Japanese Traditions

What is the code of Bushido? Objectives • By the end of the class students should be able to do the following: • Give a basic overview of Shinto. • Explain why Zen Buddhism was adopted by so many Samurai. • Discuss the family structure of traditional Japan. • Define Bushido and its impact on the culture of Japan. • Compare and contrast the lives of the warrior class and the commoners.

Religious Traditions • Two religious traditions, Shinto and Buddhism have influenced the practices of the Japanese. • Shinto, or “the way of the Gods”, was an early Japanese religion. Early Japanese believed that spirits or kami, lived in plants, animals, rocks etc. They also controlled the forces of nature. • Prayers and offerings could help win the favor of the kami. Shinto created a link between people and the forces of nature. These beliefs helped unite Japan. • Shinto did not examine life after death or proper behavior. For this they turned to Buddhism.

Religious Traditions-2 • In 552 many Buddhist missionaries arrived in Japan. • Buddhism taught about the cycle of birth, rebirth, and the goal of enlightenment. It encouraged good deeds like friendliness and compassion. • Many samurai believed in Zen Buddhism-Video. Zen emphasized meditation as well as physical and mental self-discipline. Zen also had a lasting impact on the art of Japan. • Confucianism also influenced Japans virtues. It’s focus on proper relationships worked well in feudal Japan.

Family • Confucian teachings guided Japanese family life. Age and gender influenced behavior in the home. • Family members owed complete obedience to the head of the household. Having an heir was important. • Marriages were arranged to created family alliances, not for love. A woman became part of her husbands family. Sometimes younger sons could start a new branch of the family, with the permission of his family. • Prior to Confucian beliefs, women had some rights and power. Warfare brought hardships to women, in a warrior society women are often ignored or mistreated Feudal Traditions • The Japanese stressed loyalty to family, but loyalty to your feudal lord was even more important. • Japan developed a code of behavior called Bushido, or “the way of the warrior”. Bushido governed the relationships between a lord and his samurai. It emphasized loyalty above all else. • Bushido also promoted military virtues like bravery, self-discipline and honor. If he brought dishonor to their family or lord they were expected to commit seppuku (she POO koo), or ritual suicide. • Samurai were more than warriors, they took pride in their education and artistic abilities. Lives of Commoners • In Tokugawa Japan, everyone had a well defined place. Peasants played a key role in supporting the samurai. Artisans and merchants had a lower status, but they contributed to the economy. • Wealth had little to do with a families status. • Artisans and merchants had to show respect for their superiors. They could buy luxuries but not things that conveyed status like silk robes or swords. • The Shoguns passed laws to limit marriages and protect the old social order. Read chapter 18-4 for next class