Q.1 What was the primary role of a samurai in feudal Japan?
Farmer
Merchant
Warrior
Artist
Explanation - Samurai were the military nobility and officer caste in feudal Japan, primarily serving as warriors for their lords.
Correct answer is: Warrior
Q.2 Which code of conduct governed the behavior of samurai?
Bushido
Shinto
Confucianism
Zen
Explanation - Bushido, meaning 'the way of the warrior', was the ethical code that emphasized loyalty, honor, and discipline among samurai.
Correct answer is: Bushido
Q.3 Who was at the top of the feudal hierarchy in Japan?
Shogun
Emperor
Daimyo
Samurai
Explanation - The Emperor was the ceremonial and spiritual leader of Japan, though real political power often rested with the Shogun.
Correct answer is: Emperor
Q.4 What title was given to the military leader who ruled Japan in the Emperor's name?
Shogun
Samurai
Daimyo
Ronin
Explanation - The Shogun was the de facto ruler of Japan, controlling the military and political affairs while the Emperor remained a figurehead.
Correct answer is: Shogun
Q.5 What were 'Daimyo' in feudal Japan?
Peasants
Military commanders and landowners
Merchants
Priests
Explanation - Daimyo were powerful landholding lords who commanded samurai armies and controlled regions of Japan.
Correct answer is: Military commanders and landowners
Q.6 Which weapon is most famously associated with samurai?
Katana
Naginata
Yumi
Tanto
Explanation - The katana, a curved single-edged sword, was the signature weapon of the samurai.
Correct answer is: Katana
Q.7 What is a 'Ronin'?
A masterless samurai
A type of sword
A village leader
A peasant
Explanation - Ronin were samurai who had lost their master due to death or disgrace and often became wandering warriors.
Correct answer is: A masterless samurai
Q.8 Which period is considered the beginning of the samurai-dominated feudal era in Japan?
Heian Period
Kamakura Period
Muromachi Period
Edo Period
Explanation - The Kamakura Period (1185–1333) saw the rise of the shogunate and samurai as the dominant military class.
Correct answer is: Kamakura Period
Q.9 What was the primary duty of peasants under the feudal system in Japan?
Fight in wars
Pay taxes and farm the land
Serve in the court
Practice arts
Explanation - Peasants were responsible for cultivating land and providing rice and other taxes to support the feudal lords and samurai.
Correct answer is: Pay taxes and farm the land
Q.10 Which philosophy influenced samurai ethics and discipline?
Buddhism
Confucianism
Shinto
All of the above
Explanation - Samurai ethics were shaped by Buddhism (spirituality), Confucianism (loyalty and hierarchy), and Shinto (loyalty to the Emperor).
Correct answer is: All of the above
Q.11 What type of government did the Shogun establish in Japan?
Military dictatorship
Democracy
Monarchy
Oligarchy
Explanation - The Shogunate was a military government where the Shogun held real political power, while the Emperor was largely ceremonial.
Correct answer is: Military dictatorship
Q.12 Which period is known for the peaceful Edo era where samurai became bureaucrats rather than warriors?
Heian Period
Kamakura Period
Muromachi Period
Edo Period
Explanation - During the Edo Period (1603–1868), Japan experienced peace, and many samurai served administrative roles instead of fighting.
Correct answer is: Edo Period
Q.13 What is 'Seppuku'?
A tea ceremony
A form of ritual suicide
A type of armor
A rank of samurai
Explanation - Seppuku was a ritual suicide performed by samurai to restore honor after disgrace or failure.
Correct answer is: A form of ritual suicide
Q.14 Which form of Japanese theater often depicted samurai stories?
Kabuki
Noh
Bunraku
All of the above
Explanation - Kabuki, Noh, and Bunraku all portrayed samurai stories, heroism, and feudal conflicts.
Correct answer is: All of the above
Q.15 What is the main difference between a samurai and a ninja?
Samurai were warriors of noble class; ninja were covert agents
Samurai were farmers; ninja were merchants
Samurai used firearms; ninja used bows
Samurai were monks; ninja were priests
Explanation - Samurai served lords with honor and combat skills, while ninjas specialized in espionage, sabotage, and covert operations.
Correct answer is: Samurai were warriors of noble class; ninja were covert agents
Q.16 Which region of Japan was initially ruled by powerful samurai clans?
Kyoto
Kamakura
Edo
Hokkaido
Explanation - Kamakura became the political center of the first shogunate, ruled by samurai clans like the Minamoto.
Correct answer is: Kamakura
Q.17 What kind of training did samurai undergo?
Martial arts, archery, horseback riding, and strategy
Calligraphy and painting only
Farming and trade
Religious rituals only
Explanation - Samurai were trained in combat skills, strategy, and leadership to serve their lords effectively.
Correct answer is: Martial arts, archery, horseback riding, and strategy
Q.18 Which religion or belief system was closely tied to samurai rituals and daily life?
Shinto
Buddhism
Confucianism
All of the above
Explanation - Samurai incorporated Shinto, Buddhism, and Confucian practices into their ethics, rituals, and social behavior.
Correct answer is: All of the above
Q.19 What was the primary economic resource of feudal Japan?
Rice
Gold
Silk
Silver
Explanation - Rice was the main measure of wealth and taxation in feudal Japan, supporting the samurai and daimyo.
Correct answer is: Rice
Q.20 Which armor was commonly worn by samurai in battle?
O-yoroi
Katana
Yumi
Tanto
Explanation - O-yoroi was the traditional armor worn by samurai, made of iron, leather, and silk, providing protection in combat.
Correct answer is: O-yoroi
Q.21 What was the role of women in samurai families?
Warriors and defenders of the home
Only domestic work
Merchants
Priests
Explanation - Women of samurai families were trained to defend their homes in the absence of men and to uphold family honor.
Correct answer is: Warriors and defenders of the home
Q.22 Which Shogunate moved the capital to Edo (Tokyo)?
Tokugawa Shogunate
Kamakura Shogunate
Ashikaga Shogunate
Minamoto Shogunate
Explanation - The Tokugawa Shogunate (1603–1868) established Edo as the political capital and initiated a long period of peace.
Correct answer is: Tokugawa Shogunate
Q.23 What is 'Yabusame'?
A horseback archery practice by samurai
A tea ceremony
A type of sword
A castle design
Explanation - Yabusame is a traditional form of mounted archery practiced by samurai to hone martial skills and discipline.
Correct answer is: A horseback archery practice by samurai
Q.24 Why did the samurai class decline during the Edo period?
Peace reduced the need for warriors
Economic decline
Foreign invasions
Religious reforms
Explanation - With the long peace of the Edo period, samurai became bureaucrats or administrators, and their traditional warrior role diminished.
Correct answer is: Peace reduced the need for warriors