Tokugawa Economy

Interpretation of Tokugawa Economy

Old view

Stagnant economy and society

Secluded and repressive feudal government

Western influence explains modern economic development

Newer view

Groundwork for modern economic development originated in Tokugawa

What is Gordon's view of the Tokugawa economy?

Increased Agricultural Production

Arable land almost doubled

Reclamation

Irrigation

Productivity increases

Tools

Hoe, sickle,

Commercial fertilizer

Oil cakes, dried fish, night soil

Herring meal industry in Hokkaidō, 18th c.

Farming activities

Plowing

Transplanting Rice Seedlings

Removing Insects

Rice Harvest

Threshing rice

Going to market

Population growth

12 million, 1600

32 million, 1730-1860

Debate on leveling of population

Limitations on resources

Arable land at maximum

Foreign trade limited

Epidemics, famines

Infanticide

Desire for improved living standard

Late marriage

Infanticide

Growing urbanism

10% urban population, 1700

15-20% urban population, 1800

Castle vs. market towns

Market economy

Changes in handicraft industry

Move to countryside, 18th c.

Lower wages, less govt regulation

Early capitalism or proto-industrialization?

Farming-weaving households

Weaving specialists

Putting-out system

20% of agri production for market, mid-19th c.

Cotton

Silk

Benefits

Growing incomes

Drawbacks

Market price fluctuations

Concentration of land in villages

Social dislocation as a result of economic growth

Peasant protest

2809 peasant disturbances

1590 to 1867 (10/year)

Petitions to government

Early Tokugawa/Periphery

Natural disasters

Intra-village solidarity

Violence against merchants and rich villagers

Late Tokugawa/Core

Market fluctuations and dislocations

Intra-village conflict

Samurai hurt economically

Fixed stipends of rice

Market fluctuations