What happened between the time of the closure of Japan and its reopening is still very much unknown. We study everything that happened before, and we are quite familiar with everything from the Meiji Restoration to the present. But who were Tokugawa shoguns? Why did they rule for such a long time, and what provided them with the ability to do so? Also, what changed so that they were overthrown by samurai, so that a new form of government could rule?

Japan has had many rulers, some of who were shoguns, many of whom have risen only to fall soon after.  Where many "great generals", or shoguns, were overthrown and defeated, one shougunate lasted for more than two and a half centuries.  The Tokugawa Shougunate was the longest period of uninterrupted peace Japan ever enjoyed.  The brilliant and ruthless administration of the countrycombined with its seclusion allowed for the flowering of Japanese culture in an extraordinary way.

For more information:

• Please see the bibliography.