Tsuioko Hen Historical Info.

Ieyasu controlled the country completely. He buttressed his power by distributing the land among the daimyo, making sure to give the most strategically Important parcels to those who had supported him at Sekigahara. He kept the daimyo in line by requiring them to spend every other year in Edo, which sapped their and allowed Ieyasu to manage their power at home. Although he promoted foreign trade with the English and the Dutch, he persecuted Christians mercilessly and fought hard to limit the influence of that religion in the land.

In 1615, Ieyasu defeated the Toyotomi clan and captured Osaka Castle, effectively eliminating all of his rivals. A time of peace commenced, which allowed samurai to pursue education in literature, philosophy, and the arts.

In 1633, Ieyasu’s successor Iemitsu began a policy of isolation and forbade foreign travel and limited outside contact to a few trade treaties with China and the Netherlands through the port of Magasaki. Domestic trade and agricultural production flourished, as did popular culture. Kabuki and ukiyo-e became very popular art forms among the Japanese. Neo-Confucianism, with its focus on morals, education, and the hierarchical order of society, became the dominant philosophy. This lead to the reestablishment of a strict four part class system which divided society into these groups:

-The samurai
-The peasants
-The artisans
-The merchants

Those whose professions were considered impure made up a fifth class of outcasts. No member of one stratum could move to another. In 1720, the ban on Western Literature of lifted and many new Chinese Philosophies and the method of “Dutch learning” infiltrated the Japanese culture. Nationalist schools that combined the teaching of Shinto and Confucianism rose.

Although the government was stable, cracks began to form in the foundation. The domestic financial situation worsened, which lead the leaders to institute higher taxes on the farmers. Riots and unrest ensued. In addition, natural disasters and famine hit the nation hard, which lead to further rioting and the downward spiral of the daimyo’s power. The strain began to show on the cast system as the merchants began to amass great wealth, causing some samurai to grow dependent on the mercies of the lowest class. This upending of society lead to further deterioration of ethics and competence in the government.

The Shogunate was successful in resisting the pressures of the Russians to open free trade throughout the 18th century. They were less successful in the 19th century when pressure began to mount from the Europeans and the Americans. In 1953 and 1854, Commodore Matthew Perry sailed his “black ships” into Tokyo bay and forced the government to open more ports for international trade. Though the American naval commander was able to accomplish this goal, trade remained limited throughout Japan.

Antigovernment feelings grew. Some felt that the economic burden borne by the rural classes was unjust. Other including the ultra-conservative Choshu and Satsuma clans, desired to return Japan to rule by Emperor. A great number of people revolted against the acquiescence to Western power, while others desired access to the scientific breakthroughs being discovered in Europe and America that were prohibited by the remaining trade barriers. Many pragmatically saw Western influence as a foreign conclusion, particularly after encountering Western warships on the high seas.

Chaos ensued as ronin attacked Western dignitaries and the conservative clans rallied for favorable positions. In the end, the Choshu and Satsuma clans formed an alliance behind the existing emperor and fought the shogunate. On January 3, 1868, the rebel forces seized the imperial court and brought the emperor to power. The Tokugawa era was over and the Meiji Restoration begun.