In 1853, four American warships arrived in Edo Bay in Japan.

These ships were led by Commodore Matthew Perry. At this

time, Japan had been closed off from the rest of the world for 265
years by the order of the Shogun, a period known as the
Tokugawa Isolation. This was primarily because the traders who
used the Japanese ports tried to convert the Japanese
population to Christianity and other religions, which removed their
faith in the Shogun.

Perry delivered a letter from the American president, requesting

for Japanese harbours to be opened to international boats for
trade. When he arrived he tried to intimidate the Japanese by
firing blanks. The current Shogun was ill which left the decision
up to the governing council. At first, they refused, but Perry
threatened to bring 100 ships and destroy Edo Bay. The council
quickly changed their mind and this change was overseen by the
new emperor, who was very young.

The introduction of western culture to Japan changed many

things, the biggest being the social hierarchy.

Before the Americans arrived, Japan followed feudalism and had

a very strict social structure.

At the top sat the Emperor. He was a figurehead and the real
power belonged to the shogun.

Next came the Shogun, the leader of the military. During the
period of isolation, the Shogun essentially ran Japan. They
appointed Daimyo and gave them land. The Shogun also made
the laws and rules of the country.
The Daimyo were local rulers during the Tokugawa period. They
were sworn in and given land by the Shogun. The Daimyo
controlled the Samurai. They were also in charge of regulating
the rules and laws made by the Shogun.

Three types of Daimyo existed in Japan, Tozama, Fudai and

Shinpan. These were based on the Daimyo’s loyalty to the
Shogun.

The samurai followed the Daimyo. They were highly trained

warriors and made up the military. Samurai followed the rules of
bushido. They each had a specific Daimyo that they followed and
would become Ronin if their Daimyo died or banished them.
Ronin were Samurai whose Daimyo master had died or had been
disowned by their master. They usually became wanderers and
mercenaries.

The peasants worked the Daimyo’s land and paid the Daimyo tax
in crops. They were mainly farmers but some were fishermen.

At the bottom of the social structure were Merchants and

Craftsmen, who were shunned due to not being useful and
valuing money, which went against the ideals of the main
religions, Shinto, Buddhism and Confucianism, in Japan at the
time.

After the Americans arrived, the social structure began to

change, and the lines between the classes began to blur.
The main difference was the fall of the Shogunate. Soon after the
arrival of the Americans, the Emperor regained his power and the
Shogun lost most of his. The new Emperor was young and
brought many good changes to Japan, such as universal
education and the construction of national transportation and
communication systems.

Another major difference was the decline of the power of the

Daimyo and Samurai. Both of these classes gained their value
through the reign of the Shogun, but after the Emperor took over,
they both lost their standing in society.

Other differences in the social structure included, Craftsmen and

Merchants becoming more valued in society, former Daimyo and
Samurai families becoming Merchants and Craftsmen, creating
Zaibatsu and Peasants owning their land instead of the Daimyo.
The changes made to the social hierarchy were beneficial to
Japanese society. One main example of a positive effect of this
change is the conversion of Samurai families to Merchants and
Craftsmen after the Daimyo-Samurai relationship dissolved.
Many of these families now have major businesses in Japan and
around the world. These large companies help the economy in
Japan and bring in tourists.

Another example of a positive effect on Japan is the removal of

the Samurai as the main military power in Japan. This allowed
the introduction of the western-style military which greatly
boosted Japan’s defence and offence in war.

This style of military removed the control of parts military from

individuals (Daimyo) and created one singular united army. The
western-style military didn’t rely on hierarchy for soldiers,
meaning more people joined the army, regardless of their
standing in society.

Ultimately the influence of Western culture greatly improved the

Japanese social hierarchy and society.