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==Feudalism and Religion in Japan==

==Feudalism and Religion in Japan==

On the other side of the world, in the “Far East,” Japan was independently developing a feudal system similar to that in western Europe.  The centralized system of Japan had weakened and declined just as it had in western Europe.  The reasons were different, however.  The Japanese culture always stressed self-discipline and military skills, and when combined with introduction of writing in the 5th century and Buddhism in the 6th century, there was little need for a centralized government. In addition, the central government that did exist, which was known as the Heian court, lost credibility through its own extravagance and waste.

On the other side of the world, in the "Far East," Japan was independently developing a feudal system similar to that in western Europe.  That is an odd coincidence because the religious beliefs of the two different parts of the world were completely different!  

Aristocratic clans had dominated Japan until A.D. 500, when the Yamato clan gradually gained prominence as the leading clan and named themselves “emperor”.  But the real power remained controlled by those of noble birth, and then (like now) the “emperor” was just a figurehead.  Shinto was the dominant religion, though it has since merged somewhat with Buddhism.

 

Aristocratic clans had dominated Japan until A.D. 500, when the Yamato clan gradually gained prominence as the leading clan and named themselves "emperor".  But the real power remained controlled by those of noble birth, and then (like now) the "emperor" was just a figurehead.  Shinto was the dominant religion, though it has since merged somewhat with Buddhism.

Feudalism then developed in Japan as families began to acquire control over land and establish independent estates, just as the lords did in western Europe.  The peasants were bound to both the land and their master in Japan.  Like medieval Europe, fortresses were constructed to protect the large estates and moats were even used to surround the fortress, for added protection.  An example of a family that built a large, independent estate was the Fujiwara.

Feudalism then developed in Japan as families began to acquire control over land and establish independent estates, just as the lords did in western Europe.  The peasants were bound to both the land and their master in Japan.  Like medieval Europe, fortresses were constructed to protect the large estates and moats were even used to surround the fortress, for added protection.  An example of a family that built a large, independent estate was the Fujiwara.

The world’s first psychological novel, “The Tale of Genji,” was written in the 1000s by Lady Murasaki about Japanese culture during the Heian period (794-1185).  This was a period of great style in Japan with its center at the capital at Heian, where Kyoto is today.  Recently, in 1997, Kyoto became known as the place where many nations attempted to limit the alleged global warming through the “Kyoto Treaty” for reducing factory and car emissions, which the United States never ratified.

The world's first psychological novel, "The Tale of Genji," was written in the 1000s by Lady Murasaki about Japanese culture during the Heian period (794-1185).  This was a period of great style in Japan with its center at the capital at Heian, where Kyoto is today.  Recently, in 1997, Kyoto became known as the place where many nations attempted to limit the alleged global warming through the "Kyoto Treaty" for reducing factory and car emissions, which the United States never ratified.

Skilled military leaders or generals, known as “bushi”, raised their own armies of “samurai” soldiers to protect their estates.  Like the chivalry in western Europe, the samurai lived by a code of conduct known as the “bushido,” meaning “the way of the warrior”.  One difference is that bushido included a code for Japanese women to follow, which chivalry did not.  Bushido involved a ritual known as “seppuku”, by which samurai committed suicide through self-disembowelment.  Seppuku was practiced when a warrior faced the prospect of dishonor, to avoid disloyalty, or to display protest.

Skilled military leaders or generals, known as "bushi", raised their own armies of "samurai" soldiers to protect their estates.  Like the chivalry in western Europe, the samurai lived by a code of conduct known as the "bushido", meaning "the way of the warrior." One difference is that bushido included a code for Japanese women to follow, which chivalry did not.  Bushido involved a ritual known as "seppuku", by which samurai committed suicide through self-disembowelment.  Seppuku was practiced when a warrior faced the prospect of dishonor, to avoid disloyalty, or to display protest.

Even more than in western Europe, strict loyalty to one’s lord was emphasized in Japan.  About a thousand years later this code would make the Japanese extremely tenacious fighters against Americans in World War II.  The bushido required the samurai never to retreat or surrender.  Family values were part of the bushido also.  A version of Buddhism developed that ensured salvation and heaven for those who lived upright lives.

Even more than in western Europe, strict loyalty to one's lord was emphasized in Japan.  About a thousand years later this code would make the Japanese extremely tenacious fighters against Americans in World War II.  The bushido required the samurai never to retreat or surrender.  Family values were part of the bushido also.  A version of Buddhism developed that ensured salvation and heaven for those who lived upright lives.

For hundreds of years the aristocrats gained more and more land in Japan until A.D. 1185, when the Minamoto clan became the most powerful and announced that their leader would served as a military governor called a “shogun”.  This clan then ruled Japan for nearly 400 years from its capital at Kamakura, which is south of present-day Tokyo.

For hundreds of years the aristocrats gained more and more land in Japan until A.D. 1185, when the Minamoto clan became the most powerful and announced that their leader would served as a military governor called a "shogun".  This clan then ruled Japan for nearly 400 years from its capital at Kamakura, which is south of present-day Tokyo.

When the Minamoto clan seized power in the 12th century, they held onto it for a few hundred years.  Some of their emperors were children.  Civil war eventually erupted in Japan in 1467, and the country fell back into feudalism consisting of many tiny kingdoms, with each one ruled by a “daimyo”.  The daimyo held the same role as the lords in the feudalism of western Europe.

When the Minamoto clan seized power in the 12th century, they held onto it for a few hundred years.  Some of their emperors were children.  Civil war eventually erupted in Japan in 1467, and the country fell back into feudalism consisting of many tiny kingdoms, with each one ruled by a "daimyo".  The daimyo held the same role as the lords in the feudalism of western Europe.

The national religion of Japan is Shinto, which considers the emperor to be a living god.  Shinto is more like a code of conduct than a religion.  Shinto has no afterlife.  Instead, it demands loyalty and obedience of all to the emperor, who is divine.  It led to extreme nationalism in Japan that made it a very tough opponent of the United States in World War II.  It was not until the United States defeated Japan in World War II that the emperor renounced his status as a god and the state religion of Shinto ended.  Today Shinto consists of the worship of “kami” in shrines supervised by priests.  Worship consists of personal purification and daily prayers to the kumi.

The national religion of Japan is Shinto, which considers the emperor to be a living god.  Shinto is more like a code of conduct than a religion.  Shinto has no afterlife.  Instead, it demands loyalty and obedience of all to the emperor, who is divine.  It led to extreme nationalism in Japan that made it a very tough opponent of the United States in World War II.  It was not until the United States defeated Japan in World War II that the emperor renounced his status as a god and the state religion of Shinto ended.  Today Shinto consists of the worship of "kami" in shrines supervised by priests.  Worship consists of personal purification and daily prayers to the kumi.

Shinto has similarities to Buddhism, but there is major difference in Japan:  Shinto is a religion of life used for marriage, while Buddhism is a religion of death used for funerals.

Shinto has similarities to Buddhism, but there is major difference in Japan:  Shinto is a religion of life used for marriage, while Buddhism is a religion of death used for funerals.