questions Flashcards
What is the difference between a shugo daimyo and a daimyo?
The shugo daimyos were appointed by the central government and had more limited powers, while daimyos were powerful lords who ruled their territories with more autonomy.
What are two physical features of the region that were and still are unfriendly to human habitation
Mountains and seismic activities
What are two climatic features of the region that were and still are unfriendly to human habitation
Earthquakes and tsunamis
Do you think the edge of the eurasian tectonic plate lies along the east or west coast of Japan?
The edge of the eurasian tectonic plates lies on the east coast of Japan.
What are three geographical features that would have led to Japanese people identifying more strongly with their local region than with Japan as whole?
- The amount of mountains throughout the central part of japan would make it difficult to travel.
- Japan is surrounded by the ocean making it hard to travel
- The amount of volcanoes in Japan make certain areas unsafe to be in.
Why do you think the first migrants from South East Asia settled at kyushu?
Kyushu is closer and doesn’t have much distance from the neighbouring countries. The altitude in Kyushu is lower than in the central parts of japan.
Why do you think the first government in this region reflected Chinese rather than slavic (Russian ancestry) traditions?
Nara was the first capital in Japan and was highly influenced by Chinese culture. The influence of Buddhism, Confucianism was based on the T’sang Dynasty model.
Nihon, meaning ‘sun origin’, is the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese name for the region. Explain how this name relates to the map.
Nihon means the sun’s origin, or where the sun originates, which is often translated to Land of the rising sun. It often refers to Japan’s eastern position relative to China.
Compared with many countries Japan is quite small, yet it was difficult for a central government to control the entire region until modern times. Why might this be so?
Having begun with the rise of the feudal Tokugawa Shogunate in 1603, the Edo period saw changes within Japan whilst still having a very strong class system, which placed restrictions on education, which shows us Japan was far from free until a central government came into place.
How did physical and climatic features lead to rice and seafood being important in the japanese?
Due to geographical features farming was very difficult in japan. Seafood would have been a main source of protein in Japan as it is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Japan did not have livestock. Japan’s mild and humid climate makes it very easy to grow rice. Rice is their main source of carbs
What did peasants/farmers have to do? What did they get in return?
Peasant Farmers were responsible for growing the food crops that fed the country. Making silk, paper, and pottery were common side jobs for them. In order to feed the population, the government would tax the peasants with rice and land. They had a duty to pay taxes to their daimyo or lord in the form of the crops they produced in return for the use of the land, a place to live, and defence from raids and invasions.
How did the shogun or emperor benefit from giving land to the daimyo?
In feudal Japan, giving land to the daimyo benefited both the shogun and emperor. The shogun relied on the daimyo’s loyalty and military support to maintain his authority, while the emperor retained his power by granting land and requiring tribute. This system helped stabilise a nation in a time of political instability and civil wars.
Not everyone in Japanese society fitted into this structure. Merchants, craftspeople and some people who worked in ‘unclean’ occupations (such as butchers) were not included. Why do you think these groups were excluded? (Hint: Look at what people gave and what they received in return.
In feudal Japan, the exclusion of merchants, craftspeople, and individuals in “unclean” occupations such as butchers from the feudal structure was influenced by the society’s cultural and social values. The social hierarchy was based on “bunbu ryodo,” with samurais at the top, followed by farmers and artisans. Craftsmen manufactured items needed for daily life but were regarded as less important than the job of samurais or farmers. Merchants, because they did not produce anything and instead traded items made by others, were viewed as working in a “non-productive” occupation. Due to the significant influence of Shintoism and Buddhism, which placed a high priority on ritual purity and cleanliness, people working in “unclean” occupations like butchers were forbidden.
What was the main reason for the last three groups having a low social status?
Their jobs were those designated as “unclean” by Buddhist and Shinto standards - they worked as butchers, tanners, and executioners. Their jobs were tainted by their association with death
Like actors, priests also had a low social status. Why do you think this was so?
Priests were not always regarded as being of low social standing in ancient Japan. The power of the Buddhist clergy, however, decreased throughout the Kamakura period as a result of the rise of warrior clans and the growth of other religious organisations. The religious leaders also lost their freedom and autonomy during the Edo period as a result of government efforts intended to control the activities of Buddhist temples, which contributed to their decreased social status.
