The year 1603 marked the beginning of the Tokugawa Era in Japan, also known as the Edo Period. The era began as Japan secluded itself for over two centuries, becoming a mystery. Yet during this period of monumental change the country’s culture flourished like never before, with great developments taking place across the arts, business, and wider Japanese culture. In 1600, Japan’s two biggest rivals, Tokugawa Ieyasu and Ishida Mitsunari, clashed at Sekigahara. Ieyasu won, eliminating his opponent, becoming Shogun, and taking over the bakufu (military government). Japan now only had one government.
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