History

When the last of Japan’s three great unifiers, Tokugawa Ieyasu, came to power, he had a problem. His predecessors, Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, had both failed to establish a lasting regime that could endure after their deaths. In 1603, Ieyasu created the Edo bakufu—also known as the Tokugawa Shogunate—to legitimize his rule. Thus the …

The Bakufu-Han System: Feudal Government Structure in Edo Period Japan Read More »

In Japan, the arrival of spring brings forth an enchanting spectacle that captivates both locals and visitors alike—the blooming of cherry blossoms. These delicate flowers, known as “sakura,” hold a deep-rooted significance in Japanese culture and history. They bloom for only a short time, often for as little as 14 days. During that period, the …

Cherry Blossom Symbolism in Japanese Culture Read More »

Yagyu Jubei Mitsuyoshi was a samurai who lived in Japan’s Edo period. He lived from 1607 to April 21, 1650, and is often depicted in modern and contemporary accounts with a single eye. It’s unknown how he lost the eye, or if he actually did. In fact, very little is known about his life for …

Yagyu Jubei: Japan’s One-Eyed Samurai Folk Hero Read More »

The word “Shogun” comes from the Japanese word “Seii Taishogun”, which roughly translates to “barbarian-quelling general”. These military dictators reigned over Japan from 1192 to 1868. Historically, the Shogun was legally under the control of the Emperor and had limited authority over the military forces in Japan. However, due to the increasingly feudal development of …

The Shogun: Japan’s Military Takeover Read More »