Tokugawa+Period+Travel

In the Tokugawa period (1603-1868). This period was known as the "Great Peace". Also, the shogunate in Edo -modern day Tokyo- issued and enforced social laws which were based on Confucian ideals. Travel in this period was very costly for daimyo. They were required to travel from their domains to Edo every other year to pay thier respects to the shogun and leave their families in Edo, in which this was called the "alternate attendance" in order to keep peace and control over daimyo's power and wealth. Because of the traveling back and forth between their homes and Edo, ended up impoverishing the daimyo especially because of the samurai attendants. This image shows daimyo crossing over the Yahagi River towards the village and castle far up ahead.



Movement of daimyo required a network of highways and waterways linking main cities Edo, Kyoto, and Osaka. The Tokugawa government maintained 5 major highways, one being the Tokaido Road which linked the ancient capital Kyoto with the new capital Edo. In this image, it's showing merchants and samurai crossing over one of the bridges in Nihonbashi. Alot of people, epecially commoners traveled often during this time period because of the high demands of craftspeople, skilled builders, and courtesans to provie service for the daimyo. Also, because of goods and agriculture, even Japan's culture interested and attracted commoners.