Political Features- Shogunate Japan Flashcards
What was mikado?
Heavenly sovereign, emperor who was the head of the government
Who had the highest authority in Shinto?
The emperor
Who was the first emperor?
Jimmu, he was a direct descendent of the sun goddess Amaterasu
Jimmu became emperor in what year?
660BC
True or false
Medieval sovereigns could be male or female during the Nara court base
True, half of the sovereigns were women
In the 8th CenturyAD, who dominated, women or men?
Women
What were the two parts to the government in Shogunate Japan?
Spirituality and financial administration
What did the spirituality do in Shogunate Japan?
They oversaw religion and all religious sacrifices connected with the worship of Kami. They advised the emperor on suitable days to travel, make a big decision or start a new building.
What was the spiritualitys job in Shogunate Japan?
To interpret the meaning behind unusual events and determine the will of the spirits. For example, if an earthquake struck or a comet came, it would be interpreted by them and explained to the rest if the country.
What did the financial administration do in a Shogunate Japan?
They oversaw taxes and laws. They divided Japan into approximately 60 provinces each with a different governor and collected taxes for the emperor.
Who was initially looked down on by members of the imperial court?
Samurai, they were first seen as uncivil but then rose to rule Japan.
What were samurai?
They were professional soldiers of feudal Japan.
Where did the samurai live?
They lived in bushido and they were strongly based on Confucian ideas.
What were some of the samurais values?
They stressed honour, respect of elders, loyalty to ones master and self-discipline
What did the samurai wear?
The wore armour that was made of many small pieces of leather or metal, they were lacquered together like scales to provide protection and flexibility.
What were samurai experts at?
They were experts with a range of weapons including, long and short swords, bows and spears
What would samurai commit if they were defeated, disobedient or unable to complete their lords orders?
They would commit seppuku. Seppuku was a way of demonstrating he was worthy of regaining honour. He would plunge a sword into his lower abdomen and cut upwards, disembowelling himself
What happened in 1184?
The Minamoto daimyo United and attacked the imperial court.
Who was minamoto yoritomo?
He started ruling from 1147-1199, he became the shogun and became the military ruler over Japan.
What was a sign of power and honour?
Samurai swords
What happened in the 16th century to the samurai?
Lower classes were banned from possessing weapons and only the samurai were allowed to carry two swords and it became their trade mark.
