1. Effect of Isolation on Edo Japan
Positive & Negative Impact of Isolation

2. Changes within Isolation
Positive Side of Isolation

3. Ideal Society The Ideal Japanese Society embodied:
Peace, safety, & security
Harmony, Respect, & belonging
Leisure time & opportunity for personal expression
This required strict rules; including very little personal freedom & harsh punishments for rule breakers

4. A Booming Economy Long periods of peace & stability = more wealth
Edo Japan’s economy boomed as a result of:
Farmers increased production
Daimyo funded road improvements & increased trade
Population increase in cities
Silver & gold coins were introduced as currency

5. Peace & prosperity also leads to flourishing arts.
Golden Age of Arts
Peace & prosperity also leads to flourishing arts.
Kabuki & Noh Theatre
Tea Ceremony
Sumo Wrestling
Haiku Poetry
Bunraku Puppet Theatre
Woodblock Print
Kendo Martial Arts

6. Cracks in the Foundation
Negative Side of Isolation

7. Class System Upheaval
Toward the end of the Edo period the Feudal class structure was beginning to fall apart:
Merchants were gaining wealth & power
Peasants experienced poverty due to high taxes
Daimyo were nearing bankruptcy due to the cost of road construction & alternate attendance
Samurai had no real work (some took other jobs)

8. Natural Disasters & Hard Times
In the late 1700s early 1800s Japan was struck by many natural disasters
This brought about famine & took many lives
Farmers fled to cities, so rice became scarce
1/3rd of the population died from starvation
Shogun failed to address these
problems

9. Threats from the Outside World
By early 1800s several nations were knocking on Japan’s door looking to trade.
Shogun passed the “No Second Thought on Expulsion Order
Whenever a ship approached all persons should fire on it
If foreigners force their way on shore, they are to be immediately arrested.
This did not stop the USA who were determined to force their way into Japan
But why?

10. Threats from the Outside World
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