The Rise of an Empire
Today I have been thinking about my class on modern Japan. It is one of the most interesting topics for me to study because it is so very different culturally. The period that I have been looking into is the Tokugawa period, which is 1600-1868. Even though my class is on modern Japan it starts off in the Tokugawa period because it gives an understanding to modern day Japan and its decisions throughout the 20th century.
The people of the nation of Japan are rooted in tradition. The Feudalistic system that was used during the period was set up in a way that would keep things the way they had been and it would preserve the system that was in place. Rituals were performed throughout the year. Some Rituals were used annually, weekly, and daily. Many things were routine in the life of the Japanese, nothing was suppose to shake up the system and peace and stability were looked at in favor.
As far as the Emperor went, many people did not know he existed in those days. He would seclude, or sequester, himself from the common people. His laws would come through messengers, Usually a family member that held some sort of valued position in the Kasei, or Kokusei ( governance systems of the lords house and/or the Domanial country). One of the more off beat laws that was created was a hunting law that allowed only the Emperor to hunt and kill Cranes. The people that worked underneath the Emperor had to pray weekly, or bi weekly, to the ancestors of the Emperor. Rituals were a big part of the daily life of the people, especially people of the court. The government was focused around the needs and wants of the Emperor, a very common idea in those days ( 1600&1700's). The people would want to please him, but this did not mean that all people agreed with him. Many people followed him because they had no choice in the matter, again, as in most cases in that time period. It was not until 1889 that Japan would draft its constitution and officially move away from the "old ways" it had known.
Just like most countries that had great systems of government, Japan had a number of royal families in it that had obtained considerable power in the nations court system. The wealthy upper class that was favored by the Emperor. Many of the people in positions were their because the Emperor had appointed the person. If the Emperor died, the next in command could change positions of the upper class members. It made things more political over all. The families, and clans, were looking for favoritism from the Emperor.
The Hierarchy went as followed, in feudalistic Japan: Emperor, Samurai, Peasants, Artisans, and Merchants. The system looked down upon the Merchants because they could not produce anything. They would sell other peoples products and not produce their own goods like a farmer would. Another thing that was looked down upon, with lesser importance, was the differance between Samurai from the rural domain and the Samurai from the urban domain. The Samurai from the urban domain were regarded as more important. They often had rank over the rural Samurai.
The people of the nation of Japan are rooted in tradition. The Feudalistic system that was used during the period was set up in a way that would keep things the way they had been and it would preserve the system that was in place. Rituals were performed throughout the year. Some Rituals were used annually, weekly, and daily. Many things were routine in the life of the Japanese, nothing was suppose to shake up the system and peace and stability were looked at in favor.
As far as the Emperor went, many people did not know he existed in those days. He would seclude, or sequester, himself from the common people. His laws would come through messengers, Usually a family member that held some sort of valued position in the Kasei, or Kokusei ( governance systems of the lords house and/or the Domanial country). One of the more off beat laws that was created was a hunting law that allowed only the Emperor to hunt and kill Cranes. The people that worked underneath the Emperor had to pray weekly, or bi weekly, to the ancestors of the Emperor. Rituals were a big part of the daily life of the people, especially people of the court. The government was focused around the needs and wants of the Emperor, a very common idea in those days ( 1600&1700's). The people would want to please him, but this did not mean that all people agreed with him. Many people followed him because they had no choice in the matter, again, as in most cases in that time period. It was not until 1889 that Japan would draft its constitution and officially move away from the "old ways" it had known.
Just like most countries that had great systems of government, Japan had a number of royal families in it that had obtained considerable power in the nations court system. The wealthy upper class that was favored by the Emperor. Many of the people in positions were their because the Emperor had appointed the person. If the Emperor died, the next in command could change positions of the upper class members. It made things more political over all. The families, and clans, were looking for favoritism from the Emperor.
The Hierarchy went as followed, in feudalistic Japan: Emperor, Samurai, Peasants, Artisans, and Merchants. The system looked down upon the Merchants because they could not produce anything. They would sell other peoples products and not produce their own goods like a farmer would. Another thing that was looked down upon, with lesser importance, was the differance between Samurai from the rural domain and the Samurai from the urban domain. The Samurai from the urban domain were regarded as more important. They often had rank over the rural Samurai.
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