Front

clan

Back

an extended family

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court

Back

a group of nobles who live near and serve or advise a ruler.

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regent

Back

a person who rules a country for someone who is unable to rule alone.

Front

daimyo

Back

large landowners of feudal Japan

Front

Prince Shotoku

Back

Japanese regent, he was one of Japan's greatest leaders. He was influential in bringing Buddhism and Chinese ideas to Japan.

Front

Lady Murasaki Shikibu

Back

Japanese noble and writer, she wrote The Tale of Genji, the world's first known novel.

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Shinto

Back

the traditional religion of Japan

Front

Zen

Back

a form of Buddhism that emphasizes meditation.

Front

samurai

Back

a trained professional soldier in feudal Japan

Front

figurehead

Back

a person who appears to rule even though real power rests with someone else.