Tokugawa Shogunate

Definition

The Tokugawa Shogunate was a feudal regime ruled by Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu established in Edo (now Tokyo) which lasted from 1603 until 1868.

Analogy

Imagine if your school principal had all power over school rules, activities, curriculum - everything! That's similar to how much control the Tokugawa Shogunate had over Japan during its reign.

Related terms

Feudalism: A hierarchical system where lords grant land to vassals (samurais) in exchange for their loyalty and service.

Isolationism: A policy adopted by Tokugawa shogunate where foreign influence was minimized by controlling foreign trade & banning Christianity.

Daimyo: They were powerful Japanese feudal lords who ruled most of Japan from their vast, hereditary land holdings under the Tokugawa shogunate.