Japan Was A Period Of Dramatic Change From The Tokugawa Shogunate

From the 1500s to the 1850s, Japan experienced a period of dramatic change in several aspects. Politically, the Tokugawa Shogunate was founded and there was some centralization of power, although Japan stayed feudal through most of this time. As feudalism was still dominating, the main economic activity was agriculture. There was some trade with the Europeans for new technology such as firearms but eventually, Japan isolated itself until the mid-1800s. Japan had some conversion to Christianity but as it became isolated, it was not a widespread religion. Being isolated through most of this period meant little cultural change happened and, technologically, Japan started to fall behind the West. In the Early Modern Period, there were major themes

There were three main daimyo, or rulers, who brought this shogunate to power. The first of these three daimyo was Oda Nobunaga who won a decisive battle at Nagashino in 1752 destroying the Takeda clan. Nobunaga was interested in Western technology and implemented new fighting techniques and firearms. Next was Toyotomi Hideyoshi who took over after Nobunaga’s death. Hideyoshi continued to unify Japan and was a patron of the arts. The last of these daimyos was Tokugawa Ieyasu who, in 1603, started the Tokugawa shogunate. During the time of his rule, Ieyasu was successful and became very wealthy because he was monopolizing the mining trade. In an article titled “The Three Unifiers of Sengoku Era Japan”, it states “During the first decade of the seventeenth century it is estimated that up to one-third of the world’s silver came out of Japan, and much of it was sold to China, making Ieyasu extremely wealthy”(Woods). Ieyasu eliminated the Toyotomi family in battle and took control of their land. During all of the unification of Japan, feudalism was a big continuity remaining the political system for many years to come. Feudalism remained mostly because of the inheritance of titles, tight structure and relationships between lords and vassals, and the importance of agriculture due to a lack of

As Japan was still feudal, there was not much trade going on between areas. This being said, there was some trade with Europe for new technology and military equipment. As previously mentioned, the mining industry became successful during Ieyasu with most profits coming from China. This trade continued until the Sakoku Edict which prohibited trade and leaving the country. In the Sakoku Edict edict published June 1636, it states “No Japanese ships may leave for foreign countries.” Later in the document, it includes that any foreigner who returns to the country shall be “put to death” showing the severity and seriousness of the document. Although serious, there were some minor exceptions to this edict such as a small trading port at which the Dutch could trade under very strict conditions. This isolation meant feudalism and agriculture were staying at the forefront of Japanese economic