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๐ŸŽŽhistory of japan review

National Seclusion Policy

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025

Definition

The national seclusion policy, known as 'Sakoku' in Japanese, was a foreign relations policy implemented by the Tokugawa shogunate in the 17th century that effectively isolated Japan from the rest of the world. This policy restricted trade and interaction with foreign nations, allowing limited contact primarily through designated ports, aiming to preserve Japanese culture and maintain political stability while controlling foreign influence.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The Sakoku policy was formally enacted in 1635, prohibiting Japanese citizens from traveling abroad and forbidding foreigners from entering Japan except for specific Dutch and Chinese traders.
  2. Under this policy, trade was restricted to only two locations: Nagasaki for foreign merchants and a small number of designated ports for select foreign nations.
  3. The main goal of the national seclusion policy was to prevent the spread of Christianity and Western influence, which were viewed as threats to the social order and stability of Japan.
  4. During this period of isolation, Japan developed its unique culture, art, and society, leading to significant advancements in areas like literature and visual arts.
  5. The Sakoku policy remained in effect until Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival in 1853, which ultimately pressured Japan to open its borders and end its isolation.

Review Questions

  • How did the national seclusion policy shape Japan's interaction with foreign nations during the Tokugawa period?
    • The national seclusion policy significantly limited Japan's interaction with foreign nations by allowing only a select few, primarily the Dutch and Chinese, to engage in trade through specific ports. This isolation helped Japan maintain control over foreign influences while preserving its cultural identity. The strict regulations also meant that Japanese citizens could not travel abroad, further solidifying Japan's separation from global developments.
  • Evaluate the cultural impacts of the Sakoku policy on Japanese society during the Edo period.
    • The Sakoku policy led to a unique cultural development within Japan as it limited external influences. Without foreign interaction, Japanese art, literature, and traditional practices flourished independently. This isolation allowed for a focus on internal growth, leading to distinctive developments such as Ukiyo-e woodblock prints and Kabuki theater. The absence of outside ideas contributed to a strong sense of national identity and cultural pride among the Japanese people.
  • Analyze how the national seclusion policy contributed to Japan's eventual transformation when it reopened to the world in the mid-19th century.
    • The national seclusion policy created a situation where Japan developed internally without outside influences for over two centuries. However, this prolonged isolation made Japan unprepared for Western advancements when Commodore Perry arrived in 1853. The stark contrast between Japan's traditional society and Western technological progress catalyzed significant reforms during the Meiji Restoration, leading to rapid modernization and industrialization. This transformation reshaped Japan into a major world power while also sparking discussions about national identity and cultural preservation in an increasingly interconnected global landscape.