When the Heian Period finished in 1185AD as the last of the Classical Period, Medieval Japan was formed. Medieval Japan has a large history which ranged from 1185 to 1600. Warfare and destruction characterize medieval Japan, where samurai warriors were one of the significant ranks in the country. Buddism was a significant part of Japanese culture, and a major influence in its long history. It consisted of many eras depending on the family in rule; Kamakura Period (1185-1333), Muromachi (1336-1573), Azuchi–Momoyama (1568-1603), Edo (1603-1868). With this long and vast history, Japan is very interesting with lost of great information!
|
POLITICAL HISTORY Medieval Japan had a very distinct and interesting political structure in its society. While the emperor remained as the face of the ruler, Japanese was actually run by the shogunates and aristocratic families. The imperial court were treated royally and remained in place but they had no significant power regarding Japan’s rule. Instead, shoguns played a very big role in ruling Japan. Shoguns were the general of Japanese military armies (samurais). In medieval times, Japan was in warfare and destruction which led to the rapid growth and popularity of samurais. This also caused to the rise in power of military generals; Minamoto no Yoritomo was the founder of Japanese shogunate which was founded in early Kamakura to late Heian period. He was the first to begin ruling feudal japan with associated noble families and other daimyos- we currently have his Tachi in our exhibition! The shoguns government was called a bakufu which translates to tent government. Aristocratic families were also a central part of Japan’s social and political history. Large and powerful families often fought to gain control of the imperial court. Along with the shogunates, the most dominant clan would rule Japan. |
SOCIAL HISTORY Social Japan was divided into a hierarchy with a four-tier system. At the top were the emperor and the imperial court along with high ranking noble families and shogunates. Below, were the peasants who consisted of farmers, craftsmen and merchants. This hierarchy was based on wealth and status. While the Imperial court possessed no actual power, they were still a large part of Japanese social history. The aristocratic families and other noble people focused their lives around this court. They lived very comfortable and luxurious lives. These noble families were very superficial and were portrayed to only care about their wealth and rank of status. They led comfortable lives only focused on their emperor, breeding and leisure. They were part of the highest ranking classes in the Feudal Japan. Although samurais were only around 10% of Japanese society, they were largely respected by the people and had lost of power. Members of lower ranks were required to bow down passing samurais. If they failed to do so, samurais were given permission to cut off their heads. Samurais only answered to their daimyos (powerful warlords) who in turn only answered to their shogunates. Daimyos were incredibly wealthy and often owned their own castles and large areas of land. Next on the hierarchy were the farmers. While most societies of that time considered them to be the lowest ranking group, Confucius’ ideals considered famers to be quite higher as they were important in providing the food for Japan and was thought to be quite respectable. However, despite being an honoured class, they were heavily taxed on. Artisans were considered the following class. While many were particularly skilled and produced many beautiful utensils, clothes and woodblock prints, they were still below the famers on the hierarchy. Even artisans who were produced exceptional samurai swords, they still belonged to this lowly class. Artisans lived in their own segregated areas of large cities or the daimyo’s castles. At the bottom of the four-tier system were the merchants. They were often criticized at “parasites” who made their living from other productive classes. They were required to live in separate sections from other classes and the higher ranks were not to mix with them unless on buisness matters. However, despite being heavily looked down on, merchant families were quite wealthy. With their growth in their finance, they were slowly more accepted to society and the restrictions against them were lessened. There were also classes and occupations that determined people to be actually below the four-tier system. This consisted of taboo subjects like geishas, prostitutes, executioners, butchers, tanners and descendants of slaves. These people were considered to be dirty and unclean. |
CULTURAL HISTORY Due to being torn by war and conflicts, religion was a big influence on the citizens of Japan during the medieval period. While religion was usually for higher classes, it reached all levels of the Japanese public in Feudal Japan and most were considered to be Buddhists, Shintoists or both. Shinto was the indigenous religion of Japan. It was a nature based religion and thought to have come from the over powering effect of common natural disasters in Japan such as tsunamis and earthquakes. The Shinto deity were called kami and were sacred spirits that took the form and concepts in human life like trees and winds. It was believed that humans were fundamentally good and would become kamis after they died. The Japanese also believed that misfortune was created by evil spirits, to keep them away, they performed Shinto rituals like purifications, offerings and prayers to the kami. Kamis were very respected and were thought to have lived in Shinto shrines. Buddhism was another central religion in Japan; rising in the feudal period after being introduced in the 6th century. They originally had conflict with the Shinto religion, but they eventually learned to co-exist. Zen Buddhism- the particular sect that was found most common in medieval times- was the body of persons adhering to a particular religious faith and was introduced in 1191. The Zen teaching encouraged and taught self enlightening through self discipline and meditation. Their theories were that the human’s lives were full of sufferings caused by death, illnesses and loss of loved ones. It was believed that by removing desires and attachment, self-enlightening could be achieved. Zen Buddhism particularly affected the military class of feudal Japan. Samurais, being masters of discipline and conduct, found these theories and practical approaches especially pleasing. Zen monks even rose in political influence as the religion grew. Many monasteries were educational centres as well as being religious. While Zen Buddhism was a religion, many people consider it to be philosophical due to its approaches on life. Japanese food seen today is not too different to what was consumed back then. Fish, rice and vegetables were a main part of their meals back then as they are now. Japan’s exquisite aesthetics and preparations of their food is thought to have been from Zen Buddhism where even simple activities like preparing meals were considered to be spiritual commitment. Entertainment was also popular during feudal Japan. A sources of this was Noh, a theatre that some Japanese citizens attended to watch storytelling, juggling, and acrobatics, harvest ritual music and dance. Kyogen was also performed which were humorous skits. Art was also a main part of medieval Japan where they practiced painting, pottery, statues, gardening, flower arranging, calligraphy and woodblock printing. Through these, the Japanese’s appreciation for beauty and nature can be clearly seen. |