This edict also took place within a context of progressive takeover of Japan's foreign relations by the Tokugawa shoguns, which starts with the implementation of the shuinsen system (1604) and ends with the early 18 th century restrictions on foreign trade. This edict put an end to 30 years of official licensed trade for Japanese ships traveling with the shogun's red seal (shuinsen). In 1635, the Tokugawa bakufu issued an edict banning the Japanese from leaving the country or returning to Japan after settling overseas.
