Alternate Attendance Policy
One of the tactics used to keep the Daimyo under control of the Shogun was the Alternate Attendance Policy. This policy required that Daimyo live in Edo for a few months every other year. In the time that you went home to your castles the Shogun kept members of your family as "hostages" in Edo so you wouldn't rebel. They also kept potential rebels far away from Edo under the watch of loyal Daimyo.
Traveling to Edo
Another tactic used was the security of the Tokaido Road. The Tokaido Road was the most common of the highways in Japan. Along the tokaido road there were many check points. This ensured the safety and helped the government keep an eye on people. The Daimyo had an elaborate group traveling with them. These big excursions cost lots of money. The money was spent on food, housing and other pleasures. The Shogun owned much of the shops and housing places along the road. This allowed him to reek the benefits of these expensive trips and have "spys" up and down the road. These people told the Shogun if something suspicious was going on, further keeping the Daimyo in line.
(DD 147)
One of the tactics used to keep the Daimyo under control of the Shogun was the Alternate Attendance Policy. This policy required that Daimyo live in Edo for a few months every other year. In the time that you went home to your castles the Shogun kept members of your family as "hostages" in Edo so you wouldn't rebel. They also kept potential rebels far away from Edo under the watch of loyal Daimyo.
Traveling to Edo
Another tactic used was the security of the Tokaido Road. The Tokaido Road was the most common of the highways in Japan. Along the tokaido road there were many check points. This ensured the safety and helped the government keep an eye on people. The Daimyo had an elaborate group traveling with them. These big excursions cost lots of money. The money was spent on food, housing and other pleasures. The Shogun owned much of the shops and housing places along the road. This allowed him to reek the benefits of these expensive trips and have "spys" up and down the road. These people told the Shogun if something suspicious was going on, further keeping the Daimyo in line.
(DD 147)