Dr. Satana Suzuki

And the population, too, between 1600 and 1720, something like that, was estimated to have doubled. But later in the period, the population growth sort of stagnated. So it sort of stopped. It plummeted every time farming hit Japan.

And the population, too, between 1600 and 1720, something like that, was estimated to have doubled. But later in the period, the population growth sort of stagnated. So it sort of stopped. It plummeted every time farming hit Japan.

So it's because of this, you know, development of commerce and transportation, it was really kind of really vigorous. And of course, it depends on the region, but some countryside industries really, really flourished, you know, like sake. You like sake? I like sake.

So it's because of this, you know, development of commerce and transportation, it was really kind of really vigorous. And of course, it depends on the region, but some countryside industries really, really flourished, you know, like sake. You like sake? I like sake.

And silk and cotton and ceramics and things like that. So it was really, really vibrant.

And silk and cotton and ceramics and things like that. So it was really, really vibrant.

Yeah, I mean, the city was really growing and the samurai became mostly city residents and things. And not just Edo, but Osaka, Kyoto were growing as well. But like you said, the biggest of all is Edo, which was originally a really small castle town, but by 1720, early 1700s, had already reached a population of 1 million, apparently. Yeah, this marked the largest city in the world at the time.

Yeah, I mean, the city was really growing and the samurai became mostly city residents and things. And not just Edo, but Osaka, Kyoto were growing as well. But like you said, the biggest of all is Edo, which was originally a really small castle town, but by 1720, early 1700s, had already reached a population of 1 million, apparently. Yeah, this marked the largest city in the world at the time.

By population, Tokyo still is the largest. And Osaka was the biggest commercial hub, of course, you know, with many rich rice merchants and things. There was a shift later in the period to rural industries, which led to the declining economic power of some urban areas.

By population, Tokyo still is the largest. And Osaka was the biggest commercial hub, of course, you know, with many rich rice merchants and things. There was a shift later in the period to rural industries, which led to the declining economic power of some urban areas.

So Edo culture was really, really thriving, especially those things like theatre, but mainly sort of three major things. So Kabuki, you might know. Yeah.

So Edo culture was really, really thriving, especially those things like theatre, but mainly sort of three major things. So Kabuki, you might know. Yeah.

It's a traditional theatre with a dramatic performance with dance and then bunraku, that's a puppet theatre, involving like two-thirds life-size puppets controlled by three men with musicians and singer actions, you know, chanting and narration, and then noh, Do you know? No? No, I don't. So it's like a musical. Performers wear masks and sings and dance to musical instruments.

It's a traditional theatre with a dramatic performance with dance and then bunraku, that's a puppet theatre, involving like two-thirds life-size puppets controlled by three men with musicians and singer actions, you know, chanting and narration, and then noh, Do you know? No? No, I don't. So it's like a musical. Performers wear masks and sings and dance to musical instruments.

And history or patronage of Noh theatre went right back to Hideyoshi, meaning it was closely embedded with the lives of the elites at a time you were often expected to patronise the arts.

And history or patronage of Noh theatre went right back to Hideyoshi, meaning it was closely embedded with the lives of the elites at a time you were often expected to patronise the arts.

Well, it could be two hours, but sometimes it could last for days, you know.

Well, it could be two hours, but sometimes it could last for days, you know.

Yeah, so woodblock printing became very popular because it could sort of publish literature and art very cheaply and mass. So this rising commercial printing coincided with the rising literacy rates as well. And in terms of art, the most significant is ukiyo-e. You might have heard of it. Like it's literally translated as floating world pictures.

Yeah, so woodblock printing became very popular because it could sort of publish literature and art very cheaply and mass. So this rising commercial printing coincided with the rising literacy rates as well. And in terms of art, the most significant is ukiyo-e. You might have heard of it. Like it's literally translated as floating world pictures.