The Tokugawa clan was a powerful family in Japan that ruled from 1603 to 1868 during the period known as the Edo period. Founded by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the clan established a centralized feudal system, bringing stability after years of civil war. The Tokugawa shogunate controlled Japan's political landscape, promoting trade and cultural development. Under the Tokugawa clan, Japan experienced relative peace and isolation from foreign influence, known as sakoku. The clan's rule ended with the Meiji Restoration, which marked the transition to a modern state. The legacy of the Tokugawa clan continues to influence Japanese culture and history today.