Political Philosophy and Social Concepts in Japan

A collective group of citizens within a society, particularly in relation to their shared rights and responsibilities. It emphasizes civic participation and shared values.

A distinct and independent political entity with shared territory, culture, and identity. In Fukuzawa's context, it refers to a unified body of people with a sense of national consciousness.

Emphasizes the lack of a cohesive national identity in Japan during the Meiji Restoration period. Fukuzawa argues that Japanese society lacked a strong sense of collective purpose and national unity.

The idea that Japan's lack of a strong national identity would hinder its ability to effectively participate in international affairs and compete with other nations.

A key figure in the Japanese modernization movement, he argued for the importance of embracing Western ideas and institutions, including the concept of a nation.

The idea that a nation is formed through a shared history, culture, language, and territory. In Fukuzawa's analysis, this element was conspicuously absent in Japan during his time.

A term used by Fukuzawa to describe the collective identity of the Japanese people in relation to other nations. It is a broader concept than 'kokumin', suggesting a deeper unity and shared purpose.

The process of developing a sense of national identity and unity. In Fukuzawa's view, Japan's modernization was inseparable from building a national consciousness.

The first emperor to officially sponsor Buddhism as a protector of the country and the imperial family.

A hierarchical, nation-wide social and administrative system in which all power flowed from the emperor.

A set of complex law codes that formed the basis of the Ritsuryō system, aiming to establish a centralized, bureaucratic government. Key Codes include the Taihō (702) and Yōrō (718) Codes.

Tax-free landed estates that were granted to powerful families and monasteries in exchange for their political support, ultimately contributing to the decline of the centralized imperial control.

A system where the elite functioned in three power blocs (kenmon) performing administrative, military and religious duties, effectively sharing power.

Hired military men who became increasingly important in Japanese society, ultimately replacing the traditional conscript system.

A key change in Japan's political landscape where retired emperors (known as 'cloistered emperors') held significant influence within the imperial clan, playing a role in vying for control over income from private estates.

Provincial landed properties, home to cultivators engaged in agricultural production, obligated to pay part of their produce to local managers and absentee proprietors. Exempt from public taxes.

A political entity formed by individuals coming together for protection and defense, creating a collective body with a sovereign authority, laws, and a shared sense of unity.

The concept of the state as a unified and integrated entity, often symbolized as a single body.

A collective group of people who share a common purpose, values, or interests, often forming a corporation or organization.

The translation of the English term 'society' into Chinese characters, emphasizing a group of people united with rules and regulations.

The act of uniting individuals to form a cohesive and organized entity.

The concept of a nation as a unified and autonomous entity, emphasizing a sense of shared identity and purpose.

The entity representing the highest authority in a commonwealth or state, often personified as a sovereign ruler.

Rules and regulations that govern the behavior and actions of a society.

The concept of universal rule or sovereignty, representing both political control and a sense of unity. The term 'tenka' was adopted by Oda Nobunaga to assert his control over the realm.

The term used to represent the 'state' in early and medieval Japanese society, linked to Confucian and Buddhist rituals.

The concept of 'society' became a crucial focus of political discussion during the modern period in Japan, but the term 'shakai' is also used to refer to different historical periods, such as 'Tokugawa society'.

The influential term 'bunmei' (civilization) was derived from the concept of 'kuni' (country), which Fukuzawa Yukichi translated as 'state.' This reflects the notion that civilization is built upon a strong and ordered political structure.

A central concept in Alexis de Tocqueville's 'Democracy in America,' emphasizing the equal opportunities and social mobility of American society.

A period of major political and social reform in Japan, marking the shift from clan-based rule to a centralized imperial system.

The leader of the Taika Coup, who became the ancestor of the powerful Fujiwara clan.

The first official era name adopted after the Taika Coup, signifying a new era of central authority.

The official chronicle of Japanese history, completed in 720, which emphasizes the imperial lineage and the legitimacy of the new centralized state.

The series of legal codes that established a hierarchical and centralized social and administrative system in Japan.

The capital city established by the Japanese government during the Nara period, which became the center of political and cultural life.

The capital city established by the Japanese government during the Heian period, known for its imperial court life and cultural sophistication.

Alliances formed by peasants, provincial warriors, and traveling merchants in the late Ashikaga period in Japan, independent of a lord's control. They sought a social order that guaranteed land ownership and professional rights.

The Ikkō (Single-Minded) Leagues were particularly powerful. They were grounded in Pure Land Buddhist beliefs and organized through temple networks.

Oda Nobunaga was a powerful warlord who rose to prominence during the Sengoku period. He was known for his ruthless strategies and his use of new weapons, particularly firearms.

Nobunaga's ambition was to unify Japan under his rule. He believed in the idea of “Tenka fubu,” which means 'to subdue the realm by military might.'

Nobunaga destroyed the Enryaku-ji temple complex on Hiei-zan in 1571, demonstrating his willingness to disregard traditional sacred places in pursuit of his goals.

Nobunaga's strategic use of firearms helped him gain control over vast territories. This marked a significant shift in warfare in Japan, as gunpowder technology became increasingly important.

Nobunaga's actions, like the destruction of Enryaku-ji, challenged long-held societal norms and religious taboos, showing a rejection of traditional authority

Nobunaga's ruthless tactics earned him the reputation of being a ruthless leader, but also a brilliant strategist and a key figure in the unification of Japan.