Japanese History: Edo Period Key Terms

Key Terms and Definitions

• Shogun: The military ruler of Japan during the Edo period, holding significant power.
• Ronin: Samurai warriors who have lost their masters, often seen as masterless and without honor.
• Daimyo: Powerful landowners in Japan, comparable to nobles, wielding considerable autonomous power.
• Hereditary: Power or status passed down through family lineage.
• Seppuku: A ritual form of suicide in Japan, undertaken as an honorable response to failure or humiliation.
• Outcasts: Individuals in Japanese society who were marginalized due to their occupations or social status.
• Ethical Codes: Sets of guidelines governing what is considered right and wrong behavior in society.

Historical Context

• Prior to the Edo period, Japan experienced centuries of warfare among powerful Daimyo.
• Tokugawa Ieyasu was appointed shogun by the emperor, although the shogun technically held the power.

Political Structure and Control

• Seating Plan: Tokugawa strategically placed loyal individuals next to those of questionable loyalty to preempt rebellion.
• Alternate Attendance: A system whereby daimyos were required to reside in Edo every other year, preventing them from amassing power while their families remained as hostages.
• Bakuhan system: Divided governance between the national affairs controlled by the shogunate and local matters overseen by the daimyos.

Social Class Hierarchy

• Strict class structure with defined roles for each level, including Emperor, Shogun, Daimyo, Samurai, Ronin, Peasants, Artisans, Merchants, and Women/Outcasts.
• Social Control: Mechanisms of influence shaping behavior through societal customs and expectations.

Cultural and Social Issues

• Confucianism: A philosophical system that reinforced the acceptance of class distinctions and the importance of hierarchical relationships.
• Filial Piety: Emphasized duty and respect within familial and social roles, central to education in samurai schools and commoner institutions.
• Fads and Fashion: Each class had specific dress codes that reinforced social hierarchy.

Military and Technological Changes

• Emergence of new weaponry, such as muskets, that exceeded the effectiveness of traditional samurai swords.
• The provision of weapons to peasants altered traditional military dynamics.

Religion and Ideology

• Introduction of Christianity by Jesuit missionaries, aiming to convert the elite classes, particularly the daimyo and samurai.
• Christian beliefs created tension with traditional power structures, as they challenged the authority of the upper classes.

Summary of Key Concepts

• The shogun's enforcement of laws restricted peasants from owning weapons, maintaining a monopoly on power.
• Class mobility was minimal, with rigid structures ensuring individuals remained within their designated social strata.
• Cultural shifts led to a more open society with increased trade and reduced isolation, fostering new ideas and influences.

Test your knowledge of the key terms and definitions related to the Edo period in Japan. This quiz covers important concepts such as Shogun, Ronin, and Daimyo, and explores their significance in the historical context of Japan's feudal system. Perfect for a deeper understanding of Japan's political structure and culture.