ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Tokugawa period

The Tokugawa period was a time in Japan that lasted from 1603 to 1868. It was named after the Tokugawa family, who were powerful leaders during this time.

During this period, Japan was ruled by a shogun, who was like a king or emperor. The shogun had lots of power, but they were also supported by powerful samurai warriors.

During the Tokugawa period, Japan became very isolated from the rest of the world. This means that they didn't really talk to or trade with other countries very much. Instead, they focused on keeping their own culture and traditions very strong.

One big change during this time was the creation of a new social class system. People were put into different groups based on their job or family background. At the top were samurai warriors, followed by farmers, artisans, and then merchants.

The Tokugawa period was also a time of peace and stability in Japan. There were no big wars or battles, and people could focus on their daily lives. This led to a lot of cultural and artistic development, with things like kabuki theater and ukiyo-e prints becoming very popular.

However, not everyone was happy during this time. The lower classes of society often struggled and didn't have many rights. Women, in particular, were very limited in what they could do and often had to obey strict rules about how they dressed and behaved.

Overall, the Tokugawa period was an important time in Japanese history that helped shape the country as we know it today.