Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: Sakoku

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French version

Sakoku

鎖国
alternative words: National seclusion, National seclusion policy
keywords: law
related topics: Edo shogunate , Commodore Perry , Kanagawa treaty , Dejima , Siebold , Rangaku
related web sites: http://www3.justnet.ne.jp/~nibc/nagasaki.html
explanation: Foreign policy of Edo shogunate between 1639 and 1853. It consists of banning the commerce with Portuguese and Spaniards, and Christian missionary work. It banned also a foreign travel of Japanese. Chinese and Hollanders were allowed to trade with Japanese only in Deshima island at Nagasaki. This law not enumerating the authorized countries, it provoked a discontent when Russians arrived in 19th century but it is an American, Commodore Perry who broke up the law in 1853.