Sakoku

Definition

Sakoku was a policy of national isolation implemented by Japan from the early 17th century until the mid-19th century, effectively closing the country off from foreign influence and trade. This policy aimed to eliminate Western colonialism and protect Japanese culture, allowing only limited contact with select foreign nations under strict regulations. The term reflects a significant period in Japan's history that shaped its development and interactions with the rest of the world.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sakoku restricted foreign trade and prohibited Japanese citizens from traveling abroad, with severe penalties for those who attempted to do so.
2. Under sakoku, Japan maintained limited trade relations primarily with the Dutch and Chinese, allowing for some exchange of goods and ideas while largely isolating itself from Western influence.
3. The policy was established under Tokugawa Ieyasu, aiming to prevent Christianity and Western ideologies from taking root in Japan.
4. Sakoku lasted for over 200 years until it was effectively dismantled by Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival in 1853, leading to Japan's opening to international trade.
5. The isolationist policies during sakoku contributed to a unique development of Japanese art, culture, and society, distinct from Western influences during this period.

Review Questions

• How did the sakoku policy influence Japan's cultural development during the Edo Period?
  • The sakoku policy had a profound impact on Japan's cultural development during the Edo Period by allowing for a stable environment where traditional arts and practices could flourish without outside interference. With limited foreign influence, Japanese culture evolved uniquely, leading to significant advancements in literature, theater, and visual arts. Additionally, this isolation allowed for the preservation of indigenous practices and ideologies that might have been altered or diminished through external interactions.
• Discuss the role of the Dutch East India Company within the context of sakoku and its influence on Japanese foreign relations.
  • The Dutch East India Company played a crucial role during the sakoku period as it was one of the few entities granted permission to conduct trade with Japan. This limited interaction allowed for a controlled exchange of knowledge and goods while keeping more disruptive Western influences at bay. The company operated primarily through Dejima, an artificial island where Dutch traders were confined, representing a unique balance between isolation and select international engagement that influenced Japan's understanding of global dynamics.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of sakoku on Japan's modernization after the Meiji Restoration.
  • The long-term effects of sakoku on Japan's modernization were significant following the Meiji Restoration. The period of isolation allowed Japan to develop a cohesive national identity without external pressures but also resulted in a technological and industrial gap when it opened up in the mid-19th century. As a result, during the Meiji era, Japan rapidly adopted Western technologies and administrative practices to catch up with industrialized nations. This transformation laid the foundation for Japan's emergence as a major global power in the early 20th century.

Related terms

Edo Period: The Edo Period was the time frame in Japan from 1603 to 1868 when the Tokugawa shogunate ruled, marked by economic growth, stability, and cultural flourishing under sakoku.

Dutch East India Company: A major trading company that had exclusive rights to trade with Japan during the sakoku period, primarily through the island of Dejima, reflecting Japan's limited foreign engagement.

Meiji Restoration:

A political revolution in 1868 that ended the Edo Period and sakoku, leading to rapid modernization and westernization of Japan.