History
How the shoguns kept daimyo families hostage
HERE’S THE INTERESTING PART
How do you stop powerful warlords from rebelling? Institutionalized kidnapping. The Tokugawa shogunate enforced the 'sankin-kotai' system, forcing regional daimyos to alternate years living in the capital. While the lords traveled, their wives and heirs were permanently trapped in Edo as high-status hostages, neatly bankrupting the lords with travel expenses while guaranteeing absolute obedience.
One discovery leads to another.
Keep exploring facts in this topic.
History →
