#2 Explain the Clan system of early Japan
The clan system was one of the earliest forms of government that the Japanese had. "Uji", which is the Japanese word for clan consisted of families related by blood or marriage. Each clan was led by a noble who was both recognized by a family and individual name. The noble of each clan was also their religious leader and war chief. Since the Nobles were the war chief of the clan, they were in charge of directing the efforts of the people to the protect the clan from neighboring clans.
The clans practiced a religion called Shinto which was a form of nature worship as well as ancestral worship. Clan members believed that the spirits of their ancestors still lingered in their village. These spirits were supposed to protect them against harm and help them in their work. Clan members often made famous people, places, or events of great importance into deities called the "Kami".
Some Clans were stronger than others. The Yamato clan was one of them. This particular clan controlled the Yamato plains of Japan (which is now known as Nara which is south of the city of Osaka). They developed enough power around the 400s to proclaim their leader emperor.
The first emperor of Japan came from the Yamato clan. Emperors at this time period were considered human but they were treated like gods. Even though the Emperors were treated so well he was just a figure head and held no real power. The real power was held in the military and this was the position that many fought over.
