Eleanor Finch
The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the Edo period, lasted from 1603 until 1867 and was a time of rapid economic growth and urbanization, and strict class hierarchy in Japan. During this time, Japan did not have a written constitution, though a Chinese-inspired legal system called ritsuryō was enacted in the 6th century and remained in force until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. The Meiji Restoration, a political revolution, brought about the adoption of a constitution and a parliamentary system, instituting major political, economic, and social changes in Japan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time Period | 1603-1867 |
| Government | Military |
| System | Bakuhan |
| Ruler | Shogun |
| Shogun | Tokugawa Ieyasu |
| Number of Daimyos | 270 |
| Economic Growth | Rapid |
| Civil Administration | Prioritized |
| Civil Society | Trade and industrial activities |
| Material Prosperity | Genroku period (1688-1704) |
| Blossoming of the Arts | Ukiyo-e by Moronobu |
| Reign | Tokugawa Yoshimune (1716-1745) |
| Class Hierarchy | Strict |
| Constitution | None written |
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What You'll Learn
The Tokugawa shogunate
Tokugawa Ieyasu established a government in Edo (now Tokyo), where Japan's central government remains. Tokugawa achieved hegemony over the entire country by balancing the power of potentially hostile domains (tozama) with strategically placed allies (fudai) and collateral houses (shimpan). He also retained the daimyo (lords) and the han (domains) as components under his new shogunate.
Society in the Tokugawa shogunate was based on a strict class hierarchy, with the daimyo at the top, followed by the warrior-caste of samurai, and then farmers, artisans, and traders. Mobility between classes was forbidden. The samurai warrior class became a bureaucratic order during this time of lessened conflict.
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The Meiji Constitution
Japan did not have a written constitution during the Tokugawa period. The Meiji Constitution, enacted on 11 February 1889, was the first formal constitution of the Empire of Japan. It remained in force from 29 November 1890 until 2 May 1947.
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The Meiji Restoration
In the context of increasing encroachment of foreign powers in the region, the Meiji Restoration was a coup d'état that took place in the ancient imperial capital of Kyōto on 3 January 1868. The perpetrators announced the ouster of Tokugawa Yoshinobu (the last shogun), proclaiming the young Meiji emperor to be the ruler of Japan. Yoshinobu mounted a brief civil war that ended with his surrender to imperial forces in June 1869.
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The end of the Edo period
The Edo period, also known as the Tokugawa period, lasted from 1603 to 1867. It was the final period of traditional Japan and was marked by internal peace, political stability, economic growth, and a thriving culture. However, towards the end of this period, several factors contributed to its decline and eventual end in 1868.
One significant factor was the forcing of the end of Japan's sakoku years, a policy of national seclusion, by Commodore Matthew C. Perry in 1853. This event, known as the opening of Japan to Western trade, initiated the Bakumatsu era, which translates to "end of the bakufu" (shogunate). The shogunate's involvement with modernisation and foreign powers made it a target of anti-Western sentiment among the Japanese masses.
Another factor was the mismanagement of the central government by the shogun, which led to the breakdown of the rigid class divisions. The anti-bakufu movement gained momentum, and the social classes that had been frozen in place for much of the Edo period began to fall apart. The religious celebrations and communal activities of the Ee ja nai ka movement, which spread across Japan, also served as a form of social and political protest during this tumultuous time.
The Meiji Restoration, which began in 1868, marked the end of the Edo period and brought about significant changes to Japan's political and social structure. The Meiji Constitution, proclaimed in 1889, established a mixed constitutional and absolute monarchy based on German and British models. This new constitution replaced the previous lack of a written constitution, filling the void left by the Chinese-inspired ritsuryō system that had become an empty formality by the middle of the Heian period (10th and 11th centuries).
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The rise of the merchant class
Before the Meiji Constitution was adopted, Japan had no formal written constitution. Instead, a Chinese-inspired legal system and constitution called ritsuryō were implemented in the 6th century during the Asuka and Nara periods. This system described a government based on a rational meritocratic bureaucracy, with the emperor as the ultimate authority.
During the Tokugawa period, the merchant class rose to prominence. A book titled "The Rise of the Merchant Class in Tokugawa Japan, 1600-1868" by Charles David Sheldon, published in 1958, provides an in-depth analysis of this phenomenon.
During this time, Japan enjoyed relative peace and stability under the shogunate, which created a conducive environment for economic growth. The country's population grew, and people began to move from rural areas to cities in search of new economic opportunities. This urbanization led to the development of bustling commercial centres, with specialized markets and diverse trade networks.
The merchants in Tokugawa Japan were adept at organizing themselves into guilds or associations, known as "tonya." These organizations protected their interests, provided mutual support, and facilitated the exchange of goods and services. The tonya system allowed merchants to gain economic power and influence, challenging the traditional dominance of the samurai and feudal lords.
The merchants' growing wealth and influence led to significant social changes. They invested their profits in land, art, and culture, and their patronage contributed to the flourishing of Japanese arts during this period. The merchants also developed a distinct culture of their own, with unique customs and practices that set them apart from the traditional aristocratic classes.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Japan did not have a written constitution during the Tokugawa period. The Meiji Constitution, Japan's first written constitution, was adopted in 1889, after the Tokugawa shogunate ended in 1868.
The Tokugawa shogunate was a military government that ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867. This period saw rapid economic growth, urbanization, and the rise of the merchant class and Ukiyo culture.
After the Tokugawa shogunate ended, Japan entered the Meiji period, a time of major political, economic, and social change. The Meiji Constitution was adopted in 1889, and Japan also adopted a parliamentary system, instituted universal education, built railroads, and established a strong military.
