Page 133 - DK Children's Encyclopedia

Imperial Japan SEE ALSO

▸ ▸ Art p.28
▸ ▸ Dance p.76
During the Edo period, from 1603 to ▸ ▸ Knights p.142
1868, Japan was ruled by a series of A horned helmet ▸ ▸ Musical
was part of a
powerful men called shoguns. samurai’s armor. instruments

Each ruled from the city of p.175
Edo, which is now Tokyo. ▸ ▸ Theater p.253
▸ ▸ War pp.278–279

Noble samurai Making music
Samurai were warriors who fought Music has always played
for a powerful lord and followed an important part in
strict rules. Their way of life was Japanese culture. This
called Bushido (bu-shi-do), “the instrument, called a
way of the warrior.” shamisen (sha-mee-sen),
is like a guitar. It provided
background music for
The main weapon was dance performances
a sword called a katana. and puppet theater.

Shamisens have
three strings
and a square
body.

Strict command
Edo society’s chain of command
was strict. The emperor was the
leader, but the shogun was in
charge of the lords, who were
called daimyo. The daimyo were
in charge of the samurai army.

Emperor

Shogun (sho-gun)
Art
Poets, painters, writers, and
craftspeople made beautiful
works of art during this time. Daimyo (die-myo)
This print from 1857 shows a
traditional Japanese scene of
trees and a river in the snow. Samurai (sa-moo-rai)

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