The Tokugawa Shogunate Facts & Worksheets

The Tokugawa Shogunate, commonly known as the Edo period, was the final era of traditional Japan. It was characterized by internal peace, political stability, and economic progress under the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate (military dictatorship), which Tokugawa Ieyasu established.

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Key Facts & Information

HISTORY OF THE TOKUGAWA

• The name Tokugawa (Shinjitai in modern Japanese, or Kyūjitai in historical Japanese) is a Japanese surname meaning “Virtuous river.” Tokugawa Ieyasu took the surname in 1567, reviving an ancestral place name.
• The Tokugawa period (1603–1867), commonly known as the Edo period, was the final era of traditional Japan and was characterized by internal tranquility, political stability, and economic progress under the rule of the shogunate established by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
• It began with Tokugawa Ieyasu’s victory over Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s forces at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and the centering of political power around the Tokugawa clan and its daimyo allies in eastern Japan. The imperial court granted Ieyasu the title of shogun in 1603.
• Because of his organizational prowess and military skill, Tokugawa Ieyasu was able to seize control of a united Japan.

TOKUGAWA GOVERNMENT

• Hierarchy – Neo-Confucianism, which stressed the value of morals, education, and hierarchical order in the government and society, was the most significant school of thought in Tokugawa Japan. 
• During the Edo period, there was a rigid class system, with samurai at the top and peasants, artisans, and merchants below them. The four class members were not permitted to alter their social standing. The fifth class was made up of outcasts and those in occupations that were viewed as immoral.
• On top of these samurai were the high-ranking officials comprising the Daimyo, Shogun, and Emperor.
• Relationship with the emperor – Japan was divided during the 16th century between several rival daimyos. Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Tokugawa Shogunate daimyo by defeating all competing challengers for power via military conquest and dominance.  
• The Tokugawa Shogunate’s greatest legacy was Japan’s isolation from the rest of the world.
• The shoguns who controlled Japan forcibly barred foreigners from entering the country out of fear that their influence would harm Japan, especially in maintaining its traditions. 
• They particularly persecuted Christians and Christian missionaries.
• Only the Tokugawa administration dealt with the emperor, the imperial court, and the nobility. Since the shogun was an imperial appointee, the emperor served as the source of legitimacy. 
• Additionally, the emperor was the center of attention due to Confucianism, the Tokugawa house’s official philosophy during the Edo era. As a result, the Tokugawa shogunate had exclusive access to the imperial court. Although the monopoly was eventually broken, it is still true that the Tokugawa controlled and used the court for its own ends.

DOMAIN AND POWER

• The Tokugawa shogunate was very similar to any domainal government in that it was first charged with overseeing the management of a small area, the fief of the Tokugawa house. 
• As a result, it was concerned with managing the samurai class, collecting taxes, civil order, defending the fief, managing the cities, trade, and manufacturing that was necessary for the fief, and limiting unfavorable forms of trade.
• The extent of government was comparable in the majority of fields. The majority of domains actually adopted the shogunate’s system as the Edo era progressed.

