Medieval Japan

An economic and political system that developed in the Middle Ages

The spread of cultural elements from one society to another

Head of Japanese military government in the era of the samurai

A group of related families

A Japanese professional warrior

A Japanese novelist and poet during the Heian period; author of The Tale of Genji

This still affects Japanese culture today by contributing to Japanese loyalty, sense of honor, and discipline.

Hierarchy where a king, or emperor, provides protection to his vassals in return for their loyalty

A code of conduct that governed the samurai's life

Regent ruler who helped Japan develop and brought influences of China to Japan

A Japanese local lord, or noble, in the era of the samurai

A system of organizing people into ranks with higher ranks having more power and privileges

the everyday language of a people

A native Japanese religion that combines the worship of ancestors and spirits called kami

One who rules in the name of another

A member of a ruler's court

classic Japanese style of painting developed during the Heian Period

a sensitivity, or gentle sadness, that life is not permanent

the belief that objects have a soul

A Japanese form of Buddhism emphasizing the value of meditation and intuition

courtly code of conduct focused on beauty and manners

A major form of Japanese verse (poetry)