Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: Sankinkotai

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French version

Sankinkotai

参勤交代
alternative words: Sankin kotai, Sankinkoutai, Sankin koutai
keywords: law
related topics: Edo shogunate , Daimyo , Edo period , Buke shohatto , Edo
related web sites: http://www.wnn.or.jp/wnn-tokyo/edo/sankin/sankin1.html , http://www.iwatanet.com/mitsuke/400/daimyo/mame.html , http://www.pref.aichi.jp/dourokensetsu/tokaido/untiku/5230.html , http://www.tecnet.or.jp/hakone/ha0104k0.htm , http://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/muse/rekihaku/kasou/daimyo.html
explanation: During Edo period, in order to control strictly each daimyo, Edo shogunate forced them to travel every year between their feuds and Edo (actual Tokyo) while their wives and heirs had to live permanently in Edo. Though a similar system had already existed in Sengoku period, the shogunate institutionalized it under "Buke shohatto" law in 1615. It happened also to be a very ruinous practice because some daimyo had to travel with a cortege of more than 1000 followers during 1 month.