Bakuhan refers to the historical political system in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868), characterized by the dual authority of the shogunate and the emperor. The term combines "baku," meaning military government or shogunate, and "han," referring to the domains governed by feudal lords (daimyōs). This system allowed the shogunate to maintain control over the country while the emperor remained a symbolic figurehead. The bakuhan structure played a crucial role in Japan's governance, culture, and isolationist policies during this era.
A shogunate, or bakufu, is a military dictatorship. The Shogun is the head of the government. How this government actually governed really depends on which period of the Tokugawa Bakufu you are referring to. Towards the end of the period, there was a Bakuhan system established. This basically meant that the national government (the bakufu) shared power with the individuals provinces (hans).
Isolated from the world
The leading government of Japan for most of the Edo Period was the Tokugawa Bakufu, or Shogunate. This was a military government. However, the Edo Period also saw what is known as the Bakuhan system of government. This basically meant that the rule was shared between the Bakufu and the local hans.
The bakuhan system was a political and administrative structure established in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868). It characterized a dual government system where the shogunate (military government) held power over the samurai class and regional lords (daimyō), while the emperor retained a ceremonial and symbolic role. This system allowed the shogunate to maintain control and stability over the country by balancing the interests of different feudal lords. The bakuhan system contributed to Japan's isolation and peace during the Edo period, known as the Pax Tokugawa.
Imperial restoration. Power was giving back to the Emperor, ending a centuries old government known as the "bakuhan" system.
A bakufu, or Shogunate. This was a military-led government run by a Shogun. Towards the end of the Edo (Tokugawa) period, Japan was controlled by what is known as a Bakuhan system. This meant that there was dual power held by the national government (the BAKUfu) and the local domainal governments (the HANs).
A shogunate, or bakufu, is a military dictatorship. The Shogun is the head of the government. How this government actually governed really depends on which period of the Tokugawa Bakufu you are referring to. Towards the end of the period, there was a Bakuhan system established. This basically meant that the national government (the bakufu) shared power with the individuals provinces (hans).
Isolated from the world
The leading government of Japan for most of the Edo Period was the Tokugawa Bakufu, or Shogunate. This was a military government. However, the Edo Period also saw what is known as the Bakuhan system of government. This basically meant that the rule was shared between the Bakufu and the local hans.