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 During the Edo Period (1600~1868), the most famous Shogun of them all, Tokugawa Ieyasu got rid of the decentralized feudal system and installed the
bakufu (military government) in the city of Edo, better known to us all as Tokyo (even today, people born in
Tokyo are known as Edo-ko, or children of Edo).
Japan had experienced its first contact with European culture
and religion some 60 years before. And although one of his advisors
was an Englishman, Will Adams, Ieyasu saw European influence as a threat to the newly-found
national stability and decided on a closed-door policy. He prohibited
virtually all cultural and diplomatic contact with the outside
world. Those who dared to venture abroad were executed on their
return to prevent any form of 'contamination'. The only trade
allowed was with the Dutch, who were confined to the small island
of Dejima (left) in Nagasaki, and the only people allowed into contact
with them were merchants and prostitutes. In the strict class
structure, chonin (merchants) were considered the lowest, although in subsequent
years they were to prosper. The once strong samurai class lost
most of their relevance amidst the peace and stability while the
military leaders held complete power and expected total and unwavering
obedience.
The cultural renaissance of the time can probably be linked to
the extremely rigid codes of behavior governing clothing, social
activities and whom one should marry. Culturally, the Edo Period
produced much of what we recognize today as uniquely Japanese.
Kabuki, ukiyo-e, porcelain and lacquer-ware, for example, were all born and thrived
during this time. Advances in printing and education led to a
highly literate population for its day although kabuki and ukiyo-e
were more pop culture than high art.
Everything began to change with the arrival of US Navy Commodore
Matthew C. Perry and his 'black ships' in 1853. He came demanding trade and was
soon followed by British and other westerners. Some years later
and after a show of force in 1864, the Tokugawa Shogunate was
losing the support of the daimyo (barons). They were unhappy about the foreign intrusions and
wanted to expel all foreigners by force. The Shogunate surrendered
power to the emperor Meiji in 1867 and subsequent rebellions were quashed.
Matthew C. Perry |
Emperor Meiji |
Ito Hirobumi |
The Meiji Period (1868~1912) began with this so-called Meiji Restoration in 1868,
and the Imperial court was moved from Kyoto to Edo, which was
renamed Tokyo, meaning the Eastern Capital. The days of feudalism
were over and the new centralized government was left in the hands
of those in favor of westernization. The emperor made Shinto the state religion, thereby establishing himself and his heirs
as living gods. He also set out to create a modern and industrialised
country in a fraction of the time it had taken the countries of
the West. Western styles were hurriedly adopted and traditional
ones often abandoned. The military and industrial bases were considerably
strengthened. Foreign Minister and later Prime Minister Okuma
Shigenobu successfully renegotiated treaties with the West. A
new constitution was adopted in 1889 under the guidance of Prince
Ito Hirobumi and Japan's modernisation was well underway. With this surge
of development and change came an increased desire to dominate
the rest of Asia. Successful campaigns in the Sino-Japanese War (1894-5) and Russo-Japanese War (1904-5) and the annexation of Korea (1910) certainly made Japan
the major force in the region at the beginning of the 20th century.
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