Get Chapter 12 Section 4 Guided Reading Feudal Powers In Japan

The Chinese writing system influenced spoken Japanese language first and thus "provided key vehicles for intellectual creativity". Its origin in Japan dates back to the Kofun period, and its introduction is believed to be between 300 and 710 AD.

During its classical period, Japan was highly influenced by Chinese culture. The influence of Buddhism, Confucianism, and other elements of Chinese culture had a profound impact on the development of Japanese culture.

By the Yamato period (552-710), the hundreds of clans scattered throughout the country were unified under a single clan, the Yamato, who traced their lineage to the sun goddess Amaterasu. This connection made them powerful political and religious leaders with the divine responsibility to protect the nation.

A key distinguishing factor between the two systems was land ownership. European knights gained land from their lords as payment for their military service; they had direct control of the serfs who worked that land. In contrast, Japanese samurai did not own any land.

By the Yamato period (552-710), the hundreds of clans scattered throughout the country were unified under a single clan, the Yamato, who traced their lineage to the sun goddess Amaterasu. This connection made them powerful political and religious leaders with the divine responsibility to protect the nation.

From the mid-fifth to the late-seventh centuries, Japan benefited from the immigration of people from Baekje and Gaya who brought with them their knowledge of iron metallurgy, stoneware pottery, law, and Chinese writing.

Because of the geography, the Japanese relied on the sea for many aspects of daily life. Trade with China and Korea became important to get the resources they needed. Through trade and migration, cultural diffusion occurred between Japan and China as early as 100 B.C.E.

In Feudal Japan, the political power lay with the shoguns, who were similar to military dictators. The emperor was a figurehead who had no rule power. The samurai were the warriors of the shoguns, similar to European knights.