Rise of the Shogun: Feudal Japan, 794-1868

Japan
Feudalism and Tokugawa
Rise of Feudalism

Land became
consolidated into
Shoens - controlled by
a few powerful
families
Rise of Feudalism




Decentralization of
government - emperor
becomes figurehead
Military leaders
(Shoguns) hold real
power
Samurai emerged
Bushido code
Rise of Feudalism



Power shifted into the
hands of those in
charge of the shoens—
the daimyo
Daimyo fight for
dominance.
independence
Control local justice,
taxes
FRANCE
H.R. EMPIRE
Economic Development




Tax burden on the
peasants
Trade
Economic
advancements
Merchants considered
lowest class
Europeans Reach Japan


Portuguese
traders arrived
in 1543
As the
Portuguese
began to trade
regularly, Jesuit
priests also
arrived to spread
Christianity in
1549
Tokugawa Ieyasu



Daimyo of Edo;
proclaimed shogun
in 1603
Installed his son as
shogun in order to
strengthen
Tokugawa control
and eliminate
problems of
succession
Political unity
The Tokugawa Shogunate





1603–1869
Relied on the feudal
system
Appointed daimyo
leaders to help
administer
governmental duties
Emphasized
maintaining order and
control
Maintained both a
public and secret police
Social Class During the
Tokugawa Shogunate
Warrioradministrators
Merchants
Peasants
Craftsmen
The Samurai During the
Tokugawa Shogunate



Samurai began to
follow the bushido
code
In charge of Japan’s
military
Gradually shifted to
governmental and
administrative roles
Christianity and the Tokugawa




Catholic missionaries
attempted to convert
the elites, but had
little success
More success in the
countryside
Shimabara Rebellion
Persecution of
Japanese Christians,
expulsion of
missionaries
The Closing of Japan





Shimabara Rebellion
heightened fear of foreign
influences
Tokugawa ―closed‖ Japan
beginning in 1649
Allowed limited contact
with the Dutch, Chinese,
Koreans
Trade significantly limited
and controlled
Some daimyos ignored the
closing
Decline of the Samurai



Less need for
warriors
The samurai
slowly lost
power, status
The warrior
ethic seemed
to lose its
relevance