Japan Flashcards
Feudal system
a strict social system in which landowners grant people land or other rewards in exchange for military service or labor
daimyo
local landowning lord in feudal Japan
shogun
powerful Japanese military leader who often had more power than the emperor
vassal
in medieval Europe and Japan, noblemen who received land from other noblemen in return for their services
samurai
highly trained Japanese warrior in feudal Japan
Bushido
"the way of the warrior," a strict code of conduct that guided samurai behavior
Shinto
traditional religion that originated in Japan
Zen Buddhism
Type of Buddhism focusing on meditation; strongly influenced by Taoism.
origami
art of folding paper
tanka
Five line poem often about nature using similes, metaphors, and personification. 5/7/5/7/7 syllables
haiku
Three line poem often about nature with 5/7/5 syllable arrangement
archipelago
group of islands
kami
god or spirit who represents a force of nature in the Japanese religion
figurehead
person who appears to be in charge when someone else is really in control
shrine
place of worship