Samurai/Kamakura

Question 1

describe the origin of samurai

Answer 1

originally means servant, but served as warrior of nobles
- appeared during the Heian period: 1/2 of country fighting
- serves as master-servant relationship
word origin: tsuwamono, heishi, mononofu, bushi
served as: guards, wealthy farmers, militia, police, tax collectors, hungers

Question 2

Describe the Genpei war and the role samurai played in it

Answer 2

major conflict in the 9th century between T+M

• allegiances lead to wars: origin of Kamakura period
• early 9th c: many non inheriting sons of emperors give glen name either Taira to Minamoto
• warriors rushed the capital bc they wanted to be part of gov’t

Question 3

Who were the Taira clan descendant of?

Answer 3

Kanmu

AKA Heishi, Heiki

Question 4

Who were the Minamoto descendants of?

Answer 4

Seiwa
AKA Genji
minamoto no Tsunetomo was its founder

Question 5

What was Kyoto’s political background around the Kamakura period?

Answer 5

retired emperors era
- no longer in power
imperial court factions of aristocrats form around emperor
fujiwara clan: powerful aristocratic clan

Question 6

Who was Minamoto no Yoritomo?

Answer 6

eldest child of Minamoto Yoshimoto - banished by Taira
gets declaration from GoShirakwara that he has authority to appoint provincial military governors (shugo) and estate policemen (jito) in parts of japan
became 1st shogun in power with complete authority

Question 7

Describe the Battle of Danoura

Answer 7

famous naval battle between the Minamoto and Taira clans

• Minamoto yoshitsune defeated Taira forces
• youshitsune - greatest warrior to have ever been
• final defeat of Taira

Question 8

What were the periods that followed Yoritomo’s establishment of military gov’t (bakufu)?

Answer 8

• Kamakura period (1185-1333): military gov’t under Minamoto and Hoju
• Kenmu’s restoration (1333-1336): short imperial coup
• Muromachi period (1336-1573): rule of Shikaga shogunate
• warring states period (1467-1600): imitated by Onin war

Question 9

What are shoen (aristocratic estates)?

Answer 9

lands are no longer taxable
- controlled by chieftains, hired protection for land
elaborate system with lord-vassal relationship
- tax exempt, but charged them for living @ manor
estate taxmen, policeman, managers