Sengoku Period and Daimyo Authority

The court nobility (kōke or kuge) consisted of the imperial family and capital aristocracy, holding administrative and ceremonial responsibilities.

The emperor, though symbolically above the system, made all appointments, including the shogun.

The warrior aristocracy (buke) was responsible for maintaining peace and protecting the state.

The warrior leaders of the Minamoto, Taira, and other houses played increasingly prominent roles in the eleventh century and beyond.

Temples and shrines provided spiritual protection through religious services and rituals.

Religious ceremonies were status markers, distinguishing rulers and the ruled.

The Kamakura Shogunate arose after the Genpei War (1180-1185).

The shogunate established a parallel system of rule, with the imperial clan in Kyoto and the shogun in Kamakura.

A term used to describe the more powerful regional lords during the Sengoku (Warring States) period of Japanese history.

The term 'kokka' refers to the sphere of political control established by a Sengoku Daimyo, encompassing both the private domain of the Daimyo (ie) and the territory they ruled (kuni).

In the Sengoku period, a Daimyo's kokka was seen as an autonomous and unified entity, with strict rules against alliances with other Daimyo. This includes the enforcement of unified standards, such as standardized coins.

Daimyo viewed their 'kokumin,' the inhabitants of their kokka, not just as vassals, but as constituent members of their domain. The people were integral to the Daimyo's political control.

During the Sengoku period, Daimyo used the term 'kokka' to signify the consolidation of their political power, a shift from the earlier notion of being appointed by the Shogun as 'shugo.'

The concept of kokka during the Sengoku period emphasized the union of the Daimyo's personal domain (ie) and their territorial control (kuni). This encompassed both the private and public aspects of their rule.

The concept of "kokka" (国家) refers to the state as an entity with recognized authority, often used by daimyo to legitimize their rule over their domains (ryōgoku 領国). It's like saying "we are the government, and this is our territory, and we are here to maintain peace and order."

During the Warring States Period, daimyo who gained power through force began to use the idea of "kōgi" (公儀) or "kubō" (公方) to legitimize their rule. It meant they claimed their control was "official" and approved by the emperor or shogun, even if they took power by force.

Even though Sengoku daimyo aimed for absolute rule, they were also keen on maintaining connections with the Ashikaga shoguns and the Imperial Court, which held symbolic power. It was like seeking a 'seal of approval' from these powerful entities.

Peasants who resisted samurai rule often argued that older times, before the rise of strong samurai, were better, as they had a closer relationship with the imperial court. They also saw themselves as direct servants of the emperor rather than subjects of the samurai leaders.

The three unifying figures, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, played crucial roles in ending the Warring States period and bringing order to Japan. Their actions, battles, and strategic alliances dramatically reshaped Japanese society.

The Kamakura shogunate ended after the failed Mongol invasions of 1274 and 1281. These invasions weakened the Hōjō family's power, and the subsequent Kenmu Restoration led to the establishment of the Ashikaga shogunate.

The Kenmu Restoration refers to the attempt by Emperor Godaigo to reassert the imperial court's power after the collapse of the Kamakura shogunate. It ultimately led to the establishment of the Ashikaga shogunate.

Emperor Godaigo, seeking to restore power to the imperial court, was exiled by the Hōjō family to Oki island in 1331. However, he escaped in 1333 and rallied supporters to overthrow the Hōjō regime.

The Ashikaga shogunate was established in 1338 by Ashikaga Takauji. It replaced the Kamakura shogunate and ruled for over two centuries, marking a significant period in Japanese history.

The Ashikaga shogunate faced challenges in maintaining control over the provinces. While they exercised firm control over the capital region, their authority waned further out.

The imperial schism, also known as “Northern and Southern Courts,” lasted from 1336 to 1392. During this time, two rival imperial lines claimed the throne, leading to political instability and conflict.

The shugo, or provincial military governors, acted as the primary link between the Ashikaga shoguns and the provinces. They were responsible for maintaining order and collecting taxes. The increased independence of the shugo, granting them power over local estates, led to a decentralization of power within the shogunate.

The third Ashikaga shogun, Yoshimitsu, is credited with bringing stability and power to the dynasty. He ended the imperial schism in 1392 and oversaw a period of economic prosperity, marked by the flourishing of culture and trade with China.

The Tokugawa shogunate's policy of requiring daimyo (feudal lords) to spend alternate years in Edo, the shogun's capital. This policy, formalized in 1635, was a key part of maintaining Tokugawa control and centralized power.

The shogun's capital, Edo, was a vital center for the ruling class under the Tokugawa regime. Daimyo were born and raised in Edo, maintaining elaborate residences there.

The annual journey of daimyo to Edo was marked by elaborate processions and required considerable expense to maintain both Edo residences and the journey itself. This economic drain helped keep daimyo reliant on the shogun.

Sankin Kōtai required daimyo to have residences in Edo, often displaying their wealth and status through the construction of elaborate mansions. This was known as 'Conspicuous Consumption'.

The shogun granted audiences to daimyo in Edo, known as 'Omemie', to assert his authority and keep them under close watch.

Sankin Kōtai acted as a national communication system, with five main highways linking different regions to Edo. This made Edo a hub of information.

Sankin Kōtai spurred economic opportunities for commoners, with the daimyo's journey and presence in Edo creating demand for goods and services. This also linked regional economies across political borders.

Tokugawa Iemitsu, grandson of Ieyasu, formalized the Sankin Kōtai system and expanded the shogun's power by establishing the right to confiscate daimyo lands and give them to more reliable lords. This cemented Tokugawa control.

The concept that the ruler's authority comes from Heaven, not the Emperor. This idea emphasizes the shogun's divine right to rule as the supreme power in Japan.

A metaphor used to describe the shogunate's political structure as a unified whole, with various elements working together like a body. The shogun is the head, his warriors are his mind, and his vassals are his senses.

A syncretic belief system that combines elements of Shinto, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Popular during the Warring States period, this belief system emphasizes harmony and the natural order.

The power and prestige associated with the shogunate. It was displayed through lavish ceremonies, military strength, and symbolic imagery like crests.

The idea that the entire realm belongs not to one individual, but to all under Heaven. It emphasizes the shared responsibility and interdependence of all individuals.

A Chinese military text that emphasizes the importance of shared profit and benefit for all under Heaven. It contrasts with the Confucian emphasis on righteousness and moral principles.

The acceptance of the shogun as the legitimate and official ruling authority by the daimyo (feudal lords).

The ability of the shogun to exert control over the entire realm through military power and the constant display of prestige and ceremony. This allows them to maintain order and control over the population.