3.3 Japan’s Isolation

Shogun’s take power Civil war in Japan removes a central power and distributes it to shoguns or military leaders Daimyo rule under the guide of the shogun Daimyo = local warlords offer protection for loyalty of citizens Oda Nobunaga a strong daimyo who tries to unify Japan Commits seppuku when betrayed by one of his generals

Tokugawa Shogunate Tokugawa Ieyasu a strong daimyo Tokugawa unifies Japan – all daimyo follow him – becomes Shogun after unification Moves capital to Edo (present day Tokyo) To keep power Tokugawa requires local leaders & families to spend each other year in the capital When returning home, families required to remain in Edo What is the impact of this? Tokugawa uses families as hostages to control leaders

Tokugawa Shogunate Society thrives under Tokugawa rule Emperors are only figureheads Shogun are true rulers Due to high taxes, many farmers move to cities Culture thrives in Japan Haiku poems popular Kabuki theater thrives

Cultural Blending Japan initially welcomes foreigners Portugal becomes major trade partner European weapons become popular with daimyo Cannon and guns help daimyo in battle Leads to building of castles Castles attract merchants, artists, etc. which lead to city growth

Cultural Blending Christian missionaries come to Japan Initially welcomed by Japanese because associated with weapons (both are foreign) Many Japanese convert to Christianity This upsets Tokugawa Bans Christianity in Japan Riot leads to Christian persecution & elmination Because many of the rioters were Christian it was assumed that Christianity was the reason for the riot

Japanese Isolation Persecution of Christians was to control foreign ideas European values clashed with Japanese values Japan closes its borders to foreign traders Only one port open to foreign trade Only Dutch and Chinese allowed to trade with Japan Japanese citizens forbidden to leave country