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AnonymousThe Kenmu Code and the Shotoku Constitution were alike where the Kenmu Code states: Do not be envious, for if we envy others then they will in turn envy us and the evil of envy know no limits. And the Shotoku Constitution states in Article 1: The need for enforcing frugality. That indulgences, extravagances and excesses should be suppressed. I see both guidelines, from different periods of time in Japanese history, calling for the people to be humble and grateful for their society together.
edited by hhardwick on 5/17/2015
AnonymousThese Japan warriors are different from Chinese warriors because they keep the Empire as puppet so to speak. The Empire in Japan has no real power, its the warrior family that has all the control. In China, they would have killed the empire and taken over completely saying they were chosen by the gods.
AnonymousThe Kenmu Code did not reference Buddhism in the most respectful manner as Shotoku's Constitution. In the Constitution #2, Buddhism and the priesthood are seen as "treasures". On the other hand, the Kenmu Code Article #8 warned Zen priests from meddling in government. What has transitioned from these two periods that marked such stark differences in the treatment of Buddhism? I didn't think Zen Buddhist cared too much about political governance to "meddle" with the court. Interestingly, these Zen priests were warned in the same way as "courtiers" and "women"...
AnonymousEvery time I think about feudal Japan I am almost always intrigued about how similar it is to the feudal system that existed almost concurrently in Europe even though they were half way around the world apart. I come to believe that feudalism is an inevitable outcome for any society that meets the proper requirements. In Europe, feudalism was a response to the fall of the Roman Empire which saw a collapse of centralized control of the empire. On the hand, feudal Japan occurred because of the lack of centralized control from the imperial court which was too busy with its court life. In these cases, the rise of a powerful warlord/general was necessary to fill the power vacuum that was left by the centralized government.
Anonymous[font=Times, 'Times New Roman', serif]Japanese government desired distinctiveness and homogeneousness. As such, Japanese imperial court intrigue seemed to have eclipsed Japanese politics, which led to the rise of the power of the Shogunate. For the Japanese emperor, there is one imperial bloodline - the descendants of whom are said to have come from the sun goddess. Even so, the power of the Shogunate appears to have more sway in political matters than the emperor himself.[/font]
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AnonymousKenmu code article 15 states the need for hearing suits brought by poor and weak vassals. The shogun must pay attention and show compassion for the poor vassals. This 4 article appears to contrast shotoku 3rd clause of obeying the sovereign. This would leave little recourse to those that are poor and weak. Article 7 and 14 of Kenmu (the need for selecting men of ability to fill posts of constable in the provinces, and awarding special rewards to those with strong reputations and loyalty) seem to be difficult to implement since constable positions were held by men from powerful families and on the basis of birth. Clause 11 of Shotoku calls for understanding the difference between merit and demerit. It asks high officials to reward and punish accordingly. Kenmu states to reward those men that are upright and loyal. It also makes clear to remove those men that are harmful. One can infer that they will be punished in some way.
edited by rmartinez on 6/23/2015
clay dubeAttached is an extract of the guidelines laid out by the Ashikaga clan as they established the first of Japan's shogunates. In what ways are these similar to or different from the principles advocated during the classical era (Shotoku constitution, Heian era declarations)?