Tokugawa Japan: Key Terms

Vocabulary Terms

• Edo Period: A period in Japanese history between 1600 and 1853, also known as the Tokugawa Period
• Kami: Sacred beings worshipped in Shinto, conceived as spirits abiding in natural phenomena
• Kamikaze: A ferocious storm that destroyed most of the Mongol fleet in 1274 and was considered a "Divine Wind" sent by gods to defend Japan
• Isolated: When a person or group is set apart or cut off from others geologically, ecologically, or socially
• Isolation/Exclusion Laws: Laws passed by the Shogun that cut Japan off from outside contact
• Archipelago: A long chain of many islands
• Ainu: Japan’s Indigenous people
• Kamuy: The gods of nature in Ainu culture
• Matsuri: Festivals held every spring or fall to please the kami
• Tsunami: Strong, destructive waves initiated by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions on the ocean floor
• Stoic: Someone who can control their emotions and endure difficulties with patience
• Arable: Land suitable for farming and agriculture
• Monsoon: Strong winds in Asia blowing from the southwest in summer
• Homogenous: A group of people similar in nature or character
• Assimilation: Forcing a group to acquire characteristics of a majority group
• Shogun: Japanese military ruler in Edo, Japan
• Ronin: Samurai warriors without a master
• Daimyo: Powerful Japanese landowners or nobles
• Shogunate: A strong council of advisors, officials, and administrators
• Seppuku: Ritual suicide, performed as an honorable alternative to humiliation or public shame
• Confucianism: The teachings of the Chinese scholar Confucius focusing on the idea that all have a rightful place in society and a responsibility to others
• Ethical Codes: Rules about right and wrong behavior
• Dutch Scholars: Japanese academics who learned Dutch and educated themselves in Western ways
• Meiji: Meaning "enlightened rule" in Japanese
• Oligarchy: An unelected group of powerful leaders

Isolation of Japan

• Japan's island geography made it difficult to reach, separating it from its neighbors like Korea, China, and Russia
• Rough seas between Japan and Asia limited contact with other nations and prevented healthy relationships from forming

Adopted Culture

• Elements from another culture are adopted and adapted to better suit their society
• The Japanese borrowed the Chinese alphabet system and modified it to form their own language, Kana

Religious Practices & Nature

• Celebrations and rituals marked the change of seasons
• Blossom festivals celebrated new beginnings, beauty, and the shortness of life
• Ainu culture considered things like fire, water, wind, thunder, animals, and plants as gods
• Shinto is based on harmony with nature, with sacred spirits (kami) taking the form of objects in nature
• The sun goddess was the most important kami
• Natural disasters led the people to become stoic and resourceful

Impact of Climate

• A temperate climate and dependable rain allowed for a longer growing season
• Monsoon rains enabled rice cultivation, preventing famine

Rice as a Symbol

• Rice was the main food and served as the money system
• A person's worth and land value were determined by rice production
• A lord's rank and wealth were tied to the total rice production of their territory

Homogenous Society

• The sea surrounding Japan isolated it, leading to a homogenous society
• Most of the population lived on the coast, using water for communication and trade of ideas, beliefs, and values

Assimilation of the Ainu

• The Japanese sought the land of the Ainu and transformed them into Japanese individuals

Government and Worldview

• Treating individuals as worthless can lead to negative views of human nature
• Governments can create separate worldviews and perspectives, influencing societal organization

Social Structure (Edo Period 1603-1868)

• A social structure existed during the Edo Period
• Emperor: A figurehead without real political power
• Shogun: Military leader who ruled Japan
• Daimyo: Noble lords
• Samurai: Paid soldiers
• Ronin: Masterless samurai
• Peasants: Farmers and fishermen, 90% of the population
• Artisans: Craftspeople
• Merchants: Salespeople

Shogunate Stability Measures

• Daimyo were required to alternate their residence annually between Edo and their domain, which cost money and time, preventing them from opposing the Shogun
• Daimyo families were held in Edo as hostages, discouraging violence
• The Bakuhan system divided government into two levels; the Shogunate controlled international affairs, while Daimyo managed local affairs
• Laws controlled Daimyo's lives and finances, such as dress and marriage

Feudal Society and Shogunate

• The feudal system allowed the Shogunate to maintain control and order
• It sustained organization and smooth operations in society

Visual Indicators

• Social classes had specific attire regulations
• Upper-class women wore twelve silk kimonos with colors that depended on the events
• Peasants were prohibited from wearing silk
• There were a total of 216 attire laws

Roles in Society

• Peasants produced food and were heavily controlled by laws
• Artisans lived in towns, with sons restricted to their fathers' trades and were considered lower than peasants
• Merchants traded goods but were monitored for disrespectful behavior
• Women were born into a social class, expected to raise proper Samurai children, and had limited rights
• Outsiders, who were in jobs involving death, lived apart and faced restrictions

Southern Barbarians

• The Japanese government considered people from the West a threat

Individual and State

• The state had more power than individuals despite society being more free than Renaissance Europe
• Strict laws and rules governed individual lives

Isolation Laws

• Pros: consistent beliefs, Shogun's power, no conflicts with other cultures, kept citizens in check, kept out diseases and foreign weapons
• Cons: No technological advancement, people were executed, people lost freedom, limited expansion and trade, boredom, lost resources

Exclusion/Isolation Laws

• Christian missionaries and foreign traders were expelled
• Japanese citizens could not travel abroad and voyaging ships were destroyed
• Japanese citizens abroad could not return and foreign objects were forbidden
• Christian books and scientific ones were banned
• These laws were created by Shogun Tokugawa to eliminate Christian influence
• Breaking the laws was punishable by death

Isolation Exemptions

• Dutch traders were exempt because they were not interested in spreading religion but were still closely supervised

Ideal Society

• The ideal Japanese society had peace, safety, security, harmony, respect, and leisure for the arts, sports, entertainment, and crafts

Economy Under Shogunate

• Successful Economy: Increased farm production, improved roads, increased populations, silver/gold currency
• Struggling economy: limited foreign trade, overtaxed peasants, rice used for transactions

Flourishing Arts

• Kabuki, Tea Ceremony, Sumo Wrestling, Haiku, Bunraku, Woodblock Print, Martial Arts

Feudal Japan Changes

• Merchants gained wealth and power
• Peasants were overtaxed
• Daimyo neared bankruptcy
• Blame shifted to Shogun and officials
• Claims that Emperor should rule
• Natural disasters and displacement occurred

External Threats

• Russia, England, and the USA requested trade and rights
• Shogunate responded with "no second thought expulsion" threatening to bring down ships

Treaty of Kanagawa

• Took place between the USA and Japan in 1854
• The USA requested trade, protection for shipwrecked Americans, and the right to buy coal
• Commodore Matthew Perry came back with more warships, so Shogun signed

Treaty Terms

• Two Japanese ports opened to U.S. ships
• An American consulate was established in Japan
• Demands for shipwrecked protection and coal were accepted

Impact on Japan

• The Shogun appeared weak
• Riots and fighting broke out
• Opposing Daimyo were punished

End of Edo Period

• The Treaty of Kanagawa marked the end of the Edo period and the start of the Meiji period
• Meiji leaders reformed government to unite the country and create a government closer to Western democracies
• The emperor's location was changed to Edo/Tokyo to symbolize a new era

Life Changes vs The Same

• Changes: Public decisions, united classes, freed from occupation restraints, surnames allowed, abolished dress codes, peasants owned land, outcasts allowed back
• The Same: Traditional family patterns remained, social classes remained, they still looked up to superiors, life stayed the same in rural areas except they paid taxes to the government instead

Industrial Revolution Impact

• The Japanese began building factories
• Government hired advisors to install machinery from the West
• Once trained, the Japanese made outside sources leave
• The Japanese began visiting Europe and the USA to learn and report back

Japanese Reaction to Westernization

• Some accepted it, others preferred tradition
• Conflict occurred between those who favored and opposed change

Changes

• "Offensive" behavior was banned
• Government sought strength
• Meiji wanted to abolish unfair treaties
• Foreign books and newspapers were available
• Dress codes changed
• Doctors practiced both Western and Japanese medicine

Traditional Values

• The Japanese wanted to slow Westernization
• "Western science, Japanese essence" was the motto
• Japan wanted religious unity like Christianity

West Respect

• Military: Strengthened to control colonies, protect territories, create an economy, protect from aggression, influence Asia

Military Steps

• Conscription law required 3 years plus 4 of reserve duty
• Several island territories were taken over

Dropping Isolationism

• They Westernized too quickly, losing culture

Japan's Success

• Success was maintained with ability to adapt, learning, prioritize education, the desire to be powerful, hard work ethic, and their willingness to the sacrifices for the greater good

Worldview Inquiries

• Geography shaped worldview by influencing cultures
• Decision-making reflects the society's worldview
• Isolation reflects the believe that their ways are better
• Worldview can affect ability to adapt to rapid change
• Location change of emperor changed views of political change
• Intercultural contact can affect identity