Which of the following was a significant feature of the Tokugawa Shogunate?

The Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868, is characterized by a centralized governance system. During this period, the shogunate established a strict hierarchy that consolidated power in the hands of the shogun, while the emperor retained a largely ceremonial role. This centralization included the implementation of policies that maintained stability, such as the alternate attendance system (sankin-kotai), where feudal lords (daimyos) were required to spend every other year in the capital, Edo. This not only facilitated control over the daimyos but also reinforced loyalty to the shogunate.

Additionally, the Tokugawa regime enforced strict social orders and limited external influences, which further emphasized the consolidation of governmental authority and stability across Japan. This environment contributed to a long period of peace and economic growth known as the Edo period.

In contrast, decentralization would suggest a lack of coherent authority, which was not the case as the shogunate exerted significant control. Nomadic leadership does not apply to the Tokugawa system, as the shogunate was marked by a stable ruling class rather than a shifting or nomadic one. Lastly, foreign military alliances were not a defining feature