【Japanese History Inquiry】Early Modern Japan: From the Oda-Toyotomi Administration to the Stability of the Tokugawa Shogunate
Hello everyone! How is your history studying going?
The term "Early Modern" (Kinsei) might sound a bit intimidating, but it is actually an incredibly exciting era where the images of "Samurai" and "Lords" that we all know today were firmly established.
Once you master this chapter, you’ll see the roots of Japan’s modern townscapes and culture, and history will feel much more relevant to your daily life. It might seem like there’s a lot to memorize at first, but don't worry. Let's break it down together and focus on the key points!
1. The Oda-Toyotomi Administration: Unifying a Divided Japan
It was Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi who brought an end to the chaos of the Sengoku (Warring States) period and set out to unify Japan.
Oda Nobunaga’s New Way of Nation-Building
Nobunaga dismantled the old rules to build a new framework:
・Rakuichi-Rakuza (Free Markets and Guilds): He abolished exclusionary trade guilds to allow anyone to conduct business freely, which stimulated the economy.
・Burning of Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei: He sought to suppress powerful religious organizations that attempted to interfere in politics.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s Unification
Hideyoshi, who succeeded Nobunaga, brought the entire country under his control:
・Taikō Kenchi (Taikō Land Survey): He surveyed the size and crop yield of fields across the country. This ensured that taxes (nengu) could be collected reliably.
・Katanagari (Sword Hunt): He confiscated weapons from the peasantry.
Key Point: These two policies combined are called Heinō Bunri (Separation of Warrior and Farmer). This was the moment when the roles were clearly defined: "Samurai handle politics and war," while "Farmers handle agriculture."
【Trivia】What is "Kokudaka"?
In the Early Modern period, the value of land wasn't measured in money, but in how much rice it produced (Kokudaka). One "koku" is said to be the amount of rice one adult consumes in a single year.
Summary of this section:
Remember that Hideyoshi used the "Land Survey" and "Sword Hunt" to separate samurai from farmers, laying the foundation for the class system of the Edo period!
2. Establishment and Structure of the Edo Shogunate: The Secret to 260 Years of Peace
In 1603, Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Edo Shogunate. Why did the Edo period last so long? It’s because they were masters of using both the "carrot and the stick" to control the Daimyo (feudal lords).
Categorizing and Managing Daimyo
Ieyasu divided the Daimyo into three groups based on their closeness to the Tokugawa family:
・Shinpan: Relatives of the Tokugawa family.
・Fudai (Hereditary Lords): Loyal retainers who served the Tokugawa since before the Battle of Sekigahara; they held key positions in the Shogunate.
・Tozama (Outer Lords): Lords who became allies after the Battle of Sekigahara; they were generally assigned to lands far from Edo.
Strict Rules: "Buke Shohatto" and "Sankin-kōtai"
・Buke Shohatto (Laws for the Military Houses): Laws that the Daimyo had to obey. It included bans like "You cannot repair castles without permission" or "You cannot marry without authorization," effectively binding them to the Shogunate.
・Sankin-kōtai (Alternate Attendance): Systematized by the 3rd Shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu. This rule required Daimyo to travel back and forth between their domains and Edo every other year. Since this was extremely expensive, the goal was to ensure they wouldn't have enough spare funds to fund a rebellion.
【Common Misconception】
People often think "Sankin-kōtai was just a way to harass the Daimyo," but in reality, this system led to the development of major highways (like the Tōkaidō) and the prosperity of post-towns, acting as a catalyst for economic and cultural exchange across the country.
Summary of this section:
The point is that the Shogunate kept the Daimyo's power in check by restricting them with "Buke Shohatto" and draining their resources through "Sankin-kōtai"!
3. "Sakoku" (National Seclusion) and Foreign Relations: Was it Truly Closed?
When you think of the Edo period, the term "Sakoku" comes to mind, but in reality, Japan still interacted with the outside world through four gateways (Yotsu-no-Kuchi).
Purpose and Progression of Seclusion
The Shogunate restricted trade primarily because they feared that the spread of Christianity would threaten their control. Following the Shimabara Rebellion (a revolt by Christians and others) in 1637, these restrictions became even stricter.
The Four Gateways (High probability for exams!)
1. Nagasaki: Trade with the Netherlands and China (Qing). Managed directly by the Shogunate.
2. Tsushima: Diplomacy with Korea. The Korean Tongsinsa (diplomatic missions) visited Japan.
3. Satsuma: Trade through the Ryukyu Kingdom (modern-day Okinawa).
4. Matsumae: Trade with the Ainu people.
Point: Understanding that "Japan wasn't completely isolated from the world," but rather "the Shogunate held a monopoly on the points of entry for information" is the correct way to view it!
4. Edo Economy and Culture: The Power of the Townsfolk Explodes!
As the era of peace continued, agriculture developed, and the merchant class began to gain real power.
The Five Routes and Currency
The Five Routes (Gokaido), such as the Tōkaidō, were developed, making the transport of goods between Edo, Kyoto, and Osaka very active. Because Osaka served as the hub where rice arrived from all over the country, it was called the "Kitchen of the Realm."
Two Great Cultures
Edo-period culture is divided into two distinct periods:
・Genroku Culture: Developed in the late 17th century, centered in the Kamigata region (Kyoto/Osaka). It was a luxurious and sophisticated culture, featuring the puppet theater (Ningyō Jōruri) of Chikamatsu Monzaemon, the novels of Ihara Saikaku, and the paintings of Ogata Kōrin.
・Kasei Culture: Developed in the first half of the 19th century, centered in Edo. Characterized by the irony, humor, and energy of the common people, seen in works like the Ukiyo-e of Katsushika Hokusai and the literature of Jippensha Ikku.
【Memorization Tip】
"Mo (Genroku) - U - Ka (Kamigata) - Mi (Late 17th Century)"
"Ka (Kasei) - E (Edo) - Ba (First half of the 19th century)"
Organizing them by their initials like this helps keep the locations and time periods from getting mixed up!
5. Shogunate Reforms: How to Overcome the Crisis?
By the middle of the Edo period, the Shogunate began to face serious financial shortages. This led to the "Three Great Reforms."
1. Kyōhō Reforms: Led by the 8th Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune. He implemented thrift, land reclamation, and the "Ashidaka" system (\(ashidaka-no-sei\)) to stabilize the finances of the samurai class.
2. Kansei Reforms: Led by Matsudaira Sadanobu. He enforced very strict rules, which made him unpopular with the common people.
3. Tenpō Reforms: Led by Mizuno Tadakuni. He tried to lower prices by dissolving trade guilds (kabunakama), but it backfired and ended in failure.
Point: Even though the Shogunate tried their best to reform, rural areas gradually declined, famines occurred, and it all eventually led to the chaos of the end of the Edo period (Bakumatsu).
Final Word:
If you view the history of the Early Modern period as "the story of a perfect system created by strong leaders (like Ieyasu) that slowly begins to unravel due to the changes in the times," it becomes much easier to understand.
It might be hard to deal with all the names and terms at first, but try to enjoy your studies by imagining how each event connects to the Japan we live in today. I'm rooting for you!