The Importance Of The Heian Period In Japan

Youssef Marakby ID:900130817 Instructor: Richard Byford Rhet 1020 The Samurai’s affect on Japan’s culture For many years, the legendary Japanese samurai warriors showed that they are the most well known class of ancient Japan and also known with their supremacy of honor, service, and duty which the Japanese society still have today. The samurai helped lay the foundations of Japan 's culture.

Middlebury University is a highly esteemed institution with a rich history spanning over 200 years. In that time, it has developed into the 4th best liberal art college in the nation. Their approach to education is unique, the student body is diverse, and the institution is dedicated to providing an “Inspirational setting for learning and reflection, reinforcing our commitment to integrating environmental stewardship into both our curriculum and our practices on campus... We strive to engage students ' capacity for rigorous analysis and independent thought within a wide range of disciplines and endeavors, and to cultivate the intellectual, creative, physical, ethical, and social qualities essential for leadership in a rapidly changing global community.” (Middlebury’s Mission)

The word samurai roughly translates to english to those who serve. In japan, samurais were like knights who protected wealthy landowners. These wealthy landowners were known as daimyo and were regional lords.   Although samurai were servants at first this didn't last long they eventually rose to power in the twelfth century.

Japan’s rich history of power, wealth, and influence had many remarkable eras. One of the more notable periods in Japanese history was that of the Tokugawa Period (1600-1868). The Tokugawa Period was talked about in Musui’s Story, an autobiographical book, written by Kokichi Katsu. (Katsu ix) Katsu wrote Musui’s Story for three main reasons: to share how he had transformed from a low-ranking samurai to a well-known hero, to show his sense of self, and to serve as a cautionary tale for his descendants.

The Zhou dynasty was founded by King Wen of the Ji family in 1076 B.C, after the Shang dynasty ended. This dynasty had three specific achievements; it had a unique social hierarchy, a standardized spoken language, and an extensive time of reign. The Zhou dynasty’s standardized spoken language was considered a huge advancement in Chinese history and was later used throughout many Chinese dynasties. Language helps bond society together, which may be a contributing factor to the length of the Zhou Dynasty. This spoken language was one of the most well known accomplishments of the Zhou dynasty along with the Mandate of Heaven.

When Japan entered the Heian Period there came to be a rapid and extensive development of a well-refined culture among the upper classes of society. While a steady Japanese identity had been formulated before this era that does not diminish the importance of the Heian Period — especially with the influences it placed upon present, for the time, societal mannerisms and those that came to exist in the future. Two of the most intriguing aspects of this particular society, in terms of personal preference, happen to be the progression of beauty standards that extended beyond simple appearance and the differing lifestyles that categorized the aristocratic men and women of the period. As such, this time in Japan’s history could be considered a sizable step forward, primarily in the tending to of a separate Japanese identity that took little from previously overbearing Chinese-based

The Tang Dynasty was a monarchy(King and Queen). His rule started several centuries of economic prosperity(success in business) and cultural vibrancy(vibrancy: liveliness). The Tang had the most impressive and detailed law system. The Law system included four basic forms, Lu is for criminal law, Ling is for institutional regulations, Ge is for administrative rule, and Shi is formula of official document.

Under his rule he successfully established a constitution for the Empire which resulted in a long era of political stability and with the help of his lieutenant, established a capital at Kumasi. One thing that will forever be remembered with Osei Tutu was his establishment of the Golden Stool and its importance to the Ashanti people. The reason the Golden Stool was such an important remembrance of Osei Tutu is because it allowed him to create a sense of union and centralization for the Empire. He used the previous relations between the chiefs of the Amantoo and their large dedication to spirituality to convince them that the Golden Stool held the energy, soul, and power of the Ashanti people. With its large impact on the Ashanti people, the golden stool remains an historical symbol till this day.

Emperor Kangxi was the fourth and longest reigning emperor of the Manchu Qing Dynasty during the late 17th century until the early 18th century. Historians consider him one of the greatest emperors in history because his policies ultimately led the Qing Dynasty in becoming one of the most successful and flourishing societies globally and historically. Emperor Kangxi believed the role of the emperor was to be benevolent and respectful to all of his subjects, and to create harmony within the nation, with the hope of ultimately restoring and expanding the Qing dynasty into a prosperous and economic empire. Kangxi had strict criteria for state official prospects. He believed it was very important to look into a person's moral and spiritual values

However, many scholars and Shintoists believe that two books greatly influence Shintoism as a whole. These two books include the Ko-ji-ki and the Nihon-gi (McDowell 115). Firstly, the Ko-Ji-Ki or the “records of ancient matters” was compiled in 712 ad and is the oldest written text record in Japanese (McDowell 115). The Ko-Ji-Ki Contains over one hundred and eighty short stories and chapter that detail the mythology and ancient customs of Japan (Terry 17). The Ko-ji-Ki is the closest thing to an authoritative text as many of the customs and legends taught in the book are still devoutly followed to this day (Terry 16).

The importance of Tokugawa Leyasu taking control included the fact of the Tokugawa shogonate being established bringing along with it 264 years of peace and order. Huge changes which occurred during the reign of the tokugawa family including the introduction of a strict class system and the control of the ruling daimyo families which also made maintaining peace in Japan very easy. Japan 's increased trade and tourism contributed positively to the wealth and success of Japan. These rapid economical and social changes in Japanese society helped to prepare for fast modernization in the following time period. Tokugawa Leyasu had a significant impact on Japan as he established the tokugawa shogunate which brought wealth, peace and education to Japan.

In doing so, Buckley’s magazine lent strength to the tradition of American prosperity, a tradition which in the 1970’s was enduring nearly its greatest trial. In time, and due in no small part to NR’s leadership, prosperity would once again assume its place as the American norm—one of the boon developments of our age and one of the greatest consequences of the conservative revolution. (Domitrovic p. 34) Historian Robert Alan Goldberg wrote in his biography, The Conscience of a Conservative, which built upon Buckley 's work at National Review that in many ways the state had an obligation to maintain order and promote integrity and methodically harmonized the differences between traditionalists and libertarians.

During the period between 1450 and 1750, European traders started to get more involved in Chinas and Japan's politics. One similarity between China and Japan in their relations with European traders is that in both countries european traders were welcomed at first, however the relationship soon turned sour. In China, the Qing dynasty sold limited trading privileges to European powers but confined them only to Guangzhou. The British was not satisfied with this arrangement, so they asked for more trading rights. As a result, In a letter to King George III Emperor Qianlong states that the chinese had no need for British products.

Zheng He’s voyages have been a constant source of controversy in the historical world because of the differing opinions on whether they should be celebrated or not. In July of 1405, Zheng He was given a task to lead a fleet of ships for exploration. This task was assigned to him by Emperor Yongle of China’s Ming Dynasty. Zheng He went on seven separate voyages over the next twenty eight years through the Indian and Pacific Oceans with the largest fleet of wooden ships in history. He navigated his massive fleet from Nanjing along the Chinese coast and through these oceans to explore new lands and bring prosperity to China.

During the Tokugawa Shogunate, did the emperor have any power? If so, what? When the emperor Tokugawa Shogunate came into power he continued with, and made bigger changes to what Hideyoshi had started. He disarmed peasants, removed a lot of the source of rebellion that seemed to haunt Japan.