Running head: HISTORY OF WAR: CHINA AND JAPAN 1

History of War: China and Japan

[Author Name(s), First M. Last, Omit Titles and Degrees]

[Institutional Affiliation(s)]
History of War: China and Japan 2

History of War: China and Japan

The aim of the paper is to develop an understanding of warfare and its effect on the

political stability of the country. Its effect on the development of the country from an economic,

technological and cultural perspective. Furthermore, relationships between the military and non-

military elites are also studied. For this purpose, the history of Japan and China is analyzed in

detail in the paper.

Japan

Wars are considered as an action that brings violence in the region. War not only torn the

land into disputes but also followed by a massive mass killing, hatred, the downfall of economy

and resources, death of loved ones and creating an environment of hatred and injustice among

those who suffered from it. Japan has also gone through several problems and warfare issues that

bring political instability. One faction of people think that wars bring stability in the country

while the others faction has opposite views on wars.

Political Stability

Political stability was gained by Muromachi Shogunate in the early fifteenth century. To

create a balance of power between chieftains and shogun, he presided over them. Areas such as

the Northern Honshu and Eastern provinces of Kanto were out of effective control of Shogun. A

rival was created between the ruler and the military force officials. In order to restore the power,

and peace in the region, he formalizes a legal formula or house code also known as Kaho. Most

of the articles in the code were associated with the daimyo’s own house. Moreover, they

prescribed law for all the general population and warrior houses. These articles for general

population and warrior houses deal with land disputes, payment, and non-payment of taxes,

judicial procedures, the punishment of criminals, gambling, drinking, borrow111ing, and

lending. However, the majority of house code articles deal with the relationship between vessel

and daimyo.

Japan’s medieval ages were a time where private revenge was at the ruling. The social

lives of medieval people were covered in darkness by an aboriginal. People at that time were

highly sensitive. For instance, they were hypersensitive to personal insults, high potential for

explosive anger, and their sense of inhibiting death to the point of misery. Furthermore, a small

conflict can lead to bloodshed and private battles. These battles could only be resolved by

shedding the blood of rivals. 1 Therefore, the impact of these fights were very high people keep

on planning against their enemies. That time which could be used for development and

prosperity of their country was lost in taking revenge with others and planning wars against

them.

In the late fifteen century, when peace was restoring, Nobunaga planned a new public and

economic policies. He unconstrained dealers from seeking the shield of guilds and eliminated the

barrier of the toll in the areas he was having control over. He tried to stabilize the economy by

developing exchange rated between different types of coins. Nobunaga’s strength and power

were growing day by day until he was attacked by one of his general Akechi Mitsuhide in 1582.

Although Nobunaga pacified central Japan, the warlords were having the control of northern

Japan and the larger portion of Southwest Japan.2

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De Bary, Gluck and Tiedemann, Sources Of Japanese Tradition.250-254
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History of War: China and Japan 4

Cultural, Social, and Political Impact of War

In medieval Japan and new Japan, the greatest change observed was the improvement in

the relationship between men and women. In medieval Japan, women were sent as concubines;

They were prohibited from taking part in any educational activity and were seen as an object of

sexual gratification. In the new Japan, women started to take over many jobs that only men can

do like writing letters, serving as secretaries, transmitting orders on behalf of the monarch,

shogun or regent. The changing positions of women in the societies reflects a positive effect of

end of war. This was one of the most anticipated changes in the culturally conservative

environment.

Economic conditions get better, as the transformation in the rural areas of Japan happens

in the fourteen centuries. Water vehicles improved the irrigation and farming system, two crops

were irrigated in a year which increased commerce and population growth. The use of cash for

large and small transactions was observed in this era. Furthermore, markets appeared in places

where people gather to buy things according to their needs. Another important development was

the spread of guilt, in which the trader sells a product to a Nobel person and gets two privileges

in return.

The change in culture was observed where Zen-influenced arts were more observed in

this era. People in Japan start preferring simple objects in their life instead of highly decorative

objects which were inspired by Chinese culture. 3

The monarch power was badly affected in Japan due to the war situation. The monarch

GoDaigo planned to restore the power. After the restoration of power, he revived the royal

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History of War: China and Japan 5

privilege of judging lawsuits and monarchial records office. Three years later, when Shogunate

asked him to abdicate in favor of his cousin’s, he called for loyalists people all over Japan for a

revolt against the Shogunate. However, GoDaigo was exiled to a remote island. Later on, Takuji

brings back GoDaigo from exile but he was behind his abdication and place his cousin on the

throne. The war between GoDaigo and Takuji didn’t bring any peace to the region, leading to

political and economic instability in the country. 4 The GoDaigo’s era reflects that conspiracies

and struggle to gain power was the main aim of people of that time. Everyone was thirty for

power and wealth. To achieve those dreams many were killed and many people were exiled.

Therefore, Japan was not only going through external conflicts but internal conflicts were also

damaging it.

Development after the End of Wars

After the end of wars, the trade of Japan improved with China, Korea, and Southeast Asia

whereas the domestic trade based on agriculture improves. A shift in the patterns of marriage and

the extent of a legacy by the firstborn son improved patriarchal power in the governing class.

Religiously based leagues become a dead end in history. They lost their political and economic

power, but religious beliefs acquainted cultural values. Furthermore, the fame of tea ritual among

traders anticipated the spread of common culture, which involved townspeople. The art of Zen

such as garden rocks and simplicity defined what people think often. Zen arts appeared as

appealing art to the Japanese people in the after-war period5.

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History of War: China and Japan 6

China

In the sixteenth century, the decline in the Chinese dynasty was apparent. Rich people

have expanded their land hold by legal and illegal means. Rich people give loans to poor

farmers, and when they were unable to pay the debt they forcefully occupy their lands.

Moreover, these farmers become slaves to avoid military service and tax collection. Internal war

and conflict have affected the country badly, where corruption in the military was at its peak. As

a result, decline in the number of military personnel was observed, to overcome this situation a

new force was formed followed by recommendations from Yi Yulkog.6 The aggressive

personality of emperors and other nobel men creates an atmosphere where people fear for their

lives. This effected the internal security situation of China as more people were turned against

such emperors who were more into wars and less interested in the prosperity of their people.

Relationship on Borders

In the 1950’s the relationship of Japan was improved with China. During this time, Korea

found itself in a difficult spot between the two countries. It had a conflict with the declining

Ming Dynasty and the rising Jurchen tribes in Manchuria.7 The poor showing of the Joseon

army during Manchus and the Japanese invasion made it necessary to reorganize the Chinese

armed forces.8 In the same year, the Chinese invaded North Korea, which had a great impact on

China itself. Its economy was shattered, the inflation rate was high, the fiscal budget was

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extremely tight and sources were in scarcity. Moreover, the internal security of the country was

itself in danger due to factions rising within the military arm forces.

Improvement in Trade

In 1600’s, after facing a loss in Yingzong military war on Mongols, the Ming Dynasty

considered Mongols are their primary military threat. Ming government faces old and new

challenges on its borders. At that time, maritime trade flourished, which enabled an increase in

the wealth of the country. To increase their trade in the Indian Ocean, Chengzu ordered a series

of voyages to invite people for trade under the supervision of his most trusted eunuch Zheng He.

The first three expeditions stopped in Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and India. The

fourth expedition went into the Arabia and Persian Gulf while the last voyages landed on east

African coast. In these voyages, Zhen He visits rulers to convey the peaceful message of China’s

peaceful intention for trade. Later on, these voyages were abandoned because they did not profit

the country in the way they were expected.9 Although Chengzu tried to increase the trade in a

different way but his plan was not good enough. Sea trade wasn’t considered safe at that time

because pirates were everywhere and it was difficult to catch them.

Social and Cultural Trends

Ming emperors have treated their civil servants in a harsh and arbitrary way. However, at

that time, educated men were eager to join bureaucracy. As compared to the Yuan period, during

Ming times, examinations were considered as one of the most prestigious ways to join

government services. All the contestants were supposed to write in the “eight-legged” style, read

four books of Zhu Xi’s and its interpretation. Another important feature was the conduction of

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screening tests at the provincial level. The quota system was established to ensure that no one

province dominated government jobs. 10 During the Ming dynasty time, the education system

was improved after the war, progress in education field can be observed from the present

situation of China, where China is among top countries of the world.

A literati culture emerged in urban cities. With the growth of cities and the

commercialization of the economy and culture of those who spend money in cities with the aim

of increasing entertainment appeared. Books such as religious, ledger for calculating good

actions and deducting the disadvantages from bad ones were published on a large scale, which

enables the middle urban class to study them. To make these books attractive, the entrepreneurs

asked the artist to illustrate them. By the 16th century, books were published on a large scale

dialect language. During the Ming period, the long novel appeared. Some of the famous novels

include the journey to the west, the romance of the three kingdoms, and plum in the golden vase.

The musical drama also emerged during the Ming Dynasty. These musical dramas were themed

on love stories and satire songs.11 After the end of war, China not only improved and developed

itself in political and cultural aspect but it also improved social and education field.

China after Restoring Peace

China's population doubled from 80 million to 200 million in the Ming dynasty. Small

marketplace were installed all over the country. Cheap water transport increases the regional

specializations in cash cropping. By the end of the 16th century, Yangzai river delta becomes a

huge center for the farming of silk and cotton farms, coast of Fujian was famous for sugar cane

and tobacco crops whereas porcelain was manufactured at Jingdezhen in Jiangxi. Furthermore,

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the unequal tax collection system was becoming a headache for the government. They bring the

lijia system and tax reforms to collect the tax uniformly from all over the country. These tax

reforms varied from place to place, based on the type of crop grown, significant non-Han

population, migrant and many other aspects. Unlike other dynasties, the Ming Dynasty, the local

society consists of educated men and ordinary villages. To support temple ceremonies, religious

associations were formed. To promote collaboration among descendent of a common ancestor,

lineages were formed. These lineages were more common in south China as compared to North

China. During the Mind dynasty, these lineages were deliberately educated to enhance their own

position in the time of intense competition for social status. 12 Since, that time China is on the

path of progress and prosperity, people of China work hard for betterment of their country.

Political parties like republican, communist and democratic have replaced the imperial period of

China’s history.

Conclusion

War either in Japan or China, have affected them badly. Their economic, political and

social lives are greatly influenced by internal and external conflicts. The history reveals that no

progress or development is observed in the time period when wars were going. On the other

hand, during the era of peace and prosperity in both countries, the economic growth increases,

political stability was observed and most important people feel safe in their own countries. The

history of war and warfare reflects that human life is of no importance in front of fame, wealth,

and power. Those who have power will not be alive forever. Therefore, developing peace and

prosperity, educating and improving the lives of their respective citizens, China and Japan should

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focus on the development of their country. Any new conquest can take them back to the medieval

ages of rivalry, hatred, and bloodshed.

References

De Bary, Wm. Theodore, Carol Gluck, and Arthur E Tiedemann. Sources Of Japanese Tradition.

New York: Columbia University Press, 2005.

Ebrey, Patricia Buckley, and Anne Walthall. Pre-Modern East Asia, To 1800. 3rd ed. Boston,

MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2014.