World History : Feudal Japan

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Feudal Japan

The Sengoku Period in Japan lasted from __________________.

Possible Answers:

the late 15th to early 17th century

the early 13th to the late 15th century

The Sengoku period is not a commonly acknowledged period in Japanese history

660 CE to 900 CE

Correct answer:

the late 15th to early 17th century

Explanation:

An extremely violent and unstable period in the history of Feudal Japan, the Sengoku Period began with the end of the Onin War in 1467, and ended in 1603 when the Tokugawa Shogunate consolidated power. 

Example Question #2 : Feudal Japan

What is the name for the period of constant civil war and social turmoil that occurred during 16th Japan?

Possible Answers:

Meiji Restoration

Sengoku Period

Heian Period

Sakoku

Correct answer:

Sengoku Period

Explanation:

The Sengoku period lasted for nearly 150 years, ending with the rise of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1603.

Example Question #2 : Feudal Japan

In Feudal Japan, which social class had the most political power?

Possible Answers:

Daimyos

Emperor

Shogun

Samurai

Correct answer:

Shogun

Explanation:

In Feudal Japan, the political power lay with the shoguns, who were similar to military dictators. The emperor was a figurehead who had no rule power. The samurai were the warriors of the shoguns, similar to European knights. The merchants were the lowest class, because the Japanese saw the occupation of buying and selling as distasteful.

Example Question #3 : Feudal Japan

What position, appointed by the Shogun was akin to a magistrate, which was responsible for either the running of a large city, a government department, or a region?

Possible Answers:

Daimyo

Shoya

Daikan

Tenno

Bugyo

Correct answer:

Bugyo

Explanation:

A Bugyo was an appointed position, held by Samurais. They were responsible for the general running of cities and regions as well as finance and development. They reported directly to the Shogun. Originally the term only applied to officials who were appointed with a designated task to complete. However, the position was formalized during the Edo period (1603-1868) until eventually there were 36 Bugyo positions in the Japanese bureaucracy. 

Example Question #4 : Feudal Japan

Under which 16th century Japanese Daimyo (Lord) did Japan undertake its first formal trade relations, as well as cultural exchanges, with Europe?

Possible Answers:

Hideki Tojo

Michinomiya Hirohito

Shinzo Abe

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Oda Nobunaga

Correct answer:

Oda Nobunaga

Explanation:

Nobunaga (1534-1582) was very interested in European culture and even wore European clothes. He collected western artwork and also encouraged trade with Siam, Indonesia, and the Philippines; countries outside the usual Japanese region of Northeast China and Korea. Moreover, even though the goal of Japanese unification had been apparent for some time, Nobunaga was the first daimyo to make tangible efforts at unification as he unified several provinces in his immediate region and opened trade avenues with the outside world. 

Example Question #5 : Feudal Japan

What Japanese military class followed the code known as bushidō and was somewhat related to European concepts of chivalry?

Possible Answers:

Daimyo

Samurai

Shogun

Peasants

Ronin

Correct answer:

Samurai

Explanation:

Bushidō differed in that the samurai were not tied to land which they protected as a European knight might do, but were more focused on the protection of their lord, the daimyo. Daimyo were subordinate to the Shogun. Ronin were samurai who had failed to commit seppuku, ritual suicide, and were therefore not serving a lord.

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