User:Austun Sheffer/Censorship in Japan

Tokugawa/Edo period
During the Tokugawa/Edo period, the Bakufu, or military government, had a constant policy to censor anything deemed as indecent by the Bakufu. Their early bans focused on Christian books, military books (gunsho), mainly as a way to restrict regional Daimyo, feudal lord, from using Christianity as a political ideology and challenge the Bakufu's new rule while imposing their moral authority. As military and political instability settled, the Bakufu turned their gaze on social unrest. They were noting an increase in civil disobedience and satirical criticism using literature and theater coming from ordinary people. An edict for publications guidelines were issued on Kyoho 7(1722)/11 with an outline of themes that were banned. In addition to literature, the Bakufu also placed limitations on kabuki theater actors. In government prohibited women and children from appearing in plays; however, this law was often ignored by theater houses. These new laws resulted in the rise of male actors who would specialize in female roles called onnagata.