Japanese History Trivia Quiz

The Shogun was a military leader in feudal Japan who held real power and authority, unlike the emperor who was more of a figurehead. The Shogun was responsible for maintaining law and order, protecting the country from external threats, and overseeing the samurai warriors. This position held significant political and military influence, making the Shogun the de facto ruler of Japan during the feudal period.

The Shogun is the correct answer because in feudal Japan, the Shogun held the real power and control over the country. The Emperor, although considered the highest authority, had limited political power and was more of a figurehead. The Shogun, on the other hand, was the military dictator who ruled in the Emperor's name and had control over the military, government, and administration of the country. The Shogunate system allowed the Shogun to have centralized control and authority, making them the true controllers of Japan during that time.

Bushido is the correct answer because it refers to the strict code of honor followed by samurai warriors in feudal Japan. It emphasized virtues such as loyalty, honor, courage, and self-discipline. Seppuku refers to a form of ritual suicide, Zen is a school of Buddhism, and Shinto is a traditional Japanese religion. However, none of these options represent the specific code of conduct followed by samurai, making Bushido the correct choice.

Feudal Japan was divided into smaller sections, each controlled by a daimyo. The daimyo were powerful landowners and feudal lords who ruled over their own territories. They were responsible for maintaining law and order, collecting taxes, and providing military service to the shogun, the supreme military commander. The daimyo held significant power and influence in their respective regions, often having their own samurai warriors under their command. They played a crucial role in the feudal system of Japan, contributing to the political and social structure of the country during that time.

The correct answer is "From 1192 until 1868." This is because the Ashikaga shogunate ruled Japan from 1336 to 1573, and the Tokugawa shogunate ruled from 1603 to 1868. The Kamakura shogunate, on the other hand, ruled from 1185 to 1333. Therefore, the period from 1192 until 1868 encompasses the rule of all three major shogunates in Japan.

In ancient Japan, the emperor was believed to be a descendent of the sun god Amaterasu. This belief was rooted in the Shinto religion, which considered the emperor to be a divine figure. The emperor's lineage from Amaterasu symbolized his legitimacy and divine right to rule. This belief also reinforced the emperor's authority and elevated his status above other rulers. The idea of the emperor being a descendent of Amaterasu played a crucial role in shaping the political and religious landscape of ancient Japan.

Confucius is the correct answer because his teachings greatly influenced Japan's feudal structure. Confucianism emphasized the importance of social hierarchy, respect for authority, and filial piety, which aligned with the values of the Japanese feudal system. Confucian ideals were adopted by the ruling class and became the basis for the hierarchical structure of the samurai and daimyo, as well as the code of conduct for the Japanese society during the feudal period.

The statement that "They were the lowest class in feudal society" is not true about Japanese peasants. While it is true that they were often poor, could be killed for dishonoring the samurai class, and could not move or marry without permission, they were not the lowest class in feudal society. The lowest class in feudal society was the eta, who were considered to be outside of the four-class system and were treated as untouchables.

The first official Japanese delegation to the United States, known as the Japanese Embassy to the United States, visited New York City in 1860. This delegation was sent by the Tokugawa Shogunate after the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce (Harris Treaty) in 1858. The samurai diplomats traveled aboard the USS Powhatan and were welcomed with great enthusiasm. Their visit was a significant moment in Japan-U.S. relations, marking Japan’s efforts to engage with the Western world after centuries of isolation under the Sakoku policy.

Samurai boys were usually given their first sword at the age of 5. This suggests that at a very young age, they were introduced to the samurai culture and began their training in the art of swordsmanship. It also implies that the samurai society valued early initiation into the warrior way and believed in starting the training of young boys as early as possible. This early exposure to the sword and training would have allowed the boys to develop their skills and discipline from a young age, preparing them for their future roles as samurai warriors.