Tokugawa Shogunate Regime Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Tokugawa Shogunate Regime - Essay Example This period was characterized by economic growth and prosperity, very strict social orders, an increase in both environmental protection isolationist foreign policies, popular enjoyment of arts and culture. This form of regime was organized and administered from Edo in Japan in the 1603 by a ruler named Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Tokugawa regime had established a ruling dynasty at the Tokugawa castle, which was based in Edo. Tokugawa regime came into power following a coup that toppled the administration of Oda Nobunaga at a battle known as the battle of Sekigahara at a period known as the Azuchi-Momoyama period. After this battle, Tokugawa Ieyasu who had taken over as the leader of the battle in 1600 took over the administration of Edo area and later on, this administrative power became hereditary to his family. After He later took over the administrative powers, he gained the title shogun, also known as noble military ruler since he was a descendant of the ancient Mina Moto clan. Unlike the previous regimes of the Shogunate, the society in the Tokugawa period was supposedly based on strict, hierarchy which was originally established by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.Unlike other common dictatorial regimes, the Shogun administration was characterized by economic growth and prosperity. The regime had adopted various principles that saw the country prosper both economically and socially. One of the greatest factors t hat saw the prosperity of the Tokugawa regime was the long-standing peace period, which lasted for two hundred and fifty years. Through this long tome peace, the country was able to develop and gain political and economic prosperity. This period of long time peace, also saw the populations of the country largely increase therefore forming a big army known as the Samurais. The large group of Samurais also contributed a lot in protecting the country from future attacks by its enemies. Moreover, the Samurais also engaged in other economic activities such as farming which contributed to the growth of the country’s economy. However, the change from Sengoku meant that they were obliged to work as bureaucrats in the Tokugawa government. The Tokugawa government forced various changes in the different life style of the people of Japan. All the sectors of the society were limited to follow their traditional roles in a stricter manner than it was done in the previous regimes. This form of traditional confinement begun during the administration by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. This harsh imposition saw the regime begin an administration that formed the four-tier class structure, which imposed and enforced rules even regarding small details such as which classes of people could use deluxe silks for their clothing or tortoise shell for hair-pins. In order to enforce their laws, the ruling regime in Japan banned the practice of other religions in the country in 1614 by Tokugawa Hidetada. This move mostly targeted the Christians who were converted by Portuguese traders and missionaries in previous years. In order to make compulsory this law, the Shogunate made it compulsory for all citizens to enlist themselves with their native Buddhist temple. However, those who refused to comply with this orders were considered disloyal from the regime of the Bakufu. This move by the Shogunate saw the eradication of the Shimabara Rebellion, which was comprised mostly of Christian peasant farm ers between 1637 and 1638. The Japanese Christians were later expatriated, executed, or driven underground, and Christianity ceased from existence in the country. Despite this dictatorial regime, the Tokugawa shoguns controlled the country over a long period of peace and relative prosperity in Japan. The long peaceful regime generated the