How did Iemitsu's rule change from Ieyasu's and influence Japan?
The next important ruler to the Shogunate was Iemitsu Tokugawa who became Shogun in 1633. He was the grandson of Ieyasu and was very respectful of Ieyasu. He would use any means to achieve what his grandfather wanted.
Iemitsu tried to emulate grandfather but he was a lot more severe. He summoned the Daimyos to his castle, making them wait all day in the cold with no shelter. He told them that they must be his subjects and serve him and if they disobeyed their area would be attacked. He told them his expectations very early on. He made his younger brother kill himself. He dealt with competition using fear and punishment, rather than rewards. |
Perhaps what Iemitsu is most famous for is his "alternate attendance" system. The
‘alternate attendance’ system was that every six months the Daimyos and their Samurais must march with their samurai armies and spend time in Edo. This meant that three quarters of the Daimyo’s money would be wasted on the movement. In the other half of the year, their family was held in hostage so that they would have to return. This benefits traders on the side of the road because so many people travel around Japan needing food and supplies. This system also meant that there were many Samurai who only knew Edo, even though their home area was somewhere else. The samurais became administrators and lost their warrior status. The other action which Iemitsu is famous for is his persecution of Christians. Iemitsu was worried that the missionaries would convert his people into believing that there was a God higher than Shogun and make them think that everyone should be equal. Commoners were rewarded for turning in Christians. The Christians were burned, for not converting to Shinto, even little children. Iemitsu was very paranoid about Christianity. However, the people were happy to die for their Christian God rather than convert. |
Iemitsu made a radical decision which would remain in place for 200 years. Iemitsu decided to cut off Japan and isolate it. He banished all foreigners as they were the cause of the trouble and preserve Japanese culture and no Japanese could leave or return to Japan. He destroyed ships and forbid any European ship. The Dutch were allowed to come and go but under strict restrictions. In two years’ time Portuguese came. Iemitsu killed them and burned the ship. A couple of survivors when back to Portugal with the message that no one could go there and come back alive.