Tokugawa shoguns
Although Ieyasu was officially the shogun for only two years he helped his son rule Japan and called the shots until his death. The Tokugawa clan kept Japan in a peaceful but heavily controlled state. All sectors of society were confined to their traditional roles much more strictly than in the past. They enforced the four-ties-class structure very strictly, right down to which class could use silk for their clothing and tortoiseshell for their hair clips. After the war of the century the Tokugawa peace was in much need. However for the Samurai warriors, the change for Sengoku meant that they were forced to work as bureaucrats in the Tokugawa administration.
Other sector that found the transition difficult was the Japanese Christians. These people had been converted by Portuguese traders and missionaries in the previous years. The shoguns did not allow these people to practice their religion; this was first banned in 1614 by Tokugawa Hidetada. They were required to register at their local Buddhist temple and if they refused than they would have been considered disloyal. Even though the heavy-handed tactics during this time maintained peace and prosperity in Japan, the ‘floating world’ and geisha rosed to prominence amongst the samurai and wealthy merchants. It was under the Tokugawa shoguns that Japan closed society began to unravel. After Tokugawa Ieyoshi died and his son Tokugawa Iesada took the role of the shogun, they were pressured by the Americans to open up their ports to American ships. The influx of foreign people and money brought the ‘floating world’ to an end as it was known.
By 1867, the office of shogun was abolished and the power to rule Japan, moving forward, rested with the Emperor. The 250 years of Tokugawa shogun rule help Japan launched itself into the modern world.
Other sector that found the transition difficult was the Japanese Christians. These people had been converted by Portuguese traders and missionaries in the previous years. The shoguns did not allow these people to practice their religion; this was first banned in 1614 by Tokugawa Hidetada. They were required to register at their local Buddhist temple and if they refused than they would have been considered disloyal. Even though the heavy-handed tactics during this time maintained peace and prosperity in Japan, the ‘floating world’ and geisha rosed to prominence amongst the samurai and wealthy merchants. It was under the Tokugawa shoguns that Japan closed society began to unravel. After Tokugawa Ieyoshi died and his son Tokugawa Iesada took the role of the shogun, they were pressured by the Americans to open up their ports to American ships. The influx of foreign people and money brought the ‘floating world’ to an end as it was known.
By 1867, the office of shogun was abolished and the power to rule Japan, moving forward, rested with the Emperor. The 250 years of Tokugawa shogun rule help Japan launched itself into the modern world.