1. Aim: Describe Japanese Society and Culture during the Tokugawa Shogunate

2. New Feudalism Under Strong Leaders
1467: Civil war shattered Japan’s old feudal system
Violent era of disorder followed
: Known as Sengoku “Warring States”
Powerful samurai seized control of old feudal states
Warrior chieftains (Daimyo) became lords
Daimyo Means “Great Name” 2

3. 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

4. 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