Sakoku

Definition

Sakoku, meaning 'closed country,' refers to the policy of national isolation that Japan implemented from the early 17th century to the mid-19th century. This period saw Japan limiting foreign influence, restricting trade to a few select nations, and prohibiting Japanese citizens from traveling abroad. Sakoku was significant in shaping Japan's cultural, social, and political landscape during this time, as it helped preserve traditional Japanese culture while simultaneously creating a unique environment that would later influence Japan’s modernization.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sakoku was officially established in 1635 under Tokugawa Iemitsu, limiting foreign trade primarily to the Dutch and Chinese at Nagasaki.
2. During sakoku, Japanese citizens were forbidden from leaving the country, and those who attempted to do so faced severe penalties, including execution.
3. The policy contributed to a flourishing of domestic culture, as art forms like ukiyo-e (woodblock printing) and kabuki theater developed in isolation from Western influences.
4. Despite its isolationist stance, Japan maintained limited engagement with foreign countries, allowing for the importation of knowledge in medicine, science, and technology through Dutch Learning.
5. The end of sakoku came with the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry's American fleet in 1853, which pressured Japan to open its ports to international trade.

Review Questions

• How did sakoku impact Japan's internal culture during the Edo period?
  • Sakoku allowed Japan to develop a rich internal culture without external influences. The isolation fostered unique art forms such as ukiyo-e and kabuki theater, which thrived in this closed environment. Additionally, literature and philosophy also flourished, reflecting the values and traditions of Japanese society at that time.
• Evaluate the effects of sakoku on Japan's interactions with foreign nations during its implementation.
  • While sakoku severely restricted foreign interactions, Japan still engaged selectively with foreign nations. The Dutch were permitted limited trade at Nagasaki, which allowed for some exchange of knowledge through Dutch Learning. This selective engagement provided Japan with insights into Western technology and medicine while maintaining overall isolation from broader foreign influences.
• Assess the significance of the end of sakoku in relation to Japan's modernization during the Meiji Restoration.
  • The end of sakoku marked a pivotal shift for Japan as it opened its borders to global trade and influence. The pressures from Western powers led to significant changes that facilitated rapid modernization during the Meiji Restoration. This transformation included adopting Western technologies and political systems while preserving essential aspects of Japanese culture, ultimately shaping Japan into a modern state that could stand alongside Western nations.

Related terms

Edo Period: The historical period in Japan from 1603 to 1868, characterized by the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate, economic stability, and cultural flourishing.

Dutch Learning: The study of Western knowledge and sciences in Japan during the sakoku period, primarily through Dutch books and traders who were allowed limited access.

Meiji Restoration: The political revolution in 1868 that ended the Tokugawa shogunate and restored imperial rule, leading to significant modernization and westernization in Japan.