How did the Tokugawa's period of reign transform Japanese society?
The transformation of the Japanese society under the Tokugawa shoguns was profound as it led to the formation, structure and existence of the Japanese society we see today. Tokugawa Iemistu, Tsunayoshi, and Yoshinobu in particular had significant impacts on the transformation of the society.
Tokugawa Iemitsu was the third shogun to rule over Japan. He reduced the powers of the emperor; he introduced strict government administration rules and rules about the education and behaviour of warriors. He expelled the Portuguese to prevent the spread of seditious ideas, thus closing his country to all commerce with the outside world except for a limited, strictly regulated trade with Korea and with Dutch and Chinese merchants at the port of Nagasaki.
Tokugawa Tsunayoshi commonly known as the ‘dog shogun’ was the fifth shogun. He was given this nickname as he kept many dogs and introduced a law protecting animals. This law also stopped the Samurai from constantly killing. In 1682, Tsunayoshi ordered his censors and police to raise standards of the people. For example, he outlawed prostitution to improve morals. Instead of employing Daimyo’s who had status but no real talent to work for him, Tsunayoshi employed men with talent however no status. This transformed society as Tsunayoshi now had people who knew what they were doing working for him, thus improving the economy.
Tokugawa Yoshinobu the 15th shogun of Japan played an important role in the transformation as he was responsible for the ending of medieval Japan and the beginning of the Modern Japan. He helped make the Meiji Restoration, restoring all divine rights back to the emperor. He also helped overthrow the Shogun position bringing an end to 250 years of the Shogun rule in favour of government. Importantly, he opened to trade with foreign countries ending centuries of isolation.