Japanese History: Edo Period Key Terms

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Questions and Answers

What is a shogun?

A type of Japanese cuisine

A Japanese military ruler in Edo Japan (correct)

A samurai without a master

A powerful Japanese landowner or noble

What are ronin?

Samurai warriors without masters.

Define daimyo.

A powerful Japanese landowner or noble.

What does hereditary mean?

Determined by birth. Signup and view all the answers

What is seppuku?

Ritual suicide performed in Japan as an honourable alternative to humiliation and public shame. Signup and view all the answers

Who were outcasts in Japanese society?

Japanese people who were shunned or ignored by other classes because of the type of work they did. Signup and view all the answers

What are ethical codes?

Rules about right and wrong behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What affected the actions of people in the story on page 283?

Ideas of honour influenced by greed for money. Signup and view all the answers

For hundreds of years before the _ period, Japan was locked in constant warfare between the _______.

Edo; Daimyo. Signup and view all the answers

Who was made shogun by the emperor?

Tokugawa Ieyasu. Signup and view all the answers

What does the seating plan refer to?

He placed loyal people beside questionable people to ensure that they couldn't plan a rebellion. Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of alternate attendance for daimyos?

<ul> <li>Every 2nd year, daimyos returned to Edo.</li> <li>Leave family member, ensuring daimyo loyalty.</li> <li>No money for rebellion.</li> </ul> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following political systems with their descriptions.

Shogunate = National affairs Daimyo = Local Signup and view all the answers

What do strict laws govern in society?

All aspects of society; enforced by the samurai. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Shogun increase their power?

By enforcing laws that banned peasants from owning weapons and establishing a network of secret police. Signup and view all the answers

What were the implications of decreasing the daimyo's power?

Without weapons, peasants could not support the daimyo; they could not make military alliances. Signup and view all the answers

Strict rules governed the behavior of each class, e.g. ______ rules regulating dress for everyone.

216 Signup and view all the answers

Membership in each class was , and designed to __________________.

Feudal society; stay in their class. Signup and view all the answers

What did Japanese samurai serve?

Daimyo or shogun. Signup and view all the answers

List the social hierarchy for Japan from top to bottom:

<ol> <li>Emperor 2. Shogun 3. Daimyo 4. Samurai 5. Ronin 6. Peasants 7. Artisans 8. Merchants 9. Women/Outcasts</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is 'social control'?

Influence on how people behave due to shame, helping others, etc. Signup and view all the answers

Give one example of when it might be a good thing to stand up to authority.

Bullying, injustice laws or actions, racism, discrimination. Signup and view all the answers

What teachings played an important role in the Japanese acceptance of class distinctions?

Confucianism. Signup and view all the answers

What were the five basic relationships according to Confucius?

Ruler-Subject, Father-Children, Husband-Wife, Older brother-Younger brother, Friend-Friend. Signup and view all the answers

In Edo Japan, samurai schools stressed which Confucian ideas?

Duty, especially filial piety. Signup and view all the answers

Who led a group of Jesuit priests to convert the upper classes?

Francis Xavier. Signup and view all the answers

How might the daimyo feel about Christian beliefs?

The beliefs questioned the upper classes' positions because it challenged their power. Signup and view all the answers

What did fads and fashion involve in Edo Japan?

Each level of the hierarchy had strict dress codes. Signup and view all the answers

What was new military technology during this period?

More advanced technology compared to samurai swords, e.g. muskets. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the cultural openness in Edo Japan.

Increased trade led to social mobility and less isolation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Terms and Definitions

Shogun: The military ruler of Japan during the Edo period, holding significant power.
Ronin: Samurai warriors who have lost their masters, often seen as masterless and without honor.
Daimyo: Powerful landowners in Japan, comparable to nobles, wielding considerable autonomous power.
Hereditary: Power or status passed down through family lineage.
Seppuku: A ritual form of suicide in Japan, undertaken as an honorable response to failure or humiliation.
Outcasts: Individuals in Japanese society who were marginalized due to their occupations or social status.
Ethical Codes: Sets of guidelines governing what is considered right and wrong behavior in society.

Historical Context

Prior to the Edo period, Japan experienced centuries of warfare among powerful Daimyo.
Tokugawa Ieyasu was appointed shogun by the emperor, although the shogun technically held the power.

Political Structure and Control

Seating Plan: Tokugawa strategically placed loyal individuals next to those of questionable loyalty to preempt rebellion.
Alternate Attendance: A system whereby daimyos were required to reside in Edo every other year, preventing them from amassing power while their families remained as hostages.
Bakuhan system: Divided governance between the national affairs controlled by the shogunate and local matters overseen by the daimyos.

Strict class structure with defined roles for each level, including Emperor, Shogun, Daimyo, Samurai, Ronin, Peasants, Artisans, Merchants, and Women/Outcasts.
Social Control: Mechanisms of influence shaping behavior through societal customs and expectations.

Confucianism: A philosophical system that reinforced the acceptance of class distinctions and the importance of hierarchical relationships.
Filial Piety: Emphasized duty and respect within familial and social roles, central to education in samurai schools and commoner institutions.
Fads and Fashion: Each class had specific dress codes that reinforced social hierarchy.

Military and Technological Changes

Emergence of new weaponry, such as muskets, that exceeded the effectiveness of traditional samurai swords.
The provision of weapons to peasants altered traditional military dynamics.

Religion and Ideology

Introduction of Christianity by Jesuit missionaries, aiming to convert the elite classes, particularly the daimyo and samurai.
Christian beliefs created tension with traditional power structures, as they challenged the authority of the upper classes.

Summary of Key Concepts

The shogun's enforcement of laws restricted peasants from owning weapons, maintaining a monopoly on power.
Class mobility was minimal, with rigid structures ensuring individuals remained within their designated social strata.
Cultural shifts led to a more open society with increased trade and reduced isolation, fostering new ideas and influences.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the key terms and definitions related to the Edo period in Japan. This quiz covers important concepts such as Shogun, Ronin, and Daimyo, and explores their significance in the historical context of Japan's feudal system. Perfect for a deeper understanding of Japan's political structure and culture.