Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Feudalism Erodes Imperial Authority - Coggle Diagram
Feudalism Erodes Imperial Authority
Samurai Warriors
Since wars between rival lords were commonplace, each lord surrounded himself with a bodyguard of loyal warriors called samurai
Samurai lived according to a demanding code of behavior called Bushido, or “the way of the warrior.”
A samurai was expected to show reckless courage, reverence for the gods, fairness, and generosity toward those weaker than himself.
Dying an honorable death was judged more important than living a long life.
Why was death more important the living an long life?
Why did the samurai live according to certain code?
They fought with swords of certain lengths
The Kamakura Shogunate
During the late 1100's two of Japans most powerful clans battled for nearly 30 years. After the war the Minamoto family emerged victorious.
To follow the traditions, the emperor still reigned from Kyoto, whcih was rebuilt after being destroyed in the war. However, the real central of power was at the shoguns military headquarters.
Although the Kamakura shogunate brought greater stability to Japan, it did not end conflict over the country’s limited farmland. Disputes often arose because lords wanted to increase their land holdings at the expense of farmers and traditional landlords.
The Kamakura shoguns lost prestige and power. Samurai attached themselves more closely to their local lords, who soon fought one another as fiercely as they had fought the Mongols.
The emperor gave a Minamoto leader the title of the Shogun. (supreme general of the emperors army.)
Decline of Central Power
For most of the Heian period, the rich Fujiwara family held the real power in Japan.
Large landowners living away from the capital set up private armies. The countryside became lawless and dangerous. Armed soldiers on horseback preyed on farmers and travelers, and pirates took control of the seas.
For safety, farmers and small landowners traded parts of their land to strong warlords in exchange for protection.
As they acquired more land, the lords increased their power. This marked the beginning of a feudal system of localized rule like that of ancient China and medieval Europe.