The Age of Shogun: Japanese History 1600-1868Dr PM Jolliffe

Introduction

The first Shogun was Minamoto Yoritomo (1147-1199); his headquarters were in Kamakura

After the Battle of Sekigahara (1600), Tokugawa Ieyasu (1142-1616) received the title Shogun.

The Tokugawa Shogunate lasted until 1868

Edo (modern Tokyo) was the administrative headquarters of the Shogunate, whilst Kyoto remained the capital and seat of the Emperor

The structure of Tokugawa society:

Further study:

Historical sources: Read “The Social Estates: Yamaga Sokō on ‘The Way of the Samurai’ (shidō)”

or “Trying to Get by on a Fixed Income: Economic Problems Facing the Samurai, as Seen in a Letter from Tani Tannai to Saitaniya Hachirōbei Naomasu (1751) and Statement from Three Village Leaders to a Tokugawa Bannerman (1856)” both in Vaporis: Voices of Early Modern Japan (Chapters 22 and 23).

Popular literature: Choose a story from Ihara Saikaku’s Five Women who loved love or a play by Chikamatsu Monzaemon in Major Plays of Chikamatsu (all available online). Discuss the relations between the social estates

Films: Watch The Hidden Blade (2004) or Twilight Samurai (2002) both directed by Yamada Yoji, discuss the relations between the social estates (will be available in ODCE Library)

tennō, aristocracy, medical doctors, scholars, clergyFour estates: shi (daimyō and

samurai)　nō (peasants)　kō 　(artisans) shō (merchants)

Outcasts: eta (“untouchables”)　 hinin (“non-humans”)

The Age of Shogun: Japanese History 1600-1868Dr PM Jolliffe

Source: Murdoch and Yamagata (1903) A History of Japan. During the Century of Early Foreign Intercourse (1542-1651). Kobe: Published at the Office of the “Chronicle”.