Intro to Medieval Japan

The medieval period of Japan stretched from 1185 to 1603 CE with stand out features of the period include the replacement of the aristocracy by the samurai class as the most powerful social group, the establishment of shogun military rulers and their regents and the decline in power of the emperors and Buddhist monasteries. The country witnessed long periods of civil wars as warlords and large estate owners (daimyo) fought for prominence and the central government struggled to unify Japan. There were also developments in agriculture, commerce, and trade. The arts flourished, especially ink painting and performance arts.