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Chapter VIII
Signs of Change Behind the Feudal Façade
Despite the best efforts of the Tokugawa to prevent any change that might undermine their safely isolated political system, it was, of course, impossible to stop all natural processes of evolution and growth within Japanese society. Outward political forms were relatively simple to maintain, but the internal working of the society and economy could not be held to a rigidly unchanging pattern. During the sixteenth century, Japanese society and economy had developed beyond the bounds of a strictly feudal system. Even the ruthless Edo regime could not force a return to simple feudal patterns.
Actually the unity and long peace under Tokugawa rule made the perpetuation of a feudal economy all the more impossible. With national unity established, many of the petty economic restrictions and limitations that had existed in the days of the Ashikaga were brushed away. Trade was possible on a greater scale than ever before, and despite the division of the land into many Daimyo domains, Japan became essentially a single eco-