The downfall of the Tokugawa shogunate was greatly affected by the formation of the Satsuma-Choshu alliance and the start of the Meiji Restoration. During the Edo period (1603 - 1688), Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate. This was the final period where “traditional” Japanese culture was prevalent. Tokugawa Ieyasu established an internally peaceful, politically and economically stable country during this time. In 1635, to obtain more control, the shogun created the daimyo (domainal lords) to rule different parts of Japan. (“Tokugawa period” 2009) The daimyo were required to reside in Edo for a certain period of time every year. This system of a semi-autonomous government lasted for over 250 years. (“Tokugawa period” 2009) The
