Tokugawa shogunate facts for kids
The Tokugawa shogunate was a powerful military government that ruled Japan for over 250 years. It was also known as the Tokugawa bakufu (徳川幕府) or Edo bakufu (江戸幕府). The leaders of this government were called shoguns, and they all belonged to the Tokugawa clan.
The time when the Tokugawa shogunate ruled is known as the Edo period. This period gets its name from the city of Edo (which is now Tokyo), where the Tokugawa shoguns lived and governed. This era is also sometimes called the Tokugawa period or the pre-modern period of Japan.
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The Start of the Tokugawa Shogunate
In 1603, a very important leader named Tokugawa Ieyasu became the Shogun. He set up his military government in the city of Edo, which we now call Tokyo. This marked the beginning of a long period of peace and stability in Japan.
How the Shogunate Ruled Japan
The Tokugawa shogunate was a type of feudal government. This means that the Shogun was the most powerful person, but he ruled through a system of lords called daimyo. Each daimyo controlled their own land and had their own samurai warriors. The Shogun made sure all the daimyo followed his rules, keeping Japan united and peaceful.
Life During the Edo Period
During the Edo period, Japan was mostly closed off from the rest of the world. This helped to keep the country stable and allowed Japanese culture to develop in unique ways. Cities like Edo grew very large, and new forms of art, theater, and literature became popular. The samurai class remained important, but their role changed from fighting battles to serving as administrators and officials.
Leaders of the Tokugawa Shogunate
Here is a list of the fifteen Tokugawa shoguns who ruled Japan:
- Tokugawa Ieyasu, ruled from 1603 to 1605
- Tokugawa Hidetada, ruled from 1605 to 1623
- Tokugawa Iemitsu, ruled from 1623 to 1651
- Tokugawa Ietsuna, ruled from 1651 to 1680
- Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, ruled from 1680 to 1709
- Tokugawa Ienobu, ruled from 1709 to 1712
- Tokugawa Ietsugu, ruled from 1713 to 1716
- Tokugawa Yoshimune, ruled from 1716 to 1745
- Tokugawa Ieshige, ruled from 1745 to 1760
- Tokugawa Ieharu, ruled from 1760 to 1786
- Tokugawa Ienari, ruled from 1787 to 1837
- Tokugawa Ieyoshi, ruled from 1837 to 1853
- Tokugawa Iesada, ruled from 1853 to 1858
- Tokugawa Iemochi, ruled from 1858 to 1866
- Tokugawa Yoshinobu, ruled from 1866 to 1867
The End of the Shogunate
The Tokugawa shogunate ended in 1867 with the last Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu. This was followed by a big change in Japan called the Meiji Restoration. During this time, the emperor regained power, and Japan began to modernize and open up to the world.
Related pages
Images for kids
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The Mon (emblem) of the Tokugawa clan. The Shogunate kept peace for 250 years.
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Edo Castle in the 17th century.
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A Dutch trading post in Dejima, around 1805.
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Christian prisoners in Edo during the 17th century.
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Samurai of the Shimazu clan.
See also
In Spanish: Shogunato Tokugawa para niños
