MEDIEVAL JAPAN

INTRODUCTION

Medieval Japan is the period when Japanese imperial authority was weak, the feudal system was different compared to the modern Japan and warriors played an important role in governing society. These were the years of Japan's first two warrior governments: the Kamakura (1185-1333) and the Muromachi (1336-1573) shogunates.

KEY PLACES OF MEDIEVAL JAPAN

Towns in Medieval Japan grew in the lands surrounding castles. These castle towns attracted peasants, artisans and traders from all over the country. Castle towns were important aspects of castles as they provided an addition to the castle's defences. They had many twisting and confusing streets. Some of these Castletown’s became Japan's largest cities. Some cities in modern japan have managed to preserve some historic towns so that residents and tourists can enjoy today. Some of those historic towns are;

KAKUNODATE KAKUNODATE	HAGI HAGI	USUKI USUKI
TSUWANO TSUWANO	MATSUE MATSUE	KUNISAKI PENINSULA KUNISAKI PENINSULA
KANAZAWA KANAZAWA

HOW DID MEDIEVAL JAPAN INFLUENCE MODERN JAPAN

Almost all the behaviour of the Japanese people today, is due to the effect of the medieval samurai. The etiquette of Japan today, is entirely based on the medieval samurai. The hierarchy is also based on the samurai influence.

Medieval samurai used to bow to each other, to show their sincerity. Today, people in Japan keep bowing. The hierarchy of Japan, was also something the medieval samurai created to distinguish and control the ''higher class'' people from ''lower class" people. The same hierarchy still governs Japan today. All of the ''social normal'' of Japan today, are created by these medieval samurais.

In Medieval Japan, martial arts was a form of combat used by Samurais in their process of training for war.

In Modern Japan, martial arts is also a form of combat used by Policeman in their process of training for self-defence.

Sumo, previously known as Sumai is a Japanese form of wrestling and is japans national sport, sumo originated around 20BC as a performance to entertain the Shinto gods, as well as a form of military combat.

This profession is still applied to the lifestyle of modern Japan. Sumo tournaments are held and it is also a religious performance for the Shinto gods.

Modern Sumo also uses traditional techniques from the Medieval Sumo; to attempt to defeat their opponents. They use tsuparri, which is slapping; ketaguri, which is sweeping; and a broad variety of utchari, which is sacrifice throws.