Tokyo during Edo period saw significant changes that influenced the course of Japanese history. The Edo period in Japan commenced in the latter half of the 16th century with the advent of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Tokugawa Ieyasu was a brilliant military strategist who with his shrewd statesmanship was able to remove his opponents and assume power. His descendants continued to rule Japan for the next two hundred and fifty years.
Edo literally meaning 'mouth if the estuary', was current day Tokyo. Edo was a marshy desolate village acquired and developed by Tokugawa. After acquiring eight provinces around Edo, this Japanese shogun reclaimed land to develop the marshy region. Subsequently, he built conduits for channeling fresh water into Edo, and constructed a castle with moat.
Edo Period political setup
The Edo period from 1603 to 1867 was an era of political stability. All policies of governance were forced upon the people by the shogunate government under the shogun. The daimyos or feudal lords lost their importance as the shoguns grew in power. They were forced to stay under the watchful eye of the shogunate in Edo for a definite period every alternate year. There were about 270 daimyos in Japan during the 17th century, and most of them owned mansions in Edo. For protection, daimyos appointed samurai warriors.
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The daimyos were forced to leave their families behind in their Edo houses while visiting their agricultural provinces.
Society in Edo Period
Japanese society during the Edo period was divided into four definite classes. These four classes in order of importance were the samurai or the warriors, the farmers, the craftsmen, and the merchants. The samurai warriors were allowed to carry two swords at a time. The merchants were housed in rows of low wooden houses constructed in narrow alleys having open sewers. Family homes typically consisted of a 100 square feet bedroom and a kitchen cum lobby. Almost all houses during Edo period were constructed of wood.
In the Edo period, prostitution was considered lawful and the Yoshiwara, came to be the haven of flesh trade. Many of the prostitutes were refined courtesans but once a girl entered the trade, she became a prisoner to this profession. It was much later, in the 20th century, that the Yoshiwara was totally shut down due to legal actions taken against prostitution.
Tokyo during Edo period witnessed the emergence of Kabuki drama form. Also the art of elaborately fabricated silk kimono and brocades, delicately designed porcelain, stone and lacquer ware flourished during this period.
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