1. Shogunate Administration:
- Shogun: The shogun was the head of the government and had absolute authority.
- Council of Elders (Rōjū): A group of senior advisors who assisted the shogun in decision-making.
- Junior Councilors (Wakadoshiyori): Assistants to the Council of Elders, often representing younger voices.
- Hereditary Advisors (Osaka Bugyō): Officials responsible for overseeing the important city of Osaka.
- Finance Commissioners: Officials in charge of managing the shogunate's finances.
2. Bureaucracy:
- Bakufu: The central government bureaucracy that handled administrative, judicial, and military matters.
- Magistrates: Officials who oversaw specific regions and handled local administration.
3. Military and Law Enforcement:
- Samurai: The warrior class that served the shogun and formed the backbone of the military.
- Hatamoto: Direct retainers of the shogun who held high-ranking positions.
- Fudai Daimyō: Lords who had supported the Tokugawa clan since its early days and held hereditary domains.
- Tozama Daimyō: Lords who had been rivals or opponents of the Tokugawa clan but submitted later and were often given peripheral domains.
4. Religious and Cultural Control:
- Confucian Scholars: Confucianism was the official ideology of the shogunate, and scholars played a vital role in education, administration, and moral guidance.
- Buddhist Temples and Shinto Shrines: Religious institutions were closely monitored by the shogunate to ensure loyalty and prevent potential dissent.
5. Foreign Relations:
- Sakoku Policy: The shogunate implemented a policy of national seclusion, severely restricting foreign trade and contact.
- **Nagasaki: The only port designated for limited trade with the Dutch and Chinese.
The Edo Period's governmental structure maintained a strict social hierarchy and centralized control, ensuring the Tokugawa shogunate's stability and dominance for over 250 years.
