鎖国 – 英語で説明するために – 英会話形式で学ぶ

Yeah, sakoku was Japan’s isolation policy during the Edo period. It lasted for over 250 years, starting in the early 1600s under the Tokugawa shogunate. They wanted to keep foreign influence out and control the country better. What part of sakoku are you most curious about?

Good question. One of the main reasons was to stop the spread of Christianity. The Tokugawa government saw Christianity as a threat because its teaching of “equality before God” went against the strict class system in Japan. At the top were the samurai, and below them were farmers, artisans, and merchants. The idea of equality didn’t fit with this structure.

Exactly! The Shimabara Rebellion in 1637 was partly led by Christian peasants. After that, the shogunate really cracked down on Christianity, banning it and tightening control over foreign contact. They didn’t want any ideas from outside to disrupt the order.

Not entirely. They still traded, but only with a few countries. The Dutch and Chinese were allowed to trade in Nagasaki, but they were closely monitored. The Dutch were particularly important because they brought in Western knowledge, like medicine and science. This was called “Rangaku,” or Dutch learning.

Yes, exactly. Despite the isolation, Japan wasn’t completely cut off from progress. It’s interesting because the isolation helped Japan develop its own culture too. Arts like ukiyo-e and haiku really flourished during sakoku.

Definitely. Without much foreign influence, Japanese culture developed in unique ways. And the urban culture in places like Edo grew with popular entertainment like kabuki theater. So while Japan wasn’t open to the world, it wasn’t stagnant either.

The turning point was in 1853, when American Commodore Perry arrived in Japan with huge black ships, demanding that Japan open its ports. The sight of those ships was a shock to the Japanese, and in 1854, the shogunate signed the Treaty of Kanagawa, agreeing to trade with the U.S.

Yes, his arrival changed everything. After the treaty with the U.S., other countries followed, and Japan slowly opened its doors to the world. This eventually led to the Meiji Restoration in 1868, when Japan modernized rapidly.

I’m glad to hear that! Sakoku is a fascinating part of Japan’s history. It shaped so much of the country’s culture and development, even after it ended.

You’re welcome! The Meiji period is definitely another exciting chapter in Japan’s history. We can talk about that next time.

Yeah, sakoku was Japan’s isolation policy during the Edo period. It lasted for over 250 years, starting in the early 1600s under the Tokugawa shogunate. They wanted to keep foreign influence out and control the country better. What part of sakoku are you most curious about?

うん、鎖国は江戸時代の日本の孤立政策だよ。1600年代初めに徳川幕府が始めて、250年以上続いたんだ。外国の影響を排除して国をもっと統制するためだったんだよ。鎖国のどこに一番興味があるの？

Good question. One of the main reasons was to stop the spread of Christianity. The Tokugawa government saw Christianity as a threat because its teaching of “equality before God” went against the strict class system in Japan. At the top were the samurai, and below them were farmers, artisans, and merchants. The idea of equality didn’t fit with this structure.

いい質問だね。主な理由の一つは、キリスト教の広がりを止めることだったんだ。徳川幕府はキリスト教を脅威と見なしていて、「神の前ではみんな平等」という教えが日本の厳しい身分制度に反していたんだ。上には武士がいて、その下に農民、職人、商人がいた。平等という考え方は、この構造に合わなかったんだよ。

Exactly! The Shimabara Rebellion in 1637 was partly led by Christian peasants. After that, the shogunate really cracked down on Christianity, banning it and tightening control over foreign contact. They didn’t want any ideas from outside to disrupt the order.

その通りだよ！1637年の島原の乱は、キリスト教徒の農民が中心だったんだ。それ以降、幕府はキリスト教に対する取り締まりを厳しくして、外国との接触をさらに制限したんだ。外からの考えが秩序を乱すのを恐れていたんだよ。

Not entirely. They still traded, but only with a few countries. The Dutch and Chinese were allowed to trade in Nagasaki, but they were closely monitored. The Dutch were particularly important because they brought in Western knowledge, like medicine and science. This was called “Rangaku,” or Dutch learning.

完全にではないよ。いくつかの国とは貿易していたんだ。オランダと中国は長崎で貿易を許されていたけど、厳しく監視されていたよ。オランダは特に重要で、西洋の医学や科学などの知識をもたらしていたんだ。「蘭学」って呼ばれていたんだよ。

Yes, exactly. Despite the isolation, Japan wasn’t completely cut off from progress. It’s interesting because the isolation helped Japan develop its own culture too. Arts like ukiyo-e and haiku really flourished during sakoku.

そうだよ。孤立していても、完全に進歩から切り離されていたわけじゃないんだ。面白いのは、孤立が日本独自の文化を発展させるのにも役立ったことなんだ。浮世絵や俳句みたいな芸術が鎖国の時期にすごく栄えたんだよ。

Definitely. Without much foreign influence, Japanese culture developed in unique ways. And the urban culture in places like Edo grew with popular entertainment like kabuki theater. So while Japan wasn’t open to the world, it wasn’t stagnant either.

間違いないよ。外国からの影響が少なかったからこそ、日本文化は独自の発展を遂げたんだ。江戸みたいな都市では、歌舞伎などの大衆娯楽が栄えたんだよ。だから、世界に開かれていなくても、日本は停滞していなかったんだ。

The turning point was in 1853, when American Commodore Perry arrived in Japan with huge black ships, demanding that Japan open its ports. The sight of those ships was a shock to the Japanese, and in 1854, the shogunate signed the Treaty of Kanagawa, agreeing to trade with the U.S.

転機は1853年だよ。アメリカのペリー提督が巨大な黒船で日本に来航して、港を開くよう要求したんだ。あの船を見た日本人は大きな衝撃を受けたんだよ。そして1854年に幕府は日米和親条約を結び、アメリカとの貿易に合意したんだ。

Yes, his arrival changed everything. After the treaty with the U.S., other countries followed, and Japan slowly opened its doors to the world. This eventually led to the Meiji Restoration in 1868, when Japan modernized rapidly.

そうだよ、彼の来航がすべてを変えたんだ。アメリカとの条約の後、他の国も続いて、日本は徐々に世界に門戸を開いたんだ。それが最終的に1868年の明治維新につながって、日本は急速に近代化していったんだ。

I’m glad to hear that! Sakoku is a fascinating part of Japan’s history. It shaped so much of the country’s culture and development, even after it ended.

そう言ってもらえて嬉しいよ！鎖国は日本の歴史の中でも本当に面白い部分なんだ。鎖国が終わっても、その影響は日本の文化や発展に大きく残っているんだよ。

You’re welcome! The Meiji period is definitely another exciting chapter in Japan’s history. We can talk about that next time.

どういたしまして！明治時代はまた別の日本史の面白い章だよ。次回それについて話そう。

artisan : 名詞
意味: 熟練した職人。A skilled worker who makes things by hand, often using traditional methods.
（鎖国時代の日本では、職人が独自の文化や工芸品を発展させた）
例文：

• The artisan crafted beautiful pottery by hand.
  「その職人は美しい陶器を手作りしました。」
• In the past, artisans were highly respected for their skills.
  「昔、職人たちはその技術で非常に尊敬されていました。」
• She bought a handmade basket from a local artisan.
  「彼女は地元の職人から手作りのかごを買いました。」

rebellion : 名詞
意味: 反乱、反抗。An act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler.
（島原の乱はキリスト教徒の農民が幕府に対して起こした反乱を指す）
例文：

• The government quickly suppressed the rebellion.
  「政府は反乱を速やかに鎮圧しました。」
• The rebellion was fueled by the people’s dissatisfaction with the leadership.
  「反乱は、指導者に対する人々の不満によって引き起こされました。」
• The peasants staged a rebellion against the oppressive taxes.
  「農民たちは厳しい税金に反対して反乱を起こしました。」

peasant : 名詞
意味: 農民、特に貧しい農業労働者。A poor farmer of low social status who owns or rents a small piece of land.
（島原の乱では、貧しいキリスト教徒の農民が中心となった）
例文：

• The peasant worked hard to grow enough food for his family.
  「その農民は家族のために十分な食糧を育てるために懸命に働きました。」
• In medieval times, most people were peasants who lived off the land.
  「中世の時代、大半の人々は農地で生計を立てる農民でした。」
• The peasants rebelled against their lords over unfair treatment.
  「農民たちは不当な扱いに対して領主に反抗しました。」

disrupt : 動詞
意味: 混乱させる、中断させる。To interrupt or cause disorder.
（鎖国時代には、外部の思想が秩序を乱すことを恐れていた）
例文：

• The sudden storm disrupted the outdoor event.
  「突然の嵐が屋外イベントを中断させました。」
• Construction noise disrupted the meeting, making it hard to hear.
  「工事の騒音が会議を混乱させ、話を聞きづらくしました。」
• The teacher asked the students not to disrupt the class.
  「先生は生徒たちに授業を妨害しないように言いました。」

stagnant : 形容詞
意味: 停滞した、動きのない。Not flowing or moving, showing no activity or progress.
（鎖国時代、日本は孤立していたが停滞していたわけではなかった）
例文：

• The stagnant water in the pond began to smell bad.
  「池の停滞した水が悪臭を放ち始めました。」
• His career felt stagnant, so he decided to look for a new job.
  「彼のキャリアは停滞していると感じたため、新しい仕事を探すことに決めました。」
• The economy remained stagnant for years before showing signs of recovery.
  「経済は数年間停滞したままでしたが、その後回復の兆しを見せました。」