Grade 7, Lesson Outline: Chapter 9, Lesson 3

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
Lesson at a Glance Outline

Chapter 9, Lesson 3: The Power of the Shoguns (pp. 231-236)

I. A Warrior Government

A. As the Fujiwara family lost power to the provincial nobles, the government made alliances with these warrior clans to help put down rebellions.

B. In 1192, Yoritomo of the Minamoto clan won the battle for control of the kingdom and came to rule Japan as shogun, or great general. Shoguns ruled the country, while emperors were simply figureheads.

C. The shogun was supported by daimyos, or lords of provincial estates, who relied on samurai warriors for protection.

D. After a Mongol invasion was turned back in 1281, the samurai demanded payment from the shogun, who could not pay. After 50-year period of war, the Ashikaga family won the shogunate and moved the capital to Kyoto.

II. Development of Religious Sects

B. Amida Buddhism emphasized a happy afterlife; Nichiren Buddhism believed in the Lotus Sutra, an ancient Indian text; and Zen Buddhism stressed individual enlightenment through mental and physical exercise.

III. A Unified Culture

B. Japanese Noh drama developed from both Shinto and Buddhist forms of worship.

C. Buddhist beliefs influenced the creation of Japanese gardens, especially rock gardens, which provide a place for meditation.

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