Questions and Answers
In Japanese Feudal Society, who was placed at the bottom of the social hierarchy?
What did Confucian ideals emphasize regarding the hierarchy of productive members in society?
Farmers and fishermen had higher standing than shopkeepers in Japan.
What percentage of society did the Samurai class make up in the Four Tiered System?
10%
What was the role of the Daimyo in Japanese Feudal Society?
Signup and view all the answers
According to Confucian ideals, why were farmers considered superior to artisans and merchants?
Signup and view all the answers
What happened to farmers during the rule of the 3rd Tokugawa Shogun?
Signup and view all the answers
What types of craftspeople made up the Artisan class?
Signup and view all the answers
How were merchants viewed in the Japanese Feudal Society?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was considered the pinnacle of society in the Japanese Feudal System?
Signup and view all the answers
When did the Tokugawa rule begin?
Signup and view all the answers
Who were the individuals considered 'below the 4 tiers' in the social structure?
Signup and view all the answers
What were the Ainu known for in society?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the role of Hinin in Japanese society?
Signup and view all the answers
What were the Oiran, Tayu, and Geisha in feudal Japan?
Signup and view all the answers
What led to the loss of samurai power during Tokugawa rule?
Signup and view all the answers
What is meant by 'growing mercantilism' during the Tokugawa era?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the 'Floating World'?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'ennui' refer to in this context?
Signup and view all the answers
When did the floating world end?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the significance of the Meiji Restoration?
Signup and view all the answers
What was one reason for the revolution during the Meiji Restoration?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'gunboat diplomacy' refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the policy maintained by Tokugawa shoguns before the 1850s?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Comparison of Feudal Societies
- Japanese feudal society positioned merchants at the bottom, in contrast to European feudalism which placed serfs there.
Confucian Influence
- Confucian ideals in Japan valued productive members of society, elevating farmers and fishermen above shopkeepers.
The Samurai Class
- Samurai occupied the top tier, constituting about 10% of the population; they commanded respect, with the right to execute those who did not bow to them in public.
Role of Daimyo
- Daimyo functioned as land lords analogous to European manor lords; the highest-ranking daimyo was the Shogun, with approximately 260 daimyo overseeing large territories and armies of samurai.
Farmers and Peasants
- Farmers ranked second in the class system; revered for food production, they endured high taxes despite their significant social status.
Taxation Under Tokugawa
- Under the third Tokugawa shogun, farmers were compelled to surrender their entire rice harvest to daimyo, relying on their generosity for sustenance.
Artisan Class
- Artisans ranked third, including skilled craftsmen like swordsmiths and weavers, and lived apart from samurai and merchants in city districts.
Merchant Class
- The bottom class comprised merchants and traders, viewed as "parasites" due to their non-productive roles; they were socially ostracized but could accumulate wealth.
Hierarchical Structure Above the Four Tiers
- The shogun was the supreme authority, with the emperor serving as a figurehead, supported by religious leaders like Buddhist and Shinto priests.
Role of the Shogun
- The shogun represented the pinnacle of power, often the most formidable daimyo, exerting control over all other daimyo.
Tokugawa Shogunate
- The Tokugawa family ruled from 1603 until 1868, establishing a hereditary shogunate that lasted for 15 generations.
Social Classes Below the Four Tiers
- Groups beneath the main tiers included Ainu, Hinin, Oiran, Tayu, and Geisha, often marginalized.
The Ainu People
- Ainu were historically descendants of slaves who worked in stigmatized trades like butchery and execution.
Hinin Class
- Hinin comprised entertainers, such as actors and wandering bards, along with convicted criminals.
Oiran, Tayu, and Geisha
- These were classes of courtesans and prostitutes, playing unique roles in society.
Effects of Peace During Tokugawa Rule
- The era of peace diminished samurai power, leading many to become bureaucrats, although they retained the right to carry swords.
Rise of Mercantilism
- As samurai influence declined, merchants gained prominence and formed the Chonin class during a time of stability.
The Floating World Phenomenon
- The Floating World became a cultural space where samurai and merchants intermixed, seeking entertainment amid feelings of ennui.
Concept of Ennui
- A prevalent sense of existential frustration drove individuals to pursue earthly pleasures while contemplating their mortality.
Decline of the Floating World
- The Floating World era concluded in 1868, marking a shift in social dynamics.
Meiji Restoration
- Occurring in 1868, the Meiji Restoration transferred power back to the emperor, abolishing the shogunate and the samurai class while modernizing the military.
Catalyst for Revolution
- The revolution was prompted by increasing foreign military and trade pressures, exemplified by incidents like gunboat diplomacy.
Gunboat Diplomacy Incident
- Commodore Matthew Perry’s naval fleet arrived in Tokyo Bay in 1852, compelling Japan to open its borders to Western trade through threats of military action.
Japan's Pre-1850s Policy
- Prior to the 1850s, Tokugawa shoguns maintained a strict isolationist stance, permitting limited foreign interactions.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the four-tiered class system of feudal Japan through interactive flashcards. Compare the Japanese social hierarchy with the European feudal system, highlighting the distinctive roles and values associated with each. This quiz will enhance your understanding of the socio-economic structure of Japan during the feudal era.
