Tokugawa Shogun Feudal Japan

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With Japanese isolation under the rule of Tokugawa Shoguns, Japan was able to repel, avoid, and associate with the likes of missionaries from Europe, who the Shoguns felt would “potentially undermine the loyalty of the people and vassals to their lords and the lords to the Shogun” (Woolley p.41). Another advantage came from the physicality of the Japanese island. With no shared borders, it just made isolation that much easier. Within its borders, the rule of the Tokugawa Shoguns could be felt and the Feudal system of government that it established was allowed to showcase their superiority and strength. The only ones allowed weaponry such as swords were the shoguns themselves. This allowed them to immediately crush any uprising from converted Japanese Christians that may have tried to rebel. They were an entity to themselves and the rules that they created had to be obeyed and followed. Isolation gave immense opportunities for Japan to develop and evolve culturally. There are some historians that feel that the speedy growth and development of Japan’s economy and culture was actually due in part to the isolation thrust upon by the Tokugawa Shogun. Also, because of the isolation,…show more content…
During this time, it was well known that isolation would play a key factor in establishing Japanese territory as its own independent entity. This act of seemingly pure isolation was to show the fortitude and strength that was necessary to convey the message that no outside help or entity would be required. By choice, doused in isolation, the Tokugawa Shogun had the thoughts, feeling, and ideas that “Western influences were politically destabilizing.” (Woolley p.41) So, the surrounding borderlands of Japan were sealed up and there was no entry or passage. Some foreign trade route was permitted but only certain foreigners, such as the Chinese and the Dutch were

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