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Two notable aspects of medieval Japan are the ascendancy of the warrior class (bushi, samurai) and the proliferation of new sects of Buddhism throughout all classes. While the aristocracy of "Genji's World" still existed and the imperial court in Kyoto (Heian) was still sovereign in name, the civil wars of the twelfth century brought to power a warrior government, the bakufu, that ruled in practice. First established in Kamakura in 1192 by the victorious Minamoto Yoritomo and later moved to the Muromachi distict of Kyoto in 1334 by Ashikaga Takauji, the bakufu supported certain Buddhist temples while individual priests, monks, and evangelists spread among the masses new, popularized forms of Buddhism that had been brought from China during the late Heian period. |
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| Jôdo (Pure Land) Buddhism, introduced to Japan in the 1170s by Hônen, was the principal new faith, along with its variant Jôdo Shin Shû (True Pure Land Sect) that was introduced later by Shinran. The Pure Land sects stressed faith in the tariki (other power) of Amida (Amitabha), the Buddha of Infinite Light. The sincere practice of the nembutsu--calling upon Amida's name--would reward the faithful with rebirth into his Western Paradise of the Pure Land. Evangelists warned the unfaithful of the horrors of being reborn into lower realms of existence--even hell. Verbal and visual representations of Buddhist hells were popular tools of persuasion. Although some warriors were attracted to Pure Land Buddhism, their generally self-reliant spirit didn't mix well with dependence on the saving grace of Amida. Instead, many turned to the self-discipline of Zen Buddhism, which also flourished in medieval Japan, inspiring much art. |
Through word and image, this Engaging Vision focuses on getting a sense of Amida Buddhism and the worldview view it preached during the height of warrior rule in medieval Japan. To begin, click on the dancing monks: 
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