The term "Edo period" describes the period of Japanese history characterized by isolationism, specifically from 1603 to 1868. During this time, Japan was governed by the Tokugawa shogunate, which implemented a strict policy of sakoku, or "closed country," limiting foreign influence and trade primarily to the Dutch and Chinese. This isolation allowed for the development of a unique Japanese culture, without the interference of foreign ideologies, leading to advancements in art, literature, and philosophy. While the policy preserved cultural integrity, it also caused Japan to lag technologically compared to Western nations, setting the stage for significant changes in the subsequent Meiji Restoration.