Social Edo japan

• Shintoism


  • The ancient religion of Japan and the love of nature was the most important aspect
• Japanese Self-Sufficiency


  • Even when Japan had very little trade with other countries, they were able to produce their own food, clothes, and buildings. Nature compensated for the limited amount of land that was suitable for farming by making it fertile. The temperate climate, dependable rainfall and short winter also helped
• Tokugawa Shogun


  Rulers, they maintained control over Japan
• How Tokugawa Shogun established and maintained control/influence


  Controlled the daimyo and created harsh, strict rules
• Japanese Social Structure


  • Emperor
  • Shogun (held true power) & daimyo
  • Samurai
  • Peasants & Artisans (lower than the peasants)
  • Merchants
• Exclusion Laws


  • No newcomers and Christian missionaries and foreign traders were forced to leave
  • Japanese weren't allowed to go abroad
  • Ships could not longer be built and existing ones were destroyed
  • Japanese who were abroad could not return
  • Foreign objects were forbidden
• Threats from the West

  • Christianity*
  • Foreigners posed a threat to military control
  • The daimyo could acquire weapons that could overthrow the shogun
  • Christian God & Church were a threat to authority
• Matthew Perry


  Leader of the American warships
• Treaty of Kanagawa


  • Established permanent friendship between two countries
  • Proper treatment for shipwrecked Americans
  • Fuel for American ships
  • Two ports opened for trade
• Treaty of Kanagawa


  Ended the isolation of Japan
• Americans expanded Japan

  Made several unequal treaties to make Japan more westernized
• The Japanese soon started to follow the western ways
• Meiji Restoration


  • Create a strong central government that could unite Japan and rule it more effectively
  • Make government and democracy like the west
• Steps toward Westernization


  • Dress like the west. Abandon kimonos for suits, Cut hair short, Grow mustaches
  • Change unequal treaties
  • Become a civilized country
  • Make foreign books available
  • Adopt new and improved ideas
• Many Japanese thought that the westernization was going too far and the Europeans and westerners mocked how quickly the Japanese converted to westernizations
• Japanese Militarization


  • All men serve time in the army for 3 years and put them on reserve duty
  • Took control of all island territories
• Factors leading to Economic success

  • Ability to learn from others & adapt and improve these "borrowings"
  • Importance of education
  • Desire to make their country powerful and respected
  • Willingness to work hard and make sacrifices for the greater good