9.4 SkillBuilder activity HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE The Tokugawa sh̄ogunate largely cut Japan off from the rest of the world for over 250 years. To achieve this, it passed the Closed Country Edict in 1635, which declared that any Japanese who attempted to travel overseas or any who returned after living overseas would be put to death. In small groups discuss whether or not you agree with this action. You need to bear in mind: • the desire to keep out foreign ideas, which the sh̄oguns feared would undermine the traditional Japanese way of life • the Tokugawa sh̄ogunate was a period of great peace, prosperity and the flourishing of art and culture in Japan.
9.4
Exercise
Learning pathways LEVEL1 1, 2, 3
LEVEL2
LEVEL3
4, 5, 7, 10
6, 8, 9
REMEMBER AND UNDERSTAND 1. Identify the three powerful clans that were competing for influence during the Heian period. A. TheDaimȳo B. TheTaira C. The Minamoto D. The Fujiwara E. The Batogahara 2. Determine what role Japanese emperors had after 1192. A. A role in the judiciary B. Leader of the armies in battle C. Ambassador to China D. A purely religious and ceremonial role 3. Determine whether the following statement is True or False. The Taira clan was ultimately successful following the period of civil war between 1180 and 1185. 4. Explain how the appointment of Yoritomo as sh̄ogun dramatically changed the power balance in Japan. 5. Recall why Japanese emperors were so dependent on regents during the period from 1180 to 1185.
ANALYSE AND APPLY 6. Examine SOURCE1 . a. Identify the different groups of Japanese society seen in the source.
b. Explain what this source tells us about the power of the emperor during the period of the civil war. 7. Examine the portrait of Yoritomo in SOURCE2 . Identify two possible characteristics that suggest he had the ability to win the loyalty of the daimȳo and samurai, and thus gain supreme power in Japan. 8. Compare SOURCES3 and 4 . a. Identify what each source tells us about the different roles of the sh̄ogun and the emperor during the period of sh̄ogunate rule. b. Explain whether the sh̄ogun or the emperor looks more likely to be able to rule the country. Give reasons for your answer. EVALUATE AND COMMUNICATE 9. SOURCE5 shows the destruction of the Mongol invasion fleet in 1281. Determine what appears to be the cause of the Mongol defeat. 10. Summarise why the appointment of Yoritomo as sh̄ogun is considered a major turning point in Japanese history. Answers and sample responses for this topic are available online.
TOPIC9 Japan under the sh̄oguns 227
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