Muromachi period
Medieval Japanese era
The Muromachi period is an era in Japanese history spanning roughly 1336 to 1573, when the Ashikaga shogunate governed from the Muromachi district of Kyoto.
The period saw the flourishing of Zen Buddhism, Noh theater, tea ceremony, and ink wash painting.
It ended with the onset of the Warring States period.
Also called the Ashikaga period.
Japan's military supreme commander
- KyotoJapan's former imperial seat
- military governmentRegime led by armed forces
- daimyoJapanese feudal landowner
- successionFollowing in order
authority · regime · unification · mandate · governance
Samurai honor system
- katanaCurved Japanese fighting blade
- daimyoJapanese feudal landowner
- roninFeudal drifter-warrior
- seppukuRitualized Japanese self-disembowelment
armor · wakizashi · kenjutsu · clan · retainer · loyalty · honor · warrior code
Aesthetic valuing transience, incompleteness
- tatamiWoven rush floor mat
- kimonoWraparound Japanese garment
- sakePurpose or interest
- flower arrangementComposed display of cut blooms
Chinese influence · merchant class · guild · trade · aesthetic ideals · simplicity · impermanence
Ritualized beverage preparation
- sumi-eJapanese monochrome brush painting
- ikebanaJapanese arrangement of blooms
- calligraphyOrnamental handwriting art
- rock gardenArranged stones with plants
folding screens · gold leaf · ink painting · patronage · aesthetic · refinement · performance · mask
Era of competing Chinese kingdoms
- battleArmed military engagement
- siegeEncirclement forcing surrender
- castleFortified medieval residence
- fortressHeavily defended military structure
conscription · cavalry · infantry · alliance · betrayal · civil war · territory · warlords
Handleless ceramic drinking vessels
- lacquerwareResin-finished decorative objects
- folding screensHinged panels creating partitions
- scrollsRolled written records
- katanaCurved Japanese fighting blade
Woven rush floor mat
- alcoveRecessed area in room
- sliding doorsPanels moving on tracks
- verandaRoofed open-air porch
- residential designPlanning living spaces
Religious seclusion dwelling
- meditationFocused attention practice
- zazenZen seated meditation
- koanBuddhist mind-puzzle
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
dharma · temple · ink wash · Chinese influence · abbots
shogun
Japan's military supreme commander
- KyotoJapan's former imperial seat
- military governmentRegime led by armed forces
- daimyoJapanese feudal landowner
succession · authority · regime · unification · mandate · governance
bushido
Samurai honor system
seppuku · armor · wakizashi · kenjutsu · clan · retainer · loyalty · honor · warrior code · helmet
wabi-sabi
Aesthetic valuing transience, incompleteness
flower arrangement · Chinese influence · merchant class · guild · trade · aesthetic ideals · simplicity · impermanence
tea ceremony
Ritualized beverage preparation
- sumi-eJapanese monochrome brush painting
- ikebanaJapanese arrangement of blooms
- calligraphyOrnamental handwriting art
rock garden · folding screens · gold leaf · ink painting · patronage · aesthetic · refinement · performance · mask · shite
Warring States
Era of competing Chinese kingdoms
- battleArmed military engagement
- siegeEncirclement forcing surrender
- castleFortified medieval residence
fortress · conscription · cavalry · infantry · alliance · betrayal · civil war · territory · warlords · campaigns
tea bowls
Handleless ceramic drinking vessels
- lacquerwareResin-finished decorative objects
- folding screensHinged panels creating partitions
- scrollsRolled written records
katana · wakizashi · netsuke · porcelain · ceramics · armor · byobu
tatami
Woven rush floor mat
- alcoveRecessed area in room
- sliding doorsPanels moving on tracks
- verandaRoofed open-air porch
monastery
Religious seclusion dwelling
- meditationFocused attention practice
- zazenZen seated meditation
- koanBuddhist mind-puzzle
enlightenment · dharma · temple · ink wash · Chinese influence · abbots
- Japanese Historyshogunate, samurai, Tokugawa Ieyasu, shogun, daimyo
- ancient Japanshogun, daimyo, emperors, Yamato, Nara
- feudal Japansamurai, shogun, daimyo, shogunate, bushido
- Japanese ErasMeiji, Nara, Genji
- Asian ErasTang Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, Qing Dynasty, Three Kingdoms, Mughal Empire
- Muromachi JapanAshikaga shogunate, shogun
Muromachi periodmodern Japan
Contemporary Japanese society