Making Of Modern Day Japan Flashcards
What does the Japanese expression ‘Shinokoshu’ mean?
‘Shinokosho’ means samurai (shi), farmer (no), artisan, merchant (ko-sho) in order of social hierarchy
Can you name all 8 sections of the pyramid on social hierarchy?
Emperor, Shogun, Daimyo, Samurai, Ronin, Peasants (90% of population), Artisans, Merchants
What was the Emperors role in the social hierarchy?
The empower held the highest status, the Emperor had very little actual power. He was however an important religious leader and lived a rich, artistic life
What was the Shoguns role in social hierarchy?
The Shogun was the Emporers leading general and effective rule of Japan. They were in charge of distributing land in return for military taxes
What was the Daimyo’s role in social hierarchy?
The Shogun ruled over the Daimyo who were the landowners, they were allowed to rule over provinces in exchange for swearing an oath of loyalty to the Shogun. Each Daimyo earned money through taxing peasants
What was the Samurai’s role in social hierarchy?
The Samurai were warriors who swore an oath of loyalty to the Daimyo in exchange for being able to control small parts of land. They wore plain, dark clothing. Samurai warriors gained the right to wear 2 swords
What was the Farmers role in social hierarchy?
Peasants were the largest group in society and took up 90% of Japanese population at the time. Most peasants were farmers but some were also woodcutters, mine workers and fishermen. Farmers were viewed as an essential part of society as they provided most food
What were the Craftsmen and Merchants role in social hierarchy?
Artisans social status was so low as they didn’t make anything at all, the lived by trading rice and selling items other people had produced or by charging interest on money (Merchants). Despite their low social status meta hints could become very wealth
What does the title of ‘Samurai’ mean?
Samurai literally means ‘the one who serves’
Samurai armour had to be in harmony with the 5 natural elements which were…
Wood, fire, earth, metal and water
What did samurai warriors go into battle wearing?
Kimono
What is Kimono?
Kimono are the colourful robes in which samurai warrior would wear into battle. It was made from heavy armour and rows of small metal plates Coates and laced together with colourful silk cards
Where were the knots supposed to be tied on Kimono?
All the knots on kimono armour were to be tied at the back to resemble the living tying knots at the front was for the dead
What else did samurai warriors wear into battle?
The samurai also wear ferocious looking iron masks that were meant to frighten their opponent and protect their face
What weapons did samurai warriors fight with?
They fought with bows and arrows, spears, and swords
What was so amazing about samurai bows?
They could be up to 8 feet long and took great strength to carry
What were the 2 types of swords samurai carried?
To fight they used a long sword with a curved blade and a shorter sword was used for cutting off the heads of enemies
What were 2 details about samurai swords that made them so important?
Wearing a sword was a privilege and right of the samurai. Swords were also passed down through generations of warrior and given as prizes to loyal warriors
What was unique about the samurai way of fighting?
Before a war was due to start, NINJA, part of the samurais special forces would be sent out to draw a map and gather information on the battle field and enemy generals such as their crests and family connections.
What else were the NINJA in charge of?
Some of the NINJA were also ordered to stay within the enemy area in order to sabotage their population and spread propaganda
What had to happen in order for a samurai battle to commence?
Both sides were to shout out their names, ancestors and heroic deeds on,y then did the armies charge
How would samurai fight in one-on-one duels?
Each samurai would find an opponent who matched his rank and try knock him off his horse, wrestle him to the ground and slit his throat
What happened after a battle?
After a battle the winning side would cut off the heads of their opponents they had killed, heads were identified as rewards in form of land allowances which became greater the higher rank of soldier killed.
What was it that caused Tokugawa to essentially lock down Japan?
Spread of Christianity
In what year did the Shogun outlaw Western leaders from entering Japan and made it illegal for Japanese people to leave the country?
1633
In what year was Christianity officially banned in Japan?
1637
What does ‘SAKOKU’ mean?
SAKOKU means ‘country in chains’