THE TOKUGAWA SHOGUNS

• Tokugawa Ieyasu – The Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan was established by Tokugawa Ieyasu, who also served as its first shogun, and it controlled the country from 1603 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Along with Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his fellow Oda subordinate, Oda Nobunaga, he was one of the three “Great Unifiers” of Japan.
• Tokugawa Hidetada – The Tokugawa dynasty’s second shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada, governed from 1605 until his abdication in 1623. He was Tokugawa Ieyasu’s third child and the Tokugawa shogunate’s first shogun.
• Tokugawa Iemitsu – The third shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty was Tokugawa Iemitsu. He crucified Christians, banned and expelled all Europeans from Japan, and closed the territory’s borders.
• Tokugawa Ietsuna – From 1651 to 1680, Tokugawa Ietsuna served as the fourth shogun of the Japanese Tokugawa dynasty. He was a frail shogun but managed to reign for nine years with no notable political strife.
• Tokugawa Tsunayoshi – Japan’s Tokugawa dynasty’s fifth shogun was Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. Most of Tsunayoshi’s achievements were in the field of culture, where he sought to further the Neo-Confucianism of the Chinese scholar Chu Hsi, whose ideology emphasized loyalty to the state as man’s first responsibility.
• Tokugawa Ienobu – He changed the bakufu from being a military to a civilian organization, according to popular belief. He began by repealing the contentious decrees and legislation of Tsunayoshi. Shogun Ienobu truly tried to reestablish ties with the Kyoto court and emperor. Additionally, many court rituals were revived.
• Tokugawa Ietsugu – He reigned only for three years and died at the age of six. Under his reign, however, trade regulations were changed as a result of currency system reform. The bakufu appointed two foreign trade commissioners in Edo and Nagasaki, and 30 Chinese ships and two Dutch ships would be permitted to enter the country annually. Japan, however, continued to be a fairly isolated country.
• Tokugawa Yoshimune – One of the best Tokugawa shoguns was Yoshimune Tokugawa. His extensive changes significantly altered Japan’s central government. He participated in creating the Tokugawa era’s first legal code.
• The ensuing Kansei Code, which was not finished until after Yoshimune’s passing, provided the framework for a more humanitarian kind of legislation than what had previously been in place.
• Tokugawa Ieshige – The Japanese Tokugawa shogunate’s ninth ruler was Tokugawa Ieshige. Yoshimune’s strict personal rule had stopped the shogun’s attendants from controlling the administration, but this was established under Ieshige’s rule.
• Tokugawa Ieharu – Disease, starvation, natural disasters, and even official corruption are common under the reign of Ieshige. Ieharu is left with disgruntled retainers and ongoing social unrest. He took over the shogunate of a severely depleted government. Ieharu was left on his own to figure out how to restore the Tokugawa dynasty’s dominance.
• Tokugawa Ienari – Ienari became the 11th shogun after his father’s death. He was regarded as the shogun who ruled for the longest during the whole Tokugawa period, from 1787 to 1837. 
• Although he may have served as Shogun for the greatest period of time in Tokugawa history, he is also regarded as one of the worst. It was under his rule that the Japanese people endured hardship brought on by natural disasters and ineffective leadership.

FALL OF THE SHOGUNATE

• Even though the Tokugawa government was relatively stable for several centuries, its standing was progressively deteriorating for a number of reasons, including increasing taxes and unrest among the farming populace. 
• In addition, natural calamities and prolonged starvation provoked uprisings and further financial hardship for the daimyo and the central government in Japan.
• When the Russians attempted and failed to develop economic relations with Japan towards the end of the 18th century, external pressure became a more significant issue. In the nineteenth century, other European countries and Americans followed them.
• Many people quickly realized the significant advantages that Western countries enjoyed in science and the military and supported a total opening to the rest of the world. 
• Finally, after repeatedly coming into contact with Western warships, conservatives also realized this. 
• The Tokugawa regime was overthrown in 1867–1868 as a result of intense political pressure, and Emperor Meiji’s authority was reinstated.

Tokugawa Shogunate Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about The Tokugawa Shogunate across 30 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about The Tokugawa Shogunate, commonly known as the Edo period, which was the final era of traditional Japan. It was characterized by internal peace, political stability, and economic progress under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Tokugawa Shogunate Facts
2. The Land of the Rising Sun
3. The Unifiers of Japan
4. The Shogunate
5. Tokugawa Shoguns
6. Shogunate Society
7. Institutions of the Shogunate
8. Rise and Fall of Tokugawa
9. The Samurai
10. Art in the Shogunate
11. Edo Fashion

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Tokugawa shogunate?

The Tokugawa shogunate was a period of Japanese history that lasted from 1603 to 1868. It was characterized by a centralized government led by the shogun, or military ruler, who held most of the power in the country. During this time, Japan experienced a period of relative stability and peace, which allowed for economic growth, cultural development, and social change.

Who was the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate?

The first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate was Tokugawa Ieyasu. He rose to power after winning the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, which solidified his control over much of Japan. In 1603, he was granted the title of the shogun by the emperor, which marked the beginning of the Tokugawa shogunate.

What were some of the major policies of the Tokugawa shogunate?

The Tokugawa shogunate implemented a number of policies that helped to maintain social order and promote economic growth. One of the most famous policies was the system of alternate attendance, which required daimyo (regional lords) to spend every other year in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and leave their families behind as hostages. This helped to prevent rebellions and also allowed for greater control over the daimyo.

What were some of the cultural developments during the Tokugawa shogunate?

The Tokugawa period was also a time of great literary achievement, with the development of haiku poetry and the publication of classic works like The Tale of Genji and The Pillow Book. In addition, the shogunate supported the development of the kabuki theater, which became one of Japan’s most popular forms of entertainment.

What led to the decline of the Tokugawa shogunate?

The decline of the Tokugawa shogunate can be attributed to a number of factors. One of the most significant was the arrival of foreign powers in Japan in the mid-19th century, which challenged the country’s isolationist policies and led to political instability. In addition, the shogunate was facing economic challenges, including inflation and a growing wealth gap.

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