Portrait of a Samurai by Antoon Bauduin c1865
Portrait of a Samurai by Antoon Bauduin c1865
In 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu's victory at the Battle of Sekigahara marked the beginning of a new era in Japan. By 1603, he had established the Tokugawa shogunate, transforming a fragmented nation into a centralized and peaceful society during the Edo period. This era, lasting over 260 years, was characterized by remarkable social stability, economic growth, and cultural flourishing, achieved through strategic policies that balanced control with innovation. The Tokugawa shogunate implemented a strict feudal hierarchy, limiting the autonomy of regional daimyos through the sankin-kōtai system. This required daimyos to spend alternate years in Edo, ensuring loyalty and preventing rebellion. See our article on the How the Tokugawa Shogunate Crafted Japan’s Edo Period Stability.
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