Keicho

Keicho is a Japanese historical era that lasted from 1596 to 1615. It began during the reign of Emperor Go-Yōzei and ended during the reign of Emperor Go-Mizunoo. The Keicho era is primarily associated with the rule of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who established the Tokugawa shogunate in 1603, marking the beginning of the Edo period. This period was a time of significant change and consolidation in Japan.

The Keicho era witnessed the culmination of the Sengoku period, the era of warring states. Following the unification of Japan by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Ieyasu emerged as the dominant power. His victory at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 solidified his position, leading to the establishment of the shogunate. This event ushered in over 250 years of relative peace and stability under Tokugawa rule.

Key developments during Keicho included the formalization of the Edo shogunate's administrative structures and policies. The shogunate began implementing measures to control the daimyo (feudal lords) and consolidate central authority. Relations with foreign powers also saw shifts, with initial trade and diplomatic engagement giving way to increasing isolationist policies later in the period and into the Edo period. The Keicho era effectively laid the groundwork for the subsequent Edo period, shaping Japan's political, social, and cultural landscape for centuries to come.