Introduction to Japanese Culture

Japan : The Close Country and Tea Culture

As the leading representation of economic power in the Asian region , the Japanese nation has made itself known to progress to modernity with its traditions visibly alive and practiced . Throughout the course of its history , Japan experienced drastic changes under the policies implemented by the different ruling government . Among these policies include the Isolation era or Sakoku , which have been vital in the development of the modern Japanese state . Basically the seclusion of Japan during the Tokugawa Period (1633-1853 ) limited the country in terms

of foreign relations and has forbidden any foreign interactions and acceptance within the Japanese land . This policy of isolation can be considered as part of Japan 's intention to establish a new international in East Asia , with Japan at its center , than to seal the country off permanently from all but minimal ties with the outside world . Though this policy has been implemented , Japan still maintained limited commercial and foreign relations with Korea , Holland , and the Netherlands

Prior to the seclusion , Japan did enjoy trade and diplomatic relations from a number of foreign countries . The isolation has been mostly specified against western foreigners . The Dutch practically dominated and monopolized the western relation with Japan and from this , other Westerners - British and Russians - arrived in Japan to compete with the Dutch . The new foreign visitors confused the Japanese with same physical attributes and did not comply with the foreign policies like what the Dutch did , and this may have...