Shōgunate Period

Intro The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the Edo shogunate, was a feudal military government that ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868. This period of Japanese history is often referred to as the Shōgunate period. The Tokugawa shogunate was established by Tokugawa Ieyasu after he won the decisive Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. He was appointed shōgun by the emperor in 1603, officially starting the Tokugawa shogunate. During this period, Japan experienced a long period of peace and stability, known as the Edo period. The Tokugawa shoguns centralized power, established a strict social hierarchy, and imposed strict laws to maintain order and control over the country. The shogunate also implemented a policy of isolation, known as sakoku, which restricted foreign influence and trade with other countries. This policy lasted for over 200 years until the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry's fleet in 1853, which forced Japan to open its doors to trade with the West.