How Did the Laws of Tokugawa Japan Prevent Dutch Traders from Influencing Japanese Culture?
In the Tokugawa Period, the Dutch’s contributions to Japan served as the door to knowledge on science, medicine, armaments, and products connecting the relationships between Europe and Japan. However, (can’t start a sentence with however) their kindnesses and contributions to Japan were very gentle comparing to what(how) the Japanese have treated and served to them. The Dutch first were permitted to trade, then had to be confined to the small island called Deshima. Although the Dutch were one of the few foreign countries interacting with Japan, Japanese(they) were only aiming for the Dutch’s knowledge and skills to develop their civilization with the strict laws regulated to stop them from influencing their culture. (Thesis statement right?)
…show more content…
Although the Dutch were the only Westerners allowed to stay in Japan at that time and engage in trade, their given occupation and places for work were harsh. The Japanese laws strictly limited the things they could do. According to the Tokugawa law on foreigners, “the Dutch traders’ wives and children were not allowed to stay in the island, and Japanese soldiers guarded them whenever they wanted to go outside of the island” (Blumberg, 37). Despite the harsh conditions they were provided with, the Dutch traders worked very hard, trying to help Japanese. Such strict rules in the Tokugawa period on the Dutch stopped the Dutch from influencing the Japanese culture although they have helped tremendously, helping to interact with the