why did Tokugawa Japan turn to isolationism?

Question

what provoked them to close the country and become isolated?

Answer 1

I love answering this question, especially since it is really misunderstood. The period of "isolation" is generally referred to in Japanese as sankoku or "closed country." This period spanned most of the Tokugawa or Edo Period (1600-1867). After the battle of sekigahara in 1600 Tokugawa Ieyasu was able to bring Japan under his control. The Japanese had been engaged to this point in trade largely with the Portuguese, where silver was largely exported for Chinese silk and other commodities.

From 1600-1640 both the English and Dutch arrive to try to set up trade negations with Japan similar to Portugal. The Spanish also arrive, but their legacy is less remembered. The English only exist for a period of 10 years and in 1639 the Portuguese are basically expelled as well. The Dutch were moved from their factory, basically a warehouse, to a small man made islands in Nagasaki harbor call Deshima. Dejima is another pronouciation, but most modern scholars use Deshima. Those that do use Dejima are actually petty old sources

The expulsion of the Portuguese and the call for closed country was basically a way for the Tokugawa government to control what was happening in the country. Jesuits brought by the Portuguese were busy converting people and a Christian rebellion in 1639 forced Tokugawa Iemitsu, grandson of Ieyasu, to expel all Christians and with them the Portuguese. The Dutch stayed as they did not see religious conversion as part of their missions, unlike the Catholic Portuguese.

However, Japan is only in reality isolated to the Western world. During this time there is a huge influx of Confucian scholars from China lecturing on the significance of the Confucian order. A large number of Koreans immigrate to Japan and develop a local porcelain industry. This argument is better made and clearer in Ronald Toby's book State and Diplomacy in Early Modern Japan.

This is an important part of the history as Japan is able to keep a high level of physical well-being equal or better then that of the West, which helps to prepare them for the technological advances they will import after Japan is open in the Meiji period.

Answer 2

It was because outside influences were seen as a threat to the status quo by the bakufu. The main problem was that Jesuit missionaries involved themselves in politics. Some daimyo feigned interest in Christianity in order to get the Portuguese to sell them guns. It wasn't the Christian faith itself that was such a big issue, it was the intrigues that the missionaries got mixed up in. Hence the Dutch were allowed to continue trading at Dejima, with the understanding that they would stick to trade only.

Answer 3

During the isolation, domestic trade and agricultural production improved in Japan. During the Edo period and especially during the Genroku era (1688 - 1703), popular culture flourished. New art forms like "kabuki" and "ukiyo-e" became very popular especially among the townspeople. The isolation led to a promotion of Japanese nationalism, and a growth from within the country itself.

Answer 4

Because of christianity....Japanese lords couldn't have their peasants giving their loyalty to Jesus over himself.