Location and Its Influence on Japanese History

When we think of history we often turn our thoughts directly to a list of events and specific dates of importance; but there is more to a country's history than just significant events and respective dates. A country's location has a great deal to do with how and why different events occurred. Location helps to shape culture and economy. As such, it is nearly impossible to ignore the location and geography of a country when considering its history and the significance of it.

One of the most significant impact of Japan's location as an island nation in the Pacific, is that it placed Japan in relative isolation. While Japan did extend itself to neighbors such as China for trade and other such relations during early eras (such influence can be seen through the modeling of China during the Asuka and Nara eras, as well as the use of Chinese language in the making of the Japanese language)*, it did remain relatively isolated. This was easy for the Japanese because of their island geography. However, it also hurt the Japanese developmentally. By the time Commidore Perry's ships sailed into Japanese ports, the Americans and Europeans were already far into their "modernization." Both American and European nations were industrializing, using trains, telegraphs, factories, and the like; while Japan was still using swords and bows, riding horses, and only just beginning a sort of unique modernization in central cities. The Tokugawa Shogun can be credited for the beginnings of modernization, but it more laying down the basis (setting up central cities based around the daimyo, job opportunities, etc...) for what the West would influence when Perry set foot in Japan.

On the same note of isolation, Japan was able to establish a very unique culture, language, and unity within their nation. Since they didn't have significant influence from the outside world, they were able to develop all on their own, even if that development was stunted by Western standards. As such, the Japanese were very uniquely and exclusively Japanese. Part of this influenced the eagerness of the Japanese to adopt foreign items, tools, and technology. Since the Japanese had a very strong cultural identity, they tended to view foreign items as means of making Japan stronger, instead of a means of diluting their way of life.

Japan's location also provided for its foodstuffs. More specifically, Japan's location put it in a climate that provided the warmth of the Pacific and the rain systems that produced a monsoon season. This interaction made for the perfect atmosphere for wet crops such as rice, which was became Japan's staple food. Enough rice patties meant enough food to support the need of Japan's rather large population, a significant plus the country. This would also influence Japan's ability to modernize and grow.

Lastly, Japan's topography seemed to have influenced their political structure, as least as much as early Japan in concerned. Japan is an extremely mountainous area which separates its landscape into region and inevitably divides the people. Early Japan saw a great deal of warfare, local warlords fought against one another for land and power. Later, after Japan's unification under Tokugawa (with the foundations being laid by Oda Nobunaga and Toyatomi Hideyoshi), Japan's government would have central figurehead, the Tokugawa Shogun, but also have separate leaders for each region. These regional leaders, entitled "Daimyo," ruled and supported their own regions through the use of samurai military power and support of farming industries. It wouldn't be until modern times that Japan was able to unify in a more absolute manner where Daimyo were no longer in place, and a Prime Minister and the Emperor were the heads of power.

While geography also plays a part in culture development, these were the major historical influences of Japan's location. Clearly, Japanese history would have been different had its geography and location been different. This can be said of any nation is the world, as geography plays an interesting and integral part in all country's history's. As for Japan's history, it laid down the path for Japan's unique culture and political identify, and the beautiful and tragic history that captivates people around the world. The famous Samurai and Daimyo have been the basis of artwork, film, and novels for centuries. Without the topography of Japan, would such a tradition have been founded? What would Japan's culture, political ideology, and national identity have been like had they been located elsewhere?

*Toyatomi Hideyoshi also extended his reaches to Korea in an ambitious war. Another very notable event that defied the theory of complete early Japanese isolation.