Japanese Culture and Institutions 
The Tokugawa:  The Chronology

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Dates for the Tokugawa

Dates are not the fascinating aspects of the evolution of history.   But it is essential that students know the chronology of events.  A simple date chart can help the reader keep the flow of events in their proper perspective.

1543 Portuguese Reach Japan
1549 St Francis Xavier Lands at Kyushu
1568-1600 Period of Unification
1568-1615 Momoyama
1614 Persecution of the Christians
1630 Japan Closed to Foreigners
1688-1700 Genroku
1716-1736 Kyoho Reforms
1789-1791 Kaisei Reforms
1833-1836 Famine
1837 Osaka Uprising
1841-1843 Mizuno Takakuni
1853 Perry's Arrival
1858-1860 Ii Naosuke
1868-1873 Meiji (First Phase)

The most popular paintings during the Edo period were the people and adventures of the "Floating World."--  an idealized world of free love, sexual independence, alcohol, gambling, and brothels.  The pleasure quarter was isolated by a moat.  The geishas were trained to please their patrons.