Feudalism in Japan

 

Feudalism in Japan existed for quite some time but the distinction between the classes was not as clear until the Tokugawa Shogunate took power.  When did Tokugawa become shogun?  What was the name of the government formed?  Who were the lowest members in the class system (disregarding the eta and executioners)?

 

Examples of student-generated questions can be found at the bottom of this page - CLICK HERE.

 

Watch the following video on Bushido and the Feudal System. 

                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

 

Bushido 武士道

 

The following series of quotes should help you have a better understanding of the unwritten code called "bushido".  It must be acknowledged though that there is a lot of debate about how long this modern term has existed, the number of samurai that actually abided by it, and even the existence of bushido.   

                                                                          

"The moral code of bushido can be summed up in many different ways, but basically it is this: the inferior is always loyal to his superior; the superior was expected to show benevolence to his inferior.  Loyalty and benevolence.  A daimyo-samurai relationship; wife-husband; apprentice-master; tenant-landlord" (Lehmann, 1982, p.84).    

 

“The desire to right a wrong is universal.  To the samurai, revenging a wron g done one’s country (clan), liege lord (daimyo), parent, or otherwise superior was often his sole means of realizing justice in an unjust world; and it was always his responsibility as demanded by the unwritten code which governed his very life.” (Hillsborough, 2010, p.13).

 

“To the samurai, degree of courage was not measured by one’s readiness to draw one’s sword, nor was fearlessness or blind bravery qualities of a truly courageous ma. Courage, rather, was a quality inseparably from strength of mind and fortitude of spirit.” (Hillsborough, 2010, p.23).

 

“To the samurai, degree of courage was not measured by one’s readiness to draw one’s sword, nor was fearlessness or blind bravery qualities of a truly courageous ma. Courage, rather, was a quality inseparably from strength of mind and fortitude of spirit.” (Hillsborough, 2010, p.23).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions from students

After a basic introduction to the topics of the Feudalism and Bushido, here are some examples of questions that arose from 13 year old students (Year 8 in Australia).  They are excellent examples of where discussions could lead, or mini-research projects.

 

Why did they use people (like slaves) to carry around the leaders in carts (palanquins) instead of using horses?

 

Why were the people so clean?

 

Did the citizens ever fight back or disobey the leaders?

 

Why do you think the daimyos all obeyed Ieyasu?

 

How did Tokugawa Ieyasu control all of the daimyos in all of the han, when they were equally power hungry?

 

Did the shogun ever send any diplomats overseas?

 

Once you were allocated a certain position in the feudal system, could you change?

 

If you were a certain gender or race, would that affect your position in the feudal system?

 

What caused Japan to be split into so many different clans?

 

What is the story behind the origins of ‘different’ type of Japanese people on the island of Hokkaido?

 

How did Japan become such a ruthless nation in WW2?

 

How much political power did the emperor have? Could he override the shogun's decisions?

 

What was the thinking behind closing off Japan from the rest of the world?

 

Why and how was the feudal system introduced to Japan?

 

How did western influences change Japanese warfare and society?

 

How did the Japanese decide which western country to trade with and what were the major trading supplies?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REFERENCES

 

Brinkley, F., & Kikuchi, D. (1915). A history of the Japanese people from the earliest times to the end of the Meiji era. New York: Encyclopædia Britannica Co..

 

Hillsborough, R. (2010). Samurai tales: Courage, fidelity and revenge in the final years of the shogun. Rutland, Vt: Tuttle Pub..

 

Lehmann, J. (1982). The roots of modern Japan. New York: St. Martin's Press