Test: Medieval Japan - UPSC MCQ

 Medieval Japan refers to the period from the 12th century to the 16th century when feudalism, samurai culture, and the shogunate system were dominant.

Minamoto no Yoritomo was the founder of the Kamakura Shogunate in 1192, marking the beginning of the shogunate system in Japan.

Bushido was the samurai code of conduct, emphasizing virtues such as loyalty, bravery, and self-discipline, and it played a significant role in shaping the behavior of samurai during Medieval Japan.

Tokugawa Ieyasu, following the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, successfully unified Japan and became the first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Daimyo were powerful feudal lords who owned and controlled vast land estates, governed their regions, and maintained their own samurai armies.

Sen no Rikyu was a prominent figure in Japanese tea culture and played a crucial role in shaping the traditional Japanese tea ceremony with a focus on simplicity and tranquility.

Francisco Xavier, a Portuguese explorer and Jesuit missionary, arrived in Japan in 1543, marking the beginning of European contact with Japan.

The "Kamikaze" refers to typhoons that helped repel the Mongol invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281, which were considered as divine interventions protecting Japan from foreign invasion.

The Tale of Genji, written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu during the Heian period, is a classic work of Japanese literature and is often regarded as the world's first novel.

Emperor Meiji was the ruler during the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912), a period of modernization and the end of the Tokugawa shogunate and the feudal system in Japan.

The Onin War (1467-1477) was a conflict between rival daimyo families that weakened the Ashikaga Shogunate, leading to its eventual downfall.

Christianity was introduced to Japan by Jesuit missionaries in the 16th century and had a significant influence on certain aspects of Japanese society, but its popularity was later suppressed during the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Empress Suiko and her regent, Prince Shotoku, were responsible for the construction of Japan's first permanent capital, Nara, in 710 CE.

During the Edo period, samurai served as professional warriors and retainers to their daimyo, following a strict code of honor and loyalty.

The Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 solidified Tokugawa Ieyasu's control over Japan and marked the beginning of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Japanese castles were primarily built as defensive fortifications and military bases to protect the daimyo and their territories during the feudal period.

The tea ceremony, known as "chanoyu" or "sado," flourished during the Heian period, especially among the aristocracy, as an important cultural practice.

During the Heian period, women of the imperial court became proficient in writing and composing poetry using the phonetic kana script, especially in the form of hiragana poetry.

Muso Soseki, a Zen monk, is credited with designing the renowned Zen rock garden at Ryoanji Temple in Kyoto, known for its minimalist and meditative qualities.

The Meiji Restoration in 1868 marked the end of Japan's isolationist policy, the collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate, and the restoration of imperial power, leading to a period of modernization and significant changes in Japan.