Castles/Forestry

Question 1

What did early castles look like?

Answer 1

• Built from timber
• Watchtower
• On top of a mountain

Question 2

What did later castles look like?

Answer 2

• Stone walls and foundations
• Permanent structures
• Moats
• Built on plains
• Several watchtowers
• Towns grew around them

Question 3

What was timber used for?

Answer 3

1. Building (houses/castles/shrines/temple)
2. Cooking
3. Heating
4. Industrial purposes (making iron)
5. Making weapons/tools
6. Boats/ships

Question 4

Why did they have a timber shortage?

Answer 4

1. The peace and prosperity of the Tokugawa period meant more towns and increased population - so more resources were needed!
2. Buildings were made of timber because it was better for earthquakes.
3. They had to repair and rebuild after the Warring States period.

Question 5

How did the Tokugawa shoguns fix the forestry shortage?

Answer 5

By implementing a forestry management policy.

Question 6

What were the rules of the policy? (8 things)

Answer 6

1. Only the shogun and daimyo could approve logging of trees.
2. Individual ownership of land in forests was banned.
3. Approval for the use of the timber was needed.
4. Seedlings were protected by only cutting down mature trees.
5. Careful thinning of trees to allow seedlings to grow.
6. Timber plantations were set up on spare land.
7. Villagers were encouraged to plant trees on common land.
8. Policing of forests.

Question 7

What two methods were used to increase agricultural productivity?

Answer 7

1. Use of fertilisers
2. Harvesting twice a year