Japanese Isolation

Japan from the Tokugawa shogunate until the Meiji Restoration in the late 1800s has been known to endorse a policy of political isolation, as many other Asian countries did until the imposition of imperialism from European countries. This policy of sequesterment from the outside world comes into play in the book in a number of ways. While the Japanese are at amiable terms with Lugnagg ad even offer regular ferry services between Japan and Lugnagg as a sign of their healthy relationship, Europe is not yet in contact with the Lugnagg civilization. This is not the only sign of the isolationism of the Japanese. Gulliver travels home with a crew of Dutch sailors, the only European civilization the Japanese government allow contact with. It is interesting to see Gulliver implement real-world scenarios other than the British culture into Gulliver's Travels.