Aim: Describe Japanese Society and Culture during the Tokugawa Shogunate
New Feudalism Under Strong Leaders 1467: Civil war shattered Japan’s old feudal system Violent era of disorder followed 1467-1568: Known as Sengoku “Warring States” Powerful samurai seized control of old feudal states Warrior chieftains (Daimyo) became lords Daimyo Means “Great Name” 2
New Leaders Restore Order Oda Nobunaga: New ambitious daimyo hoped to gain enough power to take control of country Sought to eliminate his remaining enemies Not able to unify Japan and committed Seppuka- Ritual Suicide Toyotomi Hideyoshi: Nobunaga’s general Continued Nobunaga’s mission to unite Combined force & alliances to control Japan Tokugawa Ieyasu: Hideyoshi’s strongest daimyo ally Completed unification process of Japan Daimyo’s still governed at local level Ieyasu required they spend every other year in capital 3
Life in Tokugawa Japan Ieyasu founded the Tokugawa Shogunate Hold power in Japan until 1867 Japan enjoyed 2.5 centuries of stability, prosperity, & isolation under the shoguns People who prospered were merchants & wealthy Confucius values influenced ideas about society Ideal society depended on agriculture Farmers made ideal citizens Mid-1700’s: Japan shifted from rural to urban society Rise of commercial centers increased jobs Traditional culture thrived 4