Final answer:
Hideyoshi's prohibition of swords for peasants was a measure to consolidate power and maintain social order. It restricted potential uprisings and ensured a stable society where everyone knew their place and the roles they were expected to play in maintaining the ruler's vision of a unified Japan.
Step-by-step explanation:
Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who succeeded Oda Nobunaga, implemented a policy that made owning swords illegal for peasants. By disarming non-samurai and forbidding peasants to leave the land or become soldiers, Hideyoshi hoped to consolidate power and maintain social order. This control extended to restricting samurai to the occupation of war, thus ensuring they could not become rivals in other spheres like agriculture or commerce. