ABSTRACT
THE seclusion of the Emperors and the gathering of the reins of government into the hands of Shoguns was a gradual process, beginning not long after the introduction of Chinese civilization, and continuing to grow until Iyeyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa dynasty, through his code of laws, took from the Emperor the last vestige of real power, and perfected the feudal system which maintained the sway of his house for two hundred and fifty years of peace.
