The shoguns were rulers of ancient Japan from 1185 with great power over the people of that time and their title was passed down from father to son. The rulers of shogunal Japan gained and maintained political power despite strict isolation, religion, and fear. The Shogun isolated Japan in many ways and it was also through religions like Shintoism and Buddhism that power was maintained. The Japanese people would have feared the shoguns because of their great authority. The shoguns isolated Japan from the outside world in many ways so that they could maintain power. This helped them maintain power because people knew little about the rest of the world. In 1633, Shogun Lemitsu banned foreign travel and almost completely isolated Japan in 1639 by limiting contact with the outside world. Japan limited its trade relations to the Netherlands and China and even killed traders stranded on shore. All foreign books were banned. Japan remained isolated for 260 years. (Japan Guide, 4/26/14) In 1549, Christianity was introduced by a Jesuit....