Tokugawa Shogunate Regime - Essay Example

Tokugawa Shogunate Regime The Tokugawa or the Edo period was an era in Japan that was characterized by feudalism between 1603 and 1868. During this period, the Japanese were under the rule of Tokugawa Shogunate whereby the country was divided into three hundred regional daimyos. This period was characterized by economic growth and prosperity, very strict social orders, an increase in both environmental protection isolationist foreign policies, popular enjoyment of arts and culture. This form of regime was organized and administered from Edo in Japan in the 1603 by a ruler named Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Tokugawa regime had established a ruling dynasty at the Tokugawa castle, which was based in Edo. Tokugawa regime came into power following a coup that toppled the administration of Oda Nobunaga at a battle known as the battle of Sekigahara at a period known as the Azuchi-Momoyama period. After this battle, Tokugawa Ieyasu who had taken over as the leader of the battle in 1600 took over the administration of Edo area and later on, this administrative power became hereditary to his family. After He later took over the administrative powers, he gained the title shogun, also known as noble military ruler since he was a descendant of the ancient Mina Moto clan. Unlike the previous regimes of the Shogunate, the society in the Tokugawa period was supposedly based on strict, hierarchy which was originally established by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Unlike other common dictatorial regimes, the Shogun administration was characterized by economic growth and prosperity. The regime had adopted various principles that saw the country prosper both economically and socially. One of the greatest factors that saw the prosperity of the Tokugawa regime was the long-standing peace period, which lasted for two hundred and fifty years. Through this long tome peace, the country was able to develop and gain political and economic prosperity. This period of long time peace, also saw the populations of the country largely increase therefore forming a big army known as the Samurais. The large group of Samurais also contributed a lot in protecting the country from future attacks by its enemies. Moreover, the Samurais also engaged in other economic activities such as farming which contributed to the growth of the country’s economy. However, the change from Sengoku meant that they were obliged to work as bureaucrats in the Tokugawa government. The Tokugawa government forced various changes in the different life style of the people of Japan. All the sectors of the society were limited to follow their traditional roles in a stricter manner than it was done in the previous regimes. This form of traditional confinement begun during the administration by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. This harsh imposition saw the regime begin an administration that formed the four-tier class structure, which imposed and enforced rules even regarding small details such as which classes of people could use deluxe silks for their clothing or tortoise shell for hair-pins. In order to enforce their laws, the ruling regime in Japan banned the practice of other religions in the country in 1614 by Tokugawa Hidetada. This move mostly targeted the Christians who were converted by Portuguese traders and missionaries in previous years. In order to make compulsory this law, the Shogunate made it compulsory for all citizens to enlist themselves with their native Buddhist temple. However, those who refused to comply with this orders were considered disloyal from the regime of the Bakufu. This move by the Shogunate saw the eradication of the Shimabara Rebellion, which was comprised mostly of Christian peasant farmers between 1637 and 1638. The Japanese Christians were later expatriated, executed, or driven underground, and Christianity ceased from existence in the country. Despite this dictatorial regime, the Tokugawa shoguns controlled the country over a long period of peace and relative prosperity in Japan. The long peaceful regime generated the construction of the Ukiyo, or floating world, between urban samurai, rich traders, and geisha. However, the floating world crashed and collapsed in 1853 following the arrival of American Commodore Matthew Perry with his black ships in Edo Bay. This was then followed by the death of Tokugawa Ieyoshi, the 60-year-old shogun. After his death, Tokugawa Iesada, the son of Tokugawa Ieyoshi, took over the ruling of Tokugawa dynasty and agreed under coercion to sign the Convention of Kanagawa the subsequent year, after American Commodore Matthew Perry returned with a larger fleet. Under the terms of the agreement, American ships were granted entry to three Japanese harbors where they could take on supplies, and aground American mariners were to be treated well ( Bodart-Bailey 8). Another policy that led to the growth and prosperity of the Tokugawa Shogunate regime was the control of foreign trade. During this regime, Tokugawa Shogunate imposed very heavy fines and penalties on those traders who tried to trade outside the Shogunate. The fines and penalties acquired were then used to build the Shogunate and pay contributions to the Samurai as wages and salaries. This seclusion law came into effect in 1635. Before then, the country of Japan traded extensively across the Pacific with many ships. However, after the laws were introduced, it became difficult for r traders to leave Japan and trade in the pacific or even to cross borders and trade with a neighboring country. This move led to loss of foreign exchange but also contributed greatly to developing the country from within. After 1635, exiting Japan was harshly penalized, and only incoming Dutch and Chinese vessels were allowable. The Dutch however, used this trade domination to their advantage in the great European countries. It was during Tokugawa Shogunate regime that Japanese modifications of many Western inventions came into being such as clocks and astronomical devices. Tokugawa Shogunate regime also contributed to the growth and culture of the people of Japan. This period also saw a time when the leisure arts and culture begun to be valued. Such culture and art comprised an innovation of woodblock prints for instance those shaped by Hokusai, a blossoming geisha culture, and many progressions in the arts and letters. It was the blossoming culture that many Neo-Confucian values and combined them into Japanese art, music, and literature to generate elegant and thoughtful works of art, literature, and theatre. The higher demand for knowledge of the outside world by the Japanese saw the need and development of education system in the country. Education was critical in the long-term growth and development of the country. This is because the country would cease to depend on the skills, traits, and values of an unskilled country's workforce (Jansen 5).  Japan also developed its social culture following long periods of drought that saw a high margin of decline of the production of their main food crop, rice. During this time, Japan embraced and developed an advanced forest management policy meant to increase food production and curb the social unrest in the country. The forest management policy also saw an increased demand for timber for the purpose of construction, shipbuilding, and fuel. However, this move led to widespread deforestation that resulted in forest fires, floods, and soil erosion. This only increased the social unrest in the country and more blame being put on the dictatorial regime of Tokugawa Shogunate. In response the shogun, set up a policy to ease logging and upturn the planting of trees. The rule authorized that only the shogun and daimyo possibly would approve the use of wood.  Lastly, the Tokugawa Shogunate regime institutionalized many sectors in the country, which led to increased growth and development of the political and social regime. Such institutions saw the Tokugawa Shogunate regime form a law making body that would set up laws followed in the country. Such institutions were also responsible for the collection of tax, fines, and penalties imposed by the regime. These institutions also paved way for the development of a centralized form of government (Social Studies School Service 3). Works Cited Bodart-Bailey, Beatrice M. The Dog Shogun: The Personality And Policies of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2006. Print. Jansen, Marius B. The Making of Modern Japan. Boston: Harvard University Press, 2002. Print. Social Studies School Service. Shogun Japan. Boston: Social Studies, 2002. Print. Read More