The Influence Of Tokugawa Ieyasu On Military Government

The Warrior class were part of the social class in Japan that included Shoguns, Daimyos and Samurais. The Shoguns would rule the Daimyos, who had control over the Samurais. Japan’s warrior class led to a lasting effect, enhanced weapons and effect on the social class which led to the alteration of the warrior class’ roles.

During the sixteenth century, both the Ottoman and Tokugawa Japanese empires had political and economic similarities and differences. Politically, these empires were alike because both had centralized bureaucracy but different because they had very distinct ways of keeping order within their empires. Economically, they were similar because both depended on trade yet different because of their willingness to trade. After close analysis the Tokugawa Japanese empire was more successful economically.

The samurai were the feudal warriors of ancient Japan. For thousands of years they upheld the code of bushido, the way of the warrior. Samurai were around for thousands of years, but when did they disappear? Does the code of bushido still exist to this day? Exploring the history of the samurai will give an explanation to what has happened to these formidable warriors.

There were two main groups in early Japanese shogunate period. The ‘good citizens’ included nobles, farmers and other free people. The ‘Low citizens’ include slaves, servants and guards. The daimyo and samurais belonged to the warrior class aka Shi. Shi was at the top because they protected the nation from invasion. Farmers were after daimyo’s and samurai’s they were called no. No were important because without food no one could survive. No people were essential as they produce food. Artisans aka ko came next. Ko made paper, fine swords and reed mats. Sho were merchants .The Sho were at the bottom of the social ladder because they didn't make anything. Sho lived by selling rice and other items.

The Japanese society was divided into four classes: samurai, peasants, artisans, and merchants. The samurai was a class of warriors, emerged from Japan during the constant

First, there were both the warrior class. Document A shows that the samurai were the middle of the social hierarchy and the knights were also in the middle. They both were important to the land because they protected it,

Knights and samurai were in the middle class and usually were the only ones who could move their position on the social triangle. For example, if you were born a merchant or peasant, you would stay in the lower class the rest of your

As shown in document 10, classes were strictly divided between the ruling class, warrior class, and peasant and other class (doc 10). Those with power, namely the land-owning daimyos, the fearsome samurai and ronin, and the influential shoguns and emperor, controlled and restricted the land owning peasants. Similarly, European feudalism placed powerful kings on top, then land-owning nobles, then knightly vassals, and finally poor serfs (doc 9). These class structures were stringent—rarely did people move from their class. In a Japanese edict of change of status from 1591, rulers commanded that farmers who do not farm and warriors who do not fight are to be expelled and punished (doc 7). The author writes this edict in a matter-of-fact tone, indicating that this social structure was normal. Knowing that only the wealthy were afforded the opportunity to write and make policy, it can be assumed that from the author’s point of view, this code of feudalism is necessary. The wealthy needed the peasants in order to get food and labor, thus a constant feudal class of workers was needed. Perhaps this would lead the author and Japanese rulers and shoguns to order harsher punishments. They would believe feudalism a necessity—a bias not to be over looked. An individual’s class was so important that people could not move from it in feudalism. In The Hundred Article Code of Chosokabe, the author demands that people maintain their station in life—warriors must train constantly, and peasants must pay their fair share to the shogun, otherwise severe punishment is received (doc 8). In general, feudalism requires that the peasants work for the vassals and warriors. In medieval Japan, peasants were to give two-thirds of their crops to the vassal samurai. It was common feudal practice that the rich ruled the poor. Feudalism was dominated by strict class

From 1450 to 1750, both Russia and Tokugawa Japan faced incoming influence from western Europe. They handled this in both similar and different ways in the aspects of culture, government, and global interaction.

Every leadership position was hereditary, passing the same titles down the lines of esteemed Japanese families. Only the Shogun could give favor and titles to families, completely cutting off any chance at social mobility. This strategic move kept daimyo competing with each other to please the Shogun, losing the chance to band together and overthrow the government instead (Lecture, 2013 Feb 12). This decentralized government was inefficient for any kind of domestic and foreign affairs to be handles quickly. There was no sense of nationalism and profits circulated only among the elite, who controlled trade. The large degree of separation between the domains ultimately resulted in civil war, permanently bringing down Tokugawa

The it went Lords or Barons who was given land by the king to look after in return to provide military. Then it went Knights who were the warriors of of that time. They were there to provide military service and to protect the kingdom. Lastly it went Peasants who were at the bottom of the class and were given land by the Knights in return for crops which they had to make. Each class was very important and without this it would fail. In the Tokugawa era of Japan they also had a class system which went Emperor who was at the top but had no power but he was just given respect. Then it was shoguns who were in charge of everything as they overthrew the emperor. Then it went Daimyo whose job was to keep peace in villages. Then it was farmer who provided crops for everyone one to eat. After farmers it went artisans who made all the art and clothes in Japan. Finally it went Merchants who ran stores and sold many

Japan was ultimately beneficial over its time span of its existence because of its many advances and benefits to the people who were a part of the empire. Though there were negative and harmful aspects of its rule, the good of the empire outweighed the bad. The Japanese were among the last to develop a complex society and completely isolated itself from outside influence. An era occurred where they began to borrow many things from China. They adopted their writing and imitated their literature. By the late 1800s, however, an imperial restoration occurred with Commander Perry in charge . In order to stop westernization in Japan, the country adopted western culture. The Empire of Japan emerged and was more reformed than ever. By rapidly expanding under the slogan Fukoku Kyōhei (“Enrich the Country, Strengthen the Army”), Japan began its journey to beginning a world power. Japan began to seek profits overseas increasing their exposure to the outside world and their cultures. With all of these advancements, the overall success and benefit to its people of the empire of Imperial Japan came from its militarization.

Throughout History, there have been many different groups or events that are still widely known today. Groups of people such as the Indians or Vikings are popular groups which are referenced constantly in today’s society. However, none of these groups is more known or referenced than the Japanese Samurai. Originating in 646 AD, these Japanese warriors developed from a loose organization of farmers to the dominant social class in Feudal Japan. Along with their dominant military and political standing, the samurai brought with them a unique code or moral belief that became the core of Samurai culture. Because of this, the Samurai and their principles still affect modern day Japanese society with social customs today

The primary beneficiaries of the emerging money economy were the merchants. Daimyo and samurai traded their rice for money with the merchants who soon became very rich. Merchants, cashing in on daimyo debt attained positions of authority within the daimyo households. Many were living lavish lifestyles only dreamt of by samurai. This caused resentment in Japanese society because, although they were socially inferior, merchants enjoyed an elevated status economically (Kunihiko 1997). Perhaps the social class that suffered the most indignities was the samurai who, lacking the means to earn a living on their regular income, indulged in the lifestyle of Edo. Many had to resort to engaging in handicraft for income vice training at the martial arts thus leading to inherent corruption (Nobumitsu 1997).

Between 1968 and 1912, Japan was going through a reformation called Meiji Restoration in order make the country strong as western countries. It had caused changes in many parts of Japan such as society, government, military, etc. Some of these changes still can be seen in the Japanese society today such as emperors are honored by Japanese citizens and seen as a special figure. Since this reformation had a great impact on development of Japan, it can be consider as a very important part of Japanese history.This study will seek to answer the question: To what extent did the Meiji Restoration succeeded to reform and strengthen Japan? In order to answer the question, the investigation will analyze military reform and economic reform caused by