The Japanese samurai

When the central government got weak and the emperor was more of a figurehead than anything the shogun the supreme commander of army and daiymo wealthy landowners paid no taxes and owned small private armies of trained warriors called samurai. Samurai have a code based on honestly,bravery and loyalty. Samurai pledge their allegiance to their shogun and they rather die than to beg for their life. Samurai had proper armor. Samurai women were often the wife of samurai that were trained in fighting just as well as their husbands so they could protect themselves from robbers and thief's. These women were a force to be reckoned with.

A Japanese samurai training with his katana (Sword of the samurai.)

Geography

Japan is known for it´s beauty. The springs are amazingly beautiful known for the cherry blossoms. Japan is also an island. An island is a piece of land surrounded by water. Japan also has close to no flat land but Japan has an mild climate and abundant amount of rain so rice grows well there. Japan also gets an abundant amount of fish due to being surrounded by an ocean. The island is also an efficient way to stop invaders.

Prince Shotoku

Prince Shotoku was asked by the first woman emperor Empress Suiko to be her regent. A regent is somebody that takes over for somebody to young to rule. He ruled from 593 to 622. Prince Shotoku was inspired by Chinese culture. He wanted the Japanese to learn from their wise neighbor. He sent Japanese scholars and welcomed Chinese workers. Shotoku opened an embassy in China. An embassy is an office of a government in another country.He created an guidelines for Japanese leaders using Confucius principles. These guidelines are known as the Seventeen Article constitution. Shotoku also introduced Buddhism an aspect from Chinese culture to Japan. Japanese religion up until this point was traditionally Shinto a religion based off of Japanese traditional beliefs initially it rivaled Buddhism but eventually the two religions were combined. Buddhism was initially opposed because Buddha was born in India not Japan.

Japanese Culture

In the 800´s is known as the golden age of Japanese literature and drama. Lady Murasaki Shikibu a known writer for her first person telling of her time in emperors court during the early 1000s. It was also an golden age for drama with Kabucki a dramatic singing and dancing with elaborate costumes and heavy makeup. Noh is often the retelling of legends and folklore. Among Japans most famous dishes are ramen bowls,tempura, and tofu among many others. Japan is known for it´s advance in technology and anime which is popular all over the world. Some the more popular shows are Dragon Ball Z , Naruto and Yuri On Ice. Another part of Japanese culture are haiku's. haiku's is a form of poems a that is a line of 5 syllables and then 7 syllables and another 5. Haiku's are often about nature.

A bowl of ramen prepared Japanese style.

Ninja

Ninja were people in feudal Japan that were seen as beneath the Samurai. They did espionage and sabotage not to mention assassination they were considered dishonorable. They were argued necessary for war because who can have a war without betrayal and lies. Actually who could have politics. The ninja were trained as or at least almost as well as the samurai. They were also referred to as the shinobi. Although we aren´t certain it is widely believed that they popped up in Japan around the 12th or 15th century.

Feudal Pyramid

The feudal pyramid is he pyramid that describes the establishment of power in feudal Japan. The emperor was the ruler but had little to no power. The shogun and daimyo were next they had the real power. The shogun who was the commander of army controlled the army. The daimyo were wealthy landowners. The samurai warriors were warriors that lived by a code and had special training. Peasants and artisans are next on the line due to the importance to their work because everybody else above them want what they´re sellling and making. Merchants are last on the line because they just sell what other people make.

Daimyo

Wealthy Landowners