Changes

Overall, the 18th century was characterized by cultural maturation, and economic stability and stasis; political corruption and other factors led to decline towards the end of the century and a return to many of the problems of Genroku.

Overall, the 18th century was characterized by cultural maturation, and economic stability and stasis; political corruption and other factors led to decline towards the end of the century and a return to many of the problems of Genroku.

The years immediately following Genroku were characterized by reforms, leading into a century of relative stasis and stability as compared to the fantastic growth and change of the previous century. During the brief reigns of [[Tokugawa Ienobu]] ([[1709]]-[[1713]]) and [[Tokugawa Ietsugu]] ([[1713]]-[[1716]]), shogunal advisor [[Arai Hakuseki]] oversaw a number of reforms, principally a reversal of the currency debasement effected in [[1695]]. Though this did not truly solve the financial problems of the shogunal treasury, nor of the country as a whole, it was an important step towards putting an end to the inflation and frivolous spending of the Genroku period.

The years immediately following Genroku were characterized by reforms, leading into a century of relative stasis and stability as compared to the fantastic growth and change of the previous century. During the brief reigns of [[Tokugawa Ienobu]] ([[1709]]-[[1712]]) and [[Tokugawa Ietsugu]] ([[1713]]-[[1716]]), shogunal advisor [[Arai Hakuseki]] oversaw a number of reforms, principally a reversal of the currency debasement effected in [[1695]]. Though this did not truly solve the financial problems of the shogunal treasury, nor of the country as a whole, it was an important step towards putting an end to the inflation and frivolous spending of the Genroku period.

Cultural forms introduced in the previous century developed and coalesced, and many now-famous styles, works, and masters emerged. This period saw the production of the three most popular and famous bunraku and kabuki plays of all time: ''[[Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura]]'', ''[[Kanadehon Chushingura|Kanadehon Chûshingura]]'' and ''[[Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami]]'' in 1746-1748. Full-color ''ukiyo-e'' woodblock prints, known as ''[[nishiki-e]]'', were introduced by [[Suzuki Harunobu]] in [[1765]].

Cultural forms introduced in the previous century developed and coalesced, and many now-famous styles, works, and masters emerged. This period saw the production of the three most popular and famous bunraku and kabuki plays of all time: ''[[Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura]]'', ''[[Kanadehon Chushingura|Kanadehon Chûshingura]]'' and ''[[Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami]]'' in 1746-1748. Full-color ''ukiyo-e'' woodblock prints, known as ''[[nishiki-e]]'', were introduced by [[Suzuki Harunobu]] in [[1765]].