Question

document 2: closed country edict of 1635
the following is an excerpt from the closed country edict of 1635 issued by the tokugawa shoguns over japan. this set of laws would last for 200 years and continued to affect japan long after the tokugawa shogunate had ended.

1. japanese ships are strictly forbidden to leave for foreign countries.
2. no japanese is permitted to go abroad. if there is anyone who attempts to do so secretly, he must be executed. the ship so involved must be impounded and its owner arrested, and the matter must be reported to the higher authority.
3. if any japanese returns from overseas after residing there, he must be put to death.
4. if there is any place where the teachings of the catholic priests are practiced, the two of you must order a thorough investigation.
5. any informer revealing the whereabouts of the followers of the priests must be rewarded accordingly. if anyone reveals the whereabouts of a high - ranking priest, he must be given one hundred pieces of silver. for those lower ranks, depending on the deed, the reward must be set accordingly.
6. if there are any southern barbarians westerners who propagate spread the teachings of the priests, or otherwise commit crimes, they may be incarcerated in the prison...
7. samurai are not permitted to purchase any goods originating from foreign ships directly from chinese merchants in nagasaki...
8. how do you think the laws in the edict of 1635 affected the development of japan? what might be some unintended consequences of these laws?
9. which one of the laws listed above do you feel was the most harsh? explain your opinion.

Explanation:

For question 8, the laws in the 1635 Edict isolated Japan, limiting foreign - trade and cultural exchange, which initially maintained stability but also hindered technological and social progress. Unintended consequences could include a false sense of security and a widening gap with the industrializing Western world. For question 9, the law that executes Japanese who return from overseas after residing there is extremely harsh as it cuts off any possibility of repatriation and shows extreme xenophobia and lack of leniency.

Answer:

1. The laws limited foreign contact, initially brought stability but hindered long - term progress. Unintended consequences: false security, gap with the West.
2. The law executing returning Japanese is most harsh as it shows extreme xenophobia and no leniency.