Japanese FeudalSystem
Shoguns, Daimyo and Samurai
What is a feudal system?
Feudalism = A system of obligationsthat bound lords and their subjects to aking or leader. In theory, the king ownedall or most of the land and gave it to hisleading nobles in return for their loyaltyand military service. Under feudalism,people were born with a permanentposition in society.
What was life like outsidethe Heian Court?
Outside of the emperor’s influence (andnotice) Japan was chaotic anddangerous.
Powerful nobles fought each other for land.
Rebels fought against imperial officials.
Peasants grew poorer and some turned tocrime.
How did feudalism develop?
With the emperor distracted by life at court,large landowners decided they needed toprotect their own lands.
These landowners (daimyo) hired professionalwarriors (samurai).
Some daimyo decided to take power forthemselves (from the emperor).
After a long war between two rival families, theMinamoto clan leader took the title of shogun.The shogun was a military leader who ruled inthe emperor’s name.
Japanese Feudal Society
Emperor – The emperor was a figurehead forthe powerful shogun.
Shogun – A powerful military leader, theshogun ruled in the emperor’s name.
Daimyo and Samurai – Daimyo were powerfullords who often led armies of samurai. Samuraiwarriors served the shogun and daimyo.
Peasants – Most Japanese were poorpeasants who had no power.
Shogun Daimyo
Samurai Facts
Samurai means “servant”.
Samurai wore light armor made of clothinterwoven with metal strips.
Samurai fought with swords and bows. Allsamurai carried two swords.
A samurai inherited his position from his father.There were very limited opportunities formovement between classes.
Samurai were paid with land or food for theirservice.
Samurai Facts (continued)
Samurai lived by a code of honor called“Bushido” or “the way of the warrior”.
The most important behavior for a samurai wasto serve his lord loyally.
Bushido teaches that a samurai must alwayslive with honor. A samurai who brought himselfdishonor often committed suicide.
Other important traits include: bravery and selfdiscipline.
Ninja vs. Samurai