Major Shogunates: Kamukura | Ashikaga | Tokugawa
The Tokugawa Shogunate
The Tokugawa Shogunate was a feudal military single party rule in Japan from the year 1603 to 1868. The Tokugawa Shogunate held power in the Edo period. At this period of the history of Japan, was when the caste system was most severe. This led to the societal unrest and overthrow of the Shogunate. Thus the new emperor Meiji was introduced.
The family of Tokugawa grew to power in 1603. They ruled the Edo Castle. The family founded its power on social hierarchy with little to no flexibility between social classes. The most powerful samurai was the Warrior Samurai. Followed by the farmers, artisans, and traders. The land was mostly controlled by the Daimyo. They collected the taxes and military services from their slaves. This eventually added to the collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate due to taxes being fixed. Also the Shogunate was not aware on how the severe inflation could impact their Shogunate. This led to poverty and harsh battles amongst the ruling class.
The Tokugawa Shogunate maintained most of its power over land and they could distribute, seize or convert lands held by the Daimyo at will. The Daimyo families were expected to dispense themselves between their Han (land holdings) and spending time in Edo with the Shogunate.
