Medieval Japan - Impacts of Nara and Heian

Question 1

When did the Nara period start and end?

Answer 1

710 - 794 CE

Question 2

When did the Heian period start and end?

Answer 2

794 - 1156 CE

Question 3

What were the 4 things introduced by the Medival Japan from the Heian and Nara periods?

Answer 3

1. A centralized government
2. Buddhism
3. Taiho code
4. New capitals

Question 4

What is a centralized government? (2)

Answer 4

1. Where a central group or small group of individuals rule
2. Power is at the top

Question 5

What is the Taiho Code? (2)

Answer 5

1. Administrative and penal (punishment) code
2. Helped establish the central government

Question 6

What would new capitals do for Medival Japan?

Answer 6

Better supplies and communication

Question 7

When was the Genpei war?

Answer 7

1180 - 1185 CE

Question 8

What was the Genpai war? (2)

Answer 8

1. Civil war between Taira and Minamoto clans during the Heian period
2. Led to Kamukara shogunate

Question 9

When was Japan ruled by an emperor?

Answer 9

From the 6th century to the 12th century Japan was ruled by an emperor

Question 10

What is an emperor?

Answer 10

Emperor = head of state (like a monarch, king, etc)

Question 11

Who did the emperor rely on to maintain his power?

Answer 11

The emperor maintained his power during the Heian period with support from the daimyo

Question 12

What is a daimyo?

Answer 12

the lords or nobles who were sent out to manage provinces

Question 13

What are Bushi?

Answer 13

warriors

Question 14

What are Samurais?

Answer 14

people owing services

Question 15

How did a daimyo become rich?

Answer 15

They became rich from crops grown on their estates and the taxes they collected

Question 16

What did the daimyos do when power weakened?

Answer 16

Some powerful daimyos took the opportunity to try and seize power

Question 17

In what century did power weaken for the emperor?

Answer 17

12th century

Question 18

What made it hard for the Emperor to keep power?

Answer 18

Lots of fighting and natural disasters made it hard for the emperor to keep power

Question 19

How many years of fighting occurred between warlords and their followers and from what dates to the end?

Answer 19

30 years of fighting (1156 - 1185)

Question 20

What is a warlord?

Answer 20

A warlord is a strong leader able to exercise military, economic, and political control over a territory because of their ability to mobilize loyal armed forces.