Japan

Geography

-The islands of Japan were under sea mountains.

- 20% of Japan is flat.

-Because of their mountains many people built houses by sea.

-The Japanese diet was seafood such as fish, seaweed, squid, etc.

Social Structure

-Emperor( figurehead for Shogun )

-Shogun ( military leaders)

-Samurai and Daimyo (warriors and lords)

-Peasants (poor and had no power)

Religion

- Shinto was the original religion of Japan

- Shinto based off of nature

- In Shinto every thing in nature had a spirit

- Shinto was the religion until Prince Shotoku converted all of Japan to Buddhism

- Over time Japan invented new types of Buddhism such as Pure Land Buddhism and in the 1100’s they created Zen Buddhism

Art and Culture

- Japan reached a golden age during Heian period or the peaceful period during the 800’s to the 1100’s

- Nobles created a court system because the wanted to win the emperor’s favor

- A woman from the noble class named Lady Murasaki is believed to of written the first novel, The Tale of Genji

- Nobles took care of how they spoke and wrote- Many women wrote diaries and journals - Many of the greatest works were written by women

Japanese Military Society

- In Japan they had Shogun which were powerful military leaders that ruled In the emperors name

- Daimyo were lords that hired Samurai to fight for them and in exchange they got land

- Samurai were professional warriors that served Shogun and Daimyo in exchange the got land

Samurai

- Samurai were well trained warriors that served in battle for Shogun or hired by Daimyo to protect crops from invaders

- Samurai followed a code called Bushido( The way of the warrior)

- Many Samurai after war to calm them and to bring peace would carve Haikus on trees

- Samurai also practiced Zen Buddhism

Language

- The first Japanese writing used Chinese characters

- They eventually made their own writing system

Japan at War

- Mongols after defeating China Mongols invaded Japan

- Kublai Khan sent his army of Mongols to invade Japan the shogun acted fast and sent his own army to fight against the Mongols

- Japan was aided by a massive storm that sank many Mongolian ships

The end of Medieval Japan

- Many Japanese leaders wanted more power soon in the 1500's war broke out as many leaders struggle to rule Japan

- Japan went into an Isolation period an this ended Medieval Japan