tokugawa: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Historical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “tokugawa” mean?
The surname of a dynasty of shoguns that ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The surname of a dynasty of shoguns that ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868.
Pertaining to the Edo period of Japanese history, characterized by centralized feudal rule, isolationist foreign policies, and significant cultural development.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Pronunciation may differ slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Historical, authoritative, feudal, isolationist.
Frequency
Used with equal low frequency in both contexts, primarily in historical, academic, or cultural discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “tokugawa” in a Sentence
[the] Tokugawa [noun][during/under] the Tokugawathe [adjective] Tokugawa periodVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tokugawa” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The Tokugawa bureaucracy was remarkably efficient for its time.
- We studied Tokugawa art and woodblock prints.
American English
- Tokugawa-era policies restricted foreign trade.
- The museum has a collection of Tokugawa armor.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used, except metaphorically for extreme isolationism or rigid hierarchy in a company.
Academic
Common in history, East Asian studies, and political science contexts to denote the specific period and regime.
Everyday
Rare, used mainly when discussing Japanese history, culture, or travel.
Technical
Used in historical scholarship with precise chronological and political connotations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tokugawa”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tokugawa”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tokugawa”
- Incorrect: 'the Tokugawa's period'. Correct: 'the Tokugawa period'.
- Incorrect: 'Tokugawa' as a common noun (e.g., 'a tokugawa'). It is always a proper noun and capitalized.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily the surname of the ruling family (the shoguns). By extension, it describes the historical period (1603-1868) they ruled, known as the Tokugawa or Edo period.
In British English: /ˌtɒk.uːˈɡɑː.wə/. In American English: /ˌtoʊ.kuˈɡɑ.wə/. The stress is typically on the third syllable ('ga').
Yes, attributively. For example, 'Tokugawa politics', 'Tokugawa society'. It functions as a proper adjective and is always capitalized.
It brought prolonged internal peace, strict social order, economic growth, and cultural flourishing (e.g., Kabuki, ukiyo-e) to Japan, but also enforced national isolation (sakoku) which ended with the Meiji Restoration.
The surname of a dynasty of shoguns that ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868.
Tokugawa is usually formal, historical, academic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[To be] as closed as Tokugawa Japan”
- “A Tokugawa-style bureaucracy (meaning highly centralized and rigid)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TOKU' (like 'talk' to) + 'GAWA' (like 'guitar'). The shogun who talked Japan into a long period of peace and isolation.
Conceptual Metaphor
A Tokugawa policy → A policy of isolationism and strict internal control.
Practice
Quiz
What is the Tokugawa period also commonly known as?