Samurai, Social Order Flashcards
(20 cards)
Meaning “big names”, what were regional landowners in Japan known as?
Daimyo
What were some restrictions that Tokugawa Ieyasu placed in landowners?
Only one castle could be built, a limit on the number of samurai, treaties with other landowners could not be made, the shogun had to approve marriages
At what age did samurai typically begin their training?
6
What skills were young samurai taught?
Etiquette, public service, calligraphy, reading and writing, fighting and military skills
Samurai finished training at the age of 15 with a ceremony called what?
Genbuku
If a samurai fought incorrectly, lied or cheated, what were they expected to do?
End their own life
What best describes the Samurai combat style?
Man on man
What was the name of the Samurai code of conduct?
Bushido
When heads were too difficult to carry, what did samurai collect from their enemies instead?
Their enemies noses
What were aspects of the samurai bushido code?
Readiness, benevolence, respect, fidelity and organisation
How did samurai armour typically weigh?
10 KG
What was the purpose of the decorations samurai wore on their armour?
To identify the wearer and to strike fear into enemies
How did samurai typically wear their hair?
Shaved on top with the remaining hair tied into a topknot
What was the Samurai short sword used for?
Removing enemies heads or noses
Why were Japanese castles typically made of mostly wood?
Wood was readily available and it was safer than other materials in earthquake prone areas
What was the social ladder in Japan?
- Daimyo
- Samurai
- Farmers and Artisans
- Merchants and Traders
- Eta and Hinin
Despite becoming quite wealthy, why were merchants ranked lower than peasants?
Merchants and traders did not actually produce anything
How could people move between classes in Shogunate Japan?
They couldn’t
How could Samurai be identified?
They carried a sword, wore a clan crest and wore plain dark clothing
Who was included among the hinin?
Ex-convicts, actors, Street-cleaners
