The Tokugawa Shogunate was a feudal military government in Japan that lasted from 1603 to 1868. Founded by Tokugawa Ieyasu, it marked the beginning of the Edo period, characterized by political stability, economic growth, and cultural flourishing. The shogunate centralized power, reducing the influence of the samurai class and promoting a strict social hierarchy. During the Tokugawa era, Japan adopted a policy of isolation known as sakoku, limiting foreign influence and trade. This period saw the development of unique Japanese arts, such as ukiyo-e (woodblock prints) and kabuki theater. The shogunate ended with the Meiji Restoration, which restored imperial rule and modernized Japan.