Unifying Japan Essay

The death of emperor Hideyoshi and subsequent ascension to the throne of Hideyori in 1598 set into motion events that would alter the political landscape in Japan for the next two hundred and fifty years. Tokugawa Ieyasu, in his quest to become absolute ruler of Japan defeated Hideyori loyalists in the battle of Sekigahara and was appointed Shogun by Hideyori in 1603. This military “coup d’état” effectively gave Tokugawa complete control of Japan and reduced the emperor to little more than a figurehead in the governing of Japan. As history would show, the feudal system of government that Tokugawa created ultimately led to

Each strove to maintain a centralized government. For Japan the leader was to be called an emperor or empress who could only be a part of the royal family if they were related to the Shinto sun goddess. As for Europe, the leader was to be called a king or a queen. Like Japan, not just anybody could become royalty. Kings and queens came from a long descent of an Imperial family. Tradition was that the first born son of the king would become the next ruler following the kings death. However, if no legitimate son were born then the daughter would become queen. In Europe, the royal family and institution was usually

It is clear that Japan’s ‘three unifiers’ were beneficial to the development of Japan in three fundamental areas: social, economic and political. Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu are known for unifying Japan after the sengoku period (c. 1467 – c. 1603), a time of internal conflict. While each unifier had a different approach to developing Japan, the corroboration of each new policy resulted in an improved Japan which set foundations for lasting central rule.

This research essay will examine how the Isolation policy, introduced by the Tokugawa shogunate, was a turning point in Japanese history. The first section of the essay will discuss the rationale for the policy’s introduction. This will be followed by an analysis of the short and long term effects this policy had on Japanese Society.

The first humans arrived to Japan around 35,000 B.C. Japan has a history of being locked out to the outside world, refusing to open its borders to foreigners. In 1633, the Sakoku Policy, issued a “locked country” law that banned immigrants from entering Japan on penalty of death and disallowed Japanese from leaving Japan. The first historic papers mentioning Japan date to around the 5th century, legend holds that Emperor Jimmu was the primary emperor of an imperial line that is still in place today. Archaeological proof gathered by a number of scholars implied the imperial rule started later, the third to seventh centuries AD, during the Kofun period. Tokugawa Ieyasu moved to re-join the country and effectively founded the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Japan at the turn of the century was clearly trying to westernize and change is isolated society into one more intellectually and scientifically involved with the rest of the world. When the Japanese open their ports to the western civilization food and merchandise were not the only things being traded. When ports were open the western way of living was integrated with the Japanese culture which gradually changed the way the

In 1639, Japan did unfair trading, which led to expelling most foreigners and foreign traders. Japan also had to limit their trades with China and the Dutch.

Japan has been a home for Shinto and Buddhist religions for centuries. The Christian missionaries during the 16th, 19th and 20th centuries worked hard to evangelize the Japanese nation but could not get desired success. There efforts in past failed partly due to sanctions imposed by the local rulers. The Jesuits missionaries traveled with Spanish and Portuguese traders to many areas of America and Asia-Pacific and established their churches and religious missions. They were funded, sponsored and trained by their respective governments in order to spread Christianity. At several places they preached the Christian faith by force but the aboriginal population did not accept it wholeheartedly. Initially the Jesuits

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 United States wanted to be able to trade with Japan. Japan is on the trade route to china so the americans wanted to set up a coal station in Japan, so they could get fuel for their steamships. The U.S sent a representative to try and discuss about getting a coal station, but he was told to leave. Next commodore Perry entered edo with four huge war ships and several objectives; to get supplies and coal from Japan, to protect sailors and american ships that might need help, and to have an official trade agreement with Japan. After the third time the United states came into japan asking for a coal station the bakufu decided to sign the treaty in 1854. At the time japan felt that this agreement was a huge accomplishment because, it allowed them to still be independent and control over their country, although no trade agreement was actually made, but Perry’s other two objectives were met; two ports were opened to the U.S ships, and shipwrecked sailors were to

The widespread of Christianity in Japan started because of Oda Nobunaga encouraged missionaries to convert many Japanese to Christians because he wanted to reduce the influence of Buddhist monasteries. However, his successors did not share the same view. Hideyoshi felt threaten by Christians, especially the Catholics because of several reasons. One of these reasons was that the Spaniards conquered the islands of Philippines (Watts). Another reason is that Hideyoshi felt threaten with the concept of foreign ruler that many Catholics recognized, the Catholic Pope. The tension finally escalated when Hideyoshi

The Japanese were not unknown to attempts to have them enter the consumerist world of the 19th century. Michael R. Austin bring this up in his book Negotiating with Imperialism, “The boundary’s physical manifestation was the trading complex at Nagasaki, on the southern island of Kyushu…Nagasaki first and foremost was closed to whom the bakufu wished to keep out of Japan.” The bakufu was basically the government of the time that was command by the Emperor. He later describes how Japan slowly rolled out their trade to other countries prior to the west that were mostly in Asian. He later describes how that the Japanese were uneasy to open to the west due to cultural boundaries instead of the aforementioned physical

In Peter Duus’ Japanese Discovery of America, the author shows the learning experience that Japan went through in order to become one of the strongest countries in the early 20th century. From 1797 when the first American ship arrived in Japan, to 1879 when President Grant visited the Meiji emperor, Japan, not one of the strongest countries economically and militarily at the time, had interactions with multiple countries that included Russia, England and Portugal. However, Japan’s Confucianism belief and the development of the Tokaido Road served as roots for their quick rise to modernization. Even though multiple countries were cooperating with Japan, the relations with the United States proved to be the most

Hideyoshi outlawed Christianity in Japan, known as the land of gods, for because it was causing dishonesty, deceit, and the destruction of valuable texts. For example, vassals would illegally give some of their land given to him by his lord to the church. Also, priests would tempt people to come become a believer like them because of their knowledge in medicines and sciences. The priests were trying to get on the peoples' good side, so they could destroy the teachings of Buddha, which was their main religion, along with their temples. If the priests were caught doing these obscene acts they were served with a notice to get out of the country, they would have to leave within the twenty days of receiving it. Luckily, that didn’t stop trade between

Throughout the course of East Asian history, Japan has been largely influenced by the Asian mainland. From ancient times to the medieval period, significant contributions to Japan can be seen coming from both Korea and China. Both of these countries diffused elements of their cultures to form the basis of Japanese society – namely China. These foreigners would influence various aspects of society including technology, philosophy, politics, and religion.