Source Investigation Task
Japan under the reign of the Shoguns was a country of strict laws
and developed societies. It was this significant ruling under strong military dictators that Japan thrived for many years before and after it was discovered by Portuguese in 1546. To all eyes it was a land of mystery, wonder and diversity. It was a new world that Europe could take and was in need of exploration, but Japan was determined and strong nation that eventually expelled the outer world from itself for more than two-hundred years. MedievalJapan was an astonishing place and a real asset to today’s society but how is it that we know of such strange, fascinating world? We know this from the many sources left behind from the many years that Japan was under the rule of the Shoguns; diary entries from Christian missionaries and various paintings created by the Japanese in this time period.
The primary source that I have found has come from around the late 16th Century. It depicts male farmers paying rice taxes to the local Daimyo at his palace. It is being held at the Tokyo University in Japan and although it has an unknown author it still reveals a deep insight into understanding Medieval Japanese Society.
There are two social classes shown in this image. The lower class, for example farmers, that made up almost 90% of the population in this era and the upper class; for example the Daimyo (feudal lords). This aspect of this primary source clearly helps us in the understanding of the social hierarchy of Japan. The Daimyo presented in this picture are dressed in fine, brightly coloured robes and seem to be content in their position. Meanwhile the farmers in the source are portrayed in ragged, drab clothing. This comparison of clothing shows the
disquisition between classes in Japan medieval society. People who wear or are frequency dressed in delicate garments are usually upper class citizens as they are wealthy and powerful. While people in the lower classes are less well of in wealth and have almost no power over anything, even their own lives.
Another aspect of this source that assists us in the knowledge of
Medieval Japan is the fact that the farmers are outside working extremely hard in the dirt and dust with the animals while the Daimyo and his advisors are happily relaxing inside, in comfort. The picture also shows the respect that the people give to the people above their class for the farmers are not rising against the Daimyo and causing a revolt, they are working for him. This shows the deep reverence that the Japanese gave to others even if they received almost nothing in return. This respect was a major part in Japanese society especially in religion. It is evident that this source illustrates the social hierarchy that existed throughout the country in this time period.
It is primary sources such as the depiction pictured above that aid us in the insight and understanding of Medieval Japan under the rule of the Shoguns. These sources can exhibit almost anything from its religion to its geography to how Japan’s government was controlled. Primary sources can reveal many things to us and in turn help us understand Japanese Medieval Society throughout the 16th to 17th Centuries.
and developed societies. It was this significant ruling under strong military dictators that Japan thrived for many years before and after it was discovered by Portuguese in 1546. To all eyes it was a land of mystery, wonder and diversity. It was a new world that Europe could take and was in need of exploration, but Japan was determined and strong nation that eventually expelled the outer world from itself for more than two-hundred years. MedievalJapan was an astonishing place and a real asset to today’s society but how is it that we know of such strange, fascinating world? We know this from the many sources left behind from the many years that Japan was under the rule of the Shoguns; diary entries from Christian missionaries and various paintings created by the Japanese in this time period.
The primary source that I have found has come from around the late 16th Century. It depicts male farmers paying rice taxes to the local Daimyo at his palace. It is being held at the Tokyo University in Japan and although it has an unknown author it still reveals a deep insight into understanding Medieval Japanese Society.
There are two social classes shown in this image. The lower class, for example farmers, that made up almost 90% of the population in this era and the upper class; for example the Daimyo (feudal lords). This aspect of this primary source clearly helps us in the understanding of the social hierarchy of Japan. The Daimyo presented in this picture are dressed in fine, brightly coloured robes and seem to be content in their position. Meanwhile the farmers in the source are portrayed in ragged, drab clothing. This comparison of clothing shows the
disquisition between classes in Japan medieval society. People who wear or are frequency dressed in delicate garments are usually upper class citizens as they are wealthy and powerful. While people in the lower classes are less well of in wealth and have almost no power over anything, even their own lives.
Another aspect of this source that assists us in the knowledge of
Medieval Japan is the fact that the farmers are outside working extremely hard in the dirt and dust with the animals while the Daimyo and his advisors are happily relaxing inside, in comfort. The picture also shows the respect that the people give to the people above their class for the farmers are not rising against the Daimyo and causing a revolt, they are working for him. This shows the deep reverence that the Japanese gave to others even if they received almost nothing in return. This respect was a major part in Japanese society especially in religion. It is evident that this source illustrates the social hierarchy that existed throughout the country in this time period.
It is primary sources such as the depiction pictured above that aid us in the insight and understanding of Medieval Japan under the rule of the Shoguns. These sources can exhibit almost anything from its religion to its geography to how Japan’s government was controlled. Primary sources can reveal many things to us and in turn help us understand Japanese Medieval Society throughout the 16th to 17th Centuries.