Daily Life in Shogunate Japan
Open this deck in Kuraplan
Sign in to view all 8 slides, customise, present or download.
Slide preview
First 8 of 8 slides
Daily Life in Shogunate Japan
Exploring social roles and daily routines Year 8 History - NSW Curriculum Understanding life under the Tokugawa Shogunate
The Social Hierarchy of Shogunate Japan
Shogun - Supreme military ruler at the top Daimyo - Feudal lords who controlled territories Samurai - Warrior class with strict codes of honour Farmers - Respected for producing food Artisans - Skilled craftspeople and builders Merchants - Lowest class despite wealth
Men's Daily Lives and Responsibilities
Samurai men: Military training, administrative duties, maintaining family honour Farmers: Rice cultivation, following seasonal cycles, paying taxes to lords Artisans: Crafting goods like pottery, textiles, and tools Merchants: Trading goods despite low social status All men expected to be heads of households Education focused on Confucian classics and practical skills
Women's Lives and the 'Three Obediences'
Three Obediences: Obey father, then husband, then eldest son Managed household finances and domestic affairs Samurai women: Educated in arts, poetry, and household management Merchant women: Often helped run family businesses Farmer women: Worked in fields alongside domestic duties Geisha: Exceptional artists and entertainers with independence
Childhood in Shogunate Japan
Children considered adults by age 7 Genpuku ceremony marked boys' transition to adulthood Samurai children: Learned martial arts, Confucian classics, calligraphy Common children: Attended Terakoya schools for basic reading and math Girls learned domestic skills and arts appropriate to their class Play time was limited - work began early
Daily Life: Elite vs Common People
{"left":"Elite (Samurai/Daimyo): Lived in castles or large estates\nElaborate ceremonies and formal dress codes\nMultiple meals with rice, fish, and vegetables\nServants to handle domestic tasks\nEducation in arts, literature, and military skills","right":"Common People (Farmers/Artisans): Simple wooden homes with tatami mats\nPlain clothing suitable for work\nSimple diet of vegetables, occasional fish, rice on special occasions\nAll family members worked to survive\nBasic education focused on practical skills"}
Reflection Question
If you were a child in Shogunate Japan, would you prefer to be: A merchant's son with potential wealth but low social status? OR A samurai's daughter with high status but strict restrictions? Consider: education opportunities, daily responsibilities, future prospects, and personal freedom
Key Vocabulary and Concepts
Shogun: Supreme military ruler of Japan Genpuku: Coming-of-age ceremony for boys Patriarchal: Society ruled by men as heads of families Terakoya: Temple schools for common children Shoji: Paper sliding doors in traditional homes Three Obediences: Philosophy governing women's lives Daimyo: Feudal lords who controlled territories