Question

rise of the warrior class 1130 - 1185
the imperial government loses control over the upper class
up until about 1130s, japans economy was in a
period of growth. but as the upper - class landowners
began to withdraw from society and live in
their own walled - cities called heian, they left the
peasants to struggle through their hard labor
without any support. this division created unrest and put the
emperor at the mercy of his people. soon, peasants
and turf wars were breaking out between landowners in order to survive.

in 1156, a civil war broke out between rival groups. the
rivalry of the upper classes left japanese government without
the funds or power to raise an army or police their people. clan
leaders vied for influence in the government and landowners,
called daimyo, decided to take things into their own hands by
hiring protection in the form of professional warriors called
samurai.

in 1185, minamoto yoritomo and his military family took
advantage of the civil war and seized the government of japan.
he dubbed himself the shogun, or commander - in - chief, and set
up a new military - influenced government in kamakura. despite
his total control, he allowed the emperor and his imperial court
to remain at heian and be a figurehead (in charge but with
limited or no authority) for japan.

minamoto yoritomo, the first shogun.

questions to consider!

1. list three (3) ways the classes of japan were further divided that allowed government takeover.
2. what is the meaning of the word \figurehead\ in the last sentence above?

Explanation:

1. The text describes the rise of the warrior - class in Japan and the power dynamics between different classes. To answer the first question, we need to analyze the social structure details in the text. For the second question, we can infer the meaning of "figurehead" from the description of the emperor's role with limited or no authority.
2. "Figurehead" means a person who appears to be in charge but has little or no real power, as indicated by the description of the emperor's situation in the text.

Answer:

1. Answers may vary based on text analysis, for example: Peasants were divided from landowners; Samurai were a distinct professional warrior class; Clan leaders vied for power separate from the imperial court.
2. A person in charge but with limited or no authority.