Segunat- is one of the most important periods in the history of Japan from the Middle Ages and Modern Times.In the second millennium there were several Japanese Shogunate, each of which contributed to the formation of the modern country of the rising sun.
Causes and spiritual foundation of the shogunate Minamoto
As you know, eager to change the society in which there is no stability.In recent decades, the main characteristic of the reign of political events in the country has become a feudal disunity.The lack of centralization and unity leads to severe economic consequences and frequent military riots that just ruined the already unstable Japan.The main reasons for changes in the political system became:
- feudal fragmentation;
- lack of strong economic ties between the regions;
- weakening of the power of the emperor.
first Shogunate existed from 1192 to 1335.Changes in the life of the country with the increasing influence of the teachings of Zen Buddhism.This doctrine gradually became widespread among the military circles.This compound is a religious foundation and military power of the samurai has led to an understanding of these circles that they should govern.Samurai had a significant impact on the development of Japan.
Shogunate - a period of significant change in Japan
Before the start of the XIII century the level of development of the country remains extremely low.This stagnation would continue and further, if not there was a change in the thinking of some members of the military-feudal aristocracy, who came to power at the end of the XII century.
What changes have taken place after the arrival of the shoguns?Note that immediately life has not improved, because it is simply impossible.At that time, as now, a lot depended on the activity of trading.In the context of the many islands and a small area of land trade could be successful only if the development of the fleet.The most important achievement was the development of shoguns port cities, an increase in the merchant fleet.For example, in the XI century there were only 40 more or less large cities, and in the XVI century, the number of cities approached 300.
Epoch shogunate - is flourishing crafts.It is known that in medieval Europe existed handicraft shop.Masters, who joined the department could operate successfully.So here we are gradually began to form associations of artisans.Similar associations were formed among the trade.It is clear that conduct business with reliable partners, so the effect of the formation of such unions was obvious.
undoubted achievements of the epoch of the first shogunate was overcome feudal disunity.The main type of land tenure in the country have become small samurai allotments, which they received for military service.
reasons for the revival of the shogunate in the XVII century, the Tokugawa shogunate
- a reaction of traditional Japanese society events in the country in the mid-second half of the XVI century.The second coming of the samurai to power had its logical reasons:
- continuation of feudal fragmentation;
- slowing economic development of the country;
- emergence of European vehicles and the gradual development of trade with Portugal and other European countries.
most important and painful for the Samurai theme was the appearance of alien elements (Europeans), which came into contact with the well-established for centuries a traditional society that have maintained close contacts with similar culture of China and Korea.Historians believe that the establishment of contacts with Europe was a logical impetus to intensify the struggle for the creation of a centralized strong government.
Japan in XVII-XIX centuries
Epoch shogunate - is a manifestation of absolutism in Japan.Of course, do not forget about the existence of the imperial dynasty, but the power of these persons was a spiritual rather than secular.Mode shogunate created a "closed" state.The Japanese ports were forbidden to enter the European ships.If all of a sudden such a ship was in port, the crew was subject to penalty.This isolation lasted for 250 years, until the middle of the XIX century.
If we talk about briefly Tokugawa Shogunate, this period of total pressure on the peasantry.Formally serfdom in the country was not, but many peasant land still belonged to the great feudal lords.Various taxes, levies from the peasants, who were officially introduced, is about 60% of the crop.
system classes
Shogunate - a system of government that was supposed to keep the old traditional system.The state introduced a class system.The population was divided into 4 groups: farmers, artisans, samurais, merchants.The main objective of this division: the preservation of the existing at the time the social order, when the power of the shogun and privileged position of the samurai had seen undeniable.
merchants considered the lowest estate, but really it was more successful than the peasants and artisans.The city continued to develop.At that time, Japan had more than 300 cities and towns.The basis for the development of the city was an active trade between the islands and with nearby countries (China, Korea), as well as a large number of handicraft associations.
