Keian no Ofuregaki

proclamation, 1649, Japan

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June 30, 2026

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The Keian no Ofuregaki, or "Proclamations of the Keian Era," were a set of policies issued by the Japanese bakufu (shogunate) in 1649. These proclamations served as a comprehensive compilation of measures aimed at controlling rural administration. The primary goal was to strengthen the bakufu's authority and regulate the lives of the agricultural populace. This included detailed land surveys to maximize tax collection and the establishment of a three-tiered system of village officers to carry out administrative functions. Additionally, residents were organized into neighborhood associations (gonin-gumi) to ensure collective responsibility for tax payments, law enforcement, and mutual assistance. The Keian no Ofuregaki also imposed strict restrictions on peasants regarding land ownership, occupation changes, attire, and housing, reinforcing the bakufu's control over rural society.1

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The establishment of the system
The Keian no Ofuregaki (“Proclamations of the Keian era”), promulgated by the bakufu in 1649, was a compendium of bakufu policies designed to control rural administration.
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The Keian no Ofuregaki (“Proclamations of the Keian era”), promulgated by the bakufu in 1649, was a compendium of bakufu policies designed to control rural administration.
Read More