Lesson 132

Edo Period (1615-1868)

Tokugawa Ieyasu was the most influential man in the country at this time.

After Toyotomi Hideyoshi died, Ishida Mitsunari plotted to oust Ieyasu, and in 1600, he rose in arms against him.

In the famous battle of Sekigahara, Mitsunari was defeated by Ieyasu, and three years later, Ieyasu was appointed Sei-i-Taishoogun (Generalissimo) and established his Bakufu in Edo.

In two more battles, one in the 19th year of Keichoo (1614) and the other in the first year of Genna (1615), he annihilated the Toyotomi and their adherents, who made their last stand at Osaka Castle.

Efforts were then directed towards the readjustment and consolidation of the various administrative system and institutions, with the result that the Bakufu was placed on foundations as secure as could be wished for.

The social structure of the Edo Period may be defined as consisting of strata called Kuge (court nobles), buke (warriors), farmers, and choonin (townsmen).

The nobles occupied the most exalted social ranks, but had little political power and economic influence.

The warriors, on the contrary, wielded real power and great influence in political and economic affairs; and with the Bakufu as their central authority, there were altogether about two hundred and seventy daimyoo, or feudal lords, with their families, who divided the whole country among themselves as their domains or fiefs, which they governed with the assistance of their retainers or subordinates.

Subject to the rule of this military class, the townspeople engaged in trade and industry, and the farmers in agriculture.

Thus, the feudal system of Japan was founded and organized.

The period of Tokugawa Shoogun prevailed for two hundred and sixty years until the Meiji Restoration.

Meiji Restoration

The Meiji Restoration ushered in the dawn of modernization of Japan; it paved the way for Japan’s entry into the family of modern nations.

In other words, the Restoration of 1868 forms a most conspicuous landmark in the long history of the country.

But the government innovations consequent upon the Meiji Restoration were simply along the lines of restoration of the time-honored government by the Emperor.

In March 1868, the Emperor Meiji issued the administrative Oath of Five Articles.

The general policy of the government was thus firmly established.

In July of the same year, the Emperor visited Edo and changed its name to Tokyo.

He returned to Kyoto for a while, but in the spring of the following year settled in Tokyo, which became the capital of the country.

Shortly after this, the feudal barons throughout the country returned their status and fiefs to the Emperor’s government.

Thereupon, the government officially abolished the feudal system and set up a new form of administrative government.

Feudalism gave place to centralization of power.

Reform after reform was instituted, including the adoption of educational and military systems.

Guide for Free Conversation and Exercise

1 Topics;

a Discuss the following topics with your classmates in Japanese.

(1) Period of military government.

(2) Policy of Tokugawa Shogunate.

(3) Visit of Commodore Perry to Japan.

(4) Meiji Restoration

2 Exercise;

a Match the words in Column (A) with those of Column (B) and insert the letters of Column (B) in the spaces provided in Column (A).

1 鎖国

2 幕府

3 提督

4 開港

5 通商

6 王政復古

a commerce

b policy

c military government

d restoration of Imperial rule

e letter

f commodore

7 明治維新

8 軍政

9 書翰

10 政策

g Shogunate

h national isolation

i Meiji Restoration

j opening of the port

Homework

1 Study the Narration thoroughly and memorize the vocabulary.

2 Read the Guide for Free Conversation and do the exercises given.

3 Learn to read and write the new Kanji.

4 Read the Cultural Notes.