9. The Tokugawa Shogunate and Japan’s Isolation (1603-1868)
The Tokugawa Shogunate ushered in an era of peace and strict isolation known as sakoku. By limiting foreign contact, Japan preserved its traditions and cultivated a distinct culture, from ukiyo-e art to the samurai code. While this approach fostered internal stability, it also delayed technological advancement and modernization compared to neighboring powers.
