Lady Murasaki Shikibu 

Murasaki Shikibu (c. 973 - 1025) was a novelist, poet, and servant of the imperial court during the Heian period of Japan. She is well known as the author of The Tale of Genji, written about year 1000 and said to be the first novel in the world of literature. Lady Murasaki's mother died while she was a child, so Murasaki was raised, contrary to customs of the time, by her father, a scholar and officer of the imperial court. During this period of Japanese history, couples lived separately and children were raised by the mother and her family. Also contrary to customs of the time, her father gave her a male's education. Males were educated in and taught Chinese, the official language of the court, while females were taught kana and poetry. Her father praised her intelligence and ability, but lamented she was "born a woman". Three works are attributed to Murasaki, the most important being The Tale of Genji. The Murasaki Shikibu Diary and The Murasaki Shikibu Collection were arranged and published posthumously.

Feudal Japan Social Hierarchy  Both Europe and Japan used a class system in which most people farmed and supported the warrior and ruling classes above them. At the top of society was the emperor. Although the emperor did hold power at some points in history, for most of the Feudal Era, powerful Shoguns were in control on the Emperor’s behalf. Since the Emperor was considered divine (related to the gods) he could not be thrown out of power completely as this would be a crime against heaven. Instead the Shogun would use the Emperor as a figurehead and kept military control. Daimyo were nobility that controlled large areas of land and kept private armies. They swore loyalty to the Shogun similar to the nobility in Europe swore loyalty to their King. Samurai were the skilled warrior class of Japan. Just like the Knights of Europe, they fought for a certain Daimyo (Lord) and came from warrior families. Peasant Farmers, Artisans, and Merchants were at the bottom of society and made up most of the population. They fed and supported the upper classes in exchange for protection. Merchants were the least respected in Japanese society as they did not produce any goods, but simply sold what others made. This is different from most societies in which money is the most important factor.

Japanese Geography and Influential Neighbors  

  Japan is an island nation which has given it some natural protection from invasion and provided excellent fishing. The limited farming land meant that land had to be used carefully. Mild weather and sustainable production led to rice evolving as the main crop. Japan’s natural beauty led to a deep respect for nature in every form. Japan’s traditional religion "Shinto" celebrated the divine spirit in all natural things and respect for one’s ancestors. Japan is close to both Korea and China" but was more heavily influenced by mighty China. In fact, China named Japan “Land of the Rising Sun” (Nippon). Buddhism came from China and merged with Shinto customs. Japan also adapted ideas from Chinese farming practices, landscape painting, writing and Confucian forms of government. Japanese Prince Shotoku famously helped spread Chinese knowledge and ideas with his support and is sometimes called “The Father of Japanese Buddhism.”

Bushido: The Warrior’s Code  

 Bushido was the code of conduct for Japan's warrior classes. It translates literally to "way of the warrior. Bushido was followed by Japan's samurai warriors in feudal Japan, as well as much of central and east Asia. The principles of bushido emphasized honor, courage, skill in the martial arts, and loyalty to a warrior's master (daimyo) above all else. It is somewhat similar to the ideas of chivalry that knights followed in feudal Europe.

A more elaborate list of the virtues encoded in bushido includes frugality, righteousness, courage, benevolence, respect, sincerity, honor, loyalty, and self-control. Bushido was an ethical system, rather than a religious belief system. The ideal samurai warrior was supposed to be immune from the fear of death. Only the fear of dishonor and loyalty to his daimyo motivated the true samurai. If a samurai felt that he had lost his honor (or was about to lose it) according to the rules of bushido, he could regain his standing by committing a rather painful form of ritual suicide, called "seppuku."

While European feudal religious codes of conduct forbade suicide, in feudal Japan it was the ultimate act of bravery. A samurai who committed seppuku would not only regain his honor, he would actually gain prestige for his courage in facing death calmly. This became a cultural touchstone in Japan, so much so that warrior code is still part of the ideas and culture that form modern day Japan.

Japanese Culture 

Japan developed a rich cultural tradition consisting of multiple art styles. In the theatre, Shinto dances evolved into productions about folktales and legends called Noh. Sets and costumes continued to become more and more elaborate. Carved wooden masks and music helped convey emotion and specific characters. Later, the Kabuki style developed with heavy makeup and even more spectacular costumes. Kabuki used emotional singing in their storytelling and often focused on ordinary people. Both styles continue into the modern day and only allow male actors. Poetry, calligraphy, and flower arranging were popular arts used by the elites to show off their status. It was believed that the highest levels of society had the sensitivity and good breeding to practice these skills to perfection. Lower classes would not have had time to write poetry or refine their handwriting like the elite. All were important signs of being well-educated. Painting and gardening also developed in uniquely Japanese ways with recognizable styles still admired in the modern world. Paintings were done with ink and brush and often showed landscapes or natural scenes. Gardens developed along with the Buddhism movement to be places of peace and meditation.