Before international contacts and exchanges were established between Asia and Europe; particularly in Japan, the Tokugawa shogunate employed an incredibly rigid social order. Initially, Japanese subjects were trapped in the status they were born into without mobility, but as the Tokugawa period ended, social classes became blurred and more mobile. Given this movement of subjects, the conclusion is that the hierarchy and social classes of Tokugawa Japan were maintained in name and convention; but not always in real practice. People acted outside the boundaries of their classes, but faced judgment from those who still upheld the Shogunate's traditional values. Furthermore, the backward nature of Japan during this time period affected its status internationally, as it was considered inferior by Europeans and the Chinese. This was due to the rigidity of society and the weaknesses that rigidity contributed to in government; especially foreign policy. This perceived weakness of Japan would not be corrected until the Meiji Restoration. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssaySocially, with foreign influence, more and more people began to act according to what would be considered the traditional social order, even though they were often reprimanded for such actions. It was a strange time in Japan's development: a schism between old values ​​and new international influence. During much of the Tokugawa period, the ban on international trade (primarily for imports as Japan strove to be self-sufficient), but the economic promise of international trade were a major factor in the deterioration of the social hierarchy. Fundamentally, the Tokugawa shogunate placed the Japanese people in a precarious position by attempting to impose an incredibly rigid social order and a period of selective isolationism. This precariousness meant that social classes were maintained in name; but not always in practice; especially in the lower hierarchical social classes of Japan. The shoguns of the Tokugawa era valued order and stability, and thus the hierarchy that constituted the social classes of the time was born. As defined, the system was specific, rigid and complex. “…no man or woman had to change jobs or even residence. The shoguns placed the military as the ruling class at the top of a league of occupations. Constituting 6.4% of the population, the military included both daimyo, the rulers of the domains, and their vassals, the samurai who protected them and served as administrative staff... about 85% of the population, officially valued for producing food, but also exploited because they were immobile and unarmed…. Then the artisans arrived, also useful because they made tools for the farmers and swords for the samurai. At the bottom were the merchants, officially despised because they produced nothing.” From this quote by Walthall the specific nature of social classes becomes evident. They were strict and regulated; multiple laws existed to dispel the idea of ​​social class integration. The avoidance of hierarchy, however, was not entirely unheard of. It is in this transcendence of class that the disintegration of the system as a whole is illustrated; as well as the shoguns' evident failure to maintain it beyond name and appearance. This deviance is further highlighted in Musui's Story: The Autobiography of a Tokugawa Samurai as Katsu Kokichi claims to be a higher social class than he actually is, as well as acting inappropriately in a variety of ways; ranging from fighting,to begging, stealing, disrespect, lying and depravity. In the narrative, he describes stealing 200 ryō for use in a brothel. Obviously his friends and family are not thrilled with his indiscretion, and he is punished for it, as it goes against the values ​​and society classes of the time. Interestingly, despite having refused all his life to follow the oppressive social norms of the Shogunate, at the end of his life, Katsu said that he was now happy to follow the traditional social norms of the time period in his class. to consider himself useless like me: the comfort and ease I enjoy now would have been impossible. This is also truly wonderful and leads me to believe that I have yet to be abandoned by the gods... Venerate your ancestors and take care that no sacrilege is committed. Arrive at your workplace one hour early. Study the literary and military arts as if you were cultivating a field…. Above all, refrain from greed. Don't even entertain him in your dreams. I was guilty of this and look what became of me... Don't indulge in carnal pleasures. Be careful women: a moment of carelessness can destroy your family and home. It is interesting to note how Katsu upholds social norms and discipline later in his life, even though his previous actions were completely against them. He even goes as far as berating himself for his actions in the past; explaining how happiness and comfort can be achieved through responsibility and discipleship, which are traits Katsu lacked for most of his life. His actions throughout his life emphasize the changeability and fluctuation of Japan's social classes during the Edo period. It is not surprising that adherence to social classes during the Tokugawa period depended largely on the social class to which one belonged. In general, the lower the social class, the more distorted ideals and norms become. This is understandable, however, from a logical point of view, because the ruling class benefits enormously from maintaining the hierarchy. One such account of this rigidity is that of Princess Shinanomiya. boys' coming of age ceremony at seven....These accounts reflect his interest in ancient customs as well as his following in Gomizunoo's wake in his lifelong effort to preserve cultural traditions. However, after describing an event relating to her first child, she had a tendency to telegraph 'As before'.” This is an interesting account for two main reasons. First, it shows how rigorous the social standards of the time were during this time period. The ruling class was determined to perpetuate the hierarchy. Secondly, however, the princess seems to be infected with a lightness that is typically American in nature. It is further evidence of the deterioration of the hierarchy replaced by customs from abroad; further evidence that the Tokugawa social classes were crumbling and that there were many factors at play in their destruction. Despite the depth and validity of Musui's History as it pertains to the state of internal affairs in Tokugawa Japan, it fails to recognize the profound forces that worked to oust the power of the Shogunate, for it is an autobiography of one man's life, rather than a historical political account. Due to technological advances and the drive for conquest and exploration, Asia experienced greater contact with Europe and even America during the Tokugawa, which was problematic in many areas of Japanese life. In the analysis of Japan it is important to note the impression that other countries have had of Japan. “Japan was.