Japan's first capital, Nara, was modeled directly on the Tang capital, Chang'an. Of Japan's total population of approximately 5-6 million residents, Nara had approximately 20,000. In that period (710-784 AD), the land was nationalized in the name of the emperor and distributed equally to the peasants; which in turn paid the government a tax on land and labor. Nara leaders encouraged a blend of Chinese culture and Japanese traditions. They conducted rituals and ceremonies in the imperial court, which were derived from Tang Chinese models, but featured orchestral music and majestic dances to the accompaniment of Japanese versions of Chinese instruments. Musical instruments such as the zither, flute and lute. After being hit by a wave of economic ruin, Nara has seen many of its residents abandon their fields for new territory. In response, Japan would move the capital from Nara to Heian (or Kyoto). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The samurai (or warrior class) refers to a supreme-ranking military officer of the Japanese imperial court; they came from rural lords and their military servants. They represented a small percentage of the overall population and represented the highest level of the social system. Samurai came from nobility and adhered to an idealized feudal ethic known as Bushido, which translates to “way of the warrior.” As part of the qualifications to become one, the person had to be able to provide their own horse, armor and weapon; this attracted wealthier people to the role because they could afford it. Samurai were distinguished by their uncompromising loyalty to leadership and indifference to physical hardship. The samurai are committed to completing missions; if they failed to achieve their goal or fulfill their duty, they would commit suicide. Suicide was seen as an honorable and respectable demonstration of their courage and loyalty to Bushido. Women could also become samurai, although very few actually engaged in physical combat. Samurai women were usually dedicated to protecting and managing family property. The first Kamakura shogun, Minamoto-no-Yoritomo, was commissioned by the emperor of Japan in the 12th century. A shogun acted as a military dictator who controlled the country in the name of the emperor. They were responsible for the internal and external defense of the empire and could choose the person who would succeed them in their tasks. The Kamakura shogunate was subordinate to the emperors only nominally and had real power. By the year 1333 conspiracies and civil wars led to the end of the Shogunate; they were officially replaced by a government led by the Ashikaga family based in Kyoto (1228-1568). Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay During the time of the Ashikaga Shogun, political power became quite decentralized as internal conflicts arose within the empire due to local authorities fighting to claim more land for their territory. In response, several hundred landowning territorial magnates arose; they were called daimyo (which translates to “great name”). Each daimyo had his own samurai to support his interests and well-being, his own monopoly on local power, as well as a channel of income derived from the peasants who worked his land.