, Hiki would be removed and Hojo remained in charge of the Shogunate
Who was the founder of Pure Land Buddhism?
Hōnen
Traits of Pure Land Buddhism
on the assumption of Mappō: Human beings are foolish/wrongdoings. Say Nembutsu as many times as possible. There no longer and student-master relationship (head-adherent), those involved in the construction of temples became dominant figures
What were the opinions of new age Buddhism from the Shoguns and Old forms of Buddhism?
The Shogunal authorities would often persecute those who followed the new sects of Buddhism. There was major resistance from the established schools of Buddhism
Traits of True Pure Land Buddhism
Founded by Shinran. Repeated Nembutsu unnecessary, but people are free to constantly give thanks to Amida. Tried to adapt his practices to the lower class (more so than Hōnen)
Similar traits behind Pure Land and True Pure Land Buddhism?
Indirect product of the decline in social mobility in Heian aristocracy, they adapted to. commoners (such as
peasant farmers), they had Redefinitions of Shinto kami in light Kamakura Buddhism, Emphasize the difference
between this-world and otherworld
When did the Kamakura period start?
1185 – 1333
Summary of Zen Buddhism
Main persons: Eisai (1141-1215) and Dōgen (1200-1253), Enlightenment (satori) through meditation, Two sects: Rinzai and Sōtō, The world as illusionary, Personal enlightenment (instead of mass belief), Uses tools like kōan (riddles), popular among the warrior class, and Hojo regents were enthusiastic patrons of Zen Buddhism
Summary of Nicherin Buddhism
Founded by Nichiren, Ultimate religious truth lay with the Lotus Sutra, the basic text of Mahayana Buddhism, Call forth the name of the Lotus Sutra, often faced persecution from Shogunate Authorities
