Japanese history (Tokugawa Bakufu) - Essay Example

Japanese history (Tokugawa Bakufu Which country in the contemporary world is the most technologically advanced? Japan is undoubtedly leader of theworld in the scientific research. In addition to that, Japan is also one such country that has maintained centuries old cultural traits as such until today. Japanese traditional customs coexist with the technological boom. Moreover, Japanese culture is quite rich. Japan is particularly known for her food, the royalty of Samurai, sexuality and unique standards of ethics for both men and women.

In order to study this rich culture in detail, it is imperative that we begin from the Edo period (now Tokyo) because most of the Japanese culture was introduced in the 18th century by the government of Tokugawa Bukufu. Tokugawa Bakufu had indeed, exercised the most powerful administration in the whole history of Japan. Therefore, Bakufu has had a big influence on the contemporary Japanese economy, society and culture. The government of Bakufu needed to maintain a very strong national identity specially because before it had come into being, Japan was going through a process of national unification for a long time.

Thus, the people of Japan had long been under the control of coercion regulation and also, the social level was strictly distinguished during Edo period. Common people, of course, couldn’t approach politics or reality, so they’d probably focus on fantasy or lewdness in order to have room to breathe. Chonin emerged as a reaction of the tension against the severe society during the Edo time. Chonin was a social class that shaped common people and merchants in such a way that they played a key role in the development of such Japanese cultural outcomes as Ukiyoe, Kabuki, and literature.

The things they created started to be considered as part of the Japanese culture and were eventually harmonized with the policy of the government. The very harmonized culture is deeply linked with the contemporary Japanese culture and Japanese thought, art and literature. This is where the roots of contemporary Japanese culture can be found. Edo was one of the biggest and quite well developed capital city in the time when Tokugawa Bukufu had full control over Japan. Sankin Kotai system could be the reason behind the significant growth of the city.

Basically it was a governmental policy to control the powerful territorial lords. They had to periodically come to Edo with all the subordinate samurai, while their wives and children had to remain as a hostage, so that they would spend money on coming to the capital city, and not on the rebellion. However, because of the increase in population, economy gained strength and many merchants came to Edo. Therefore, in the city, more than half of the population was of males. Men had moved from their homes in large numbers in order to adopt the profession of merchandise.

As a result of this, men outnumbered the women. Therefore, the government established a licensed brothel into a particular area of Edo city to prevent sexual crime. That brothel was called as Yoshiwara quarter and visiting the quarter was one of the most favorite means of time pass for men. It is also interesting to note that many contemporary Japanese foods were created in the Edo period for men. Foods like sushi, tempura and unagi donburi were fast to eat at the snack bar, for example. Many women who were expert dancers and singers crowded the Japanese streets in search of customers.

Crowd could always be noticed in the Kabuki Theater and the tea house. After all the amusement, the customers and audience would go to home and draw and write all that they had seen or felt. This developed the entertainment sector and naturally, it started to be considered as a culture in the later Edo period. All the entertainment, culture and policy harmonized then has had a big influence on the contemporary Japanese culture. Therefore, Edo period in which Tokugawa Bukufu was in control, is unquestionably impressive not only because of its policy, but also because it is connected with the contemporary Japanese culture.

Finally, Japan is known as a powerful country nowadays. This might be due to the fact that Japanese people have take pride in their traditional culture and customs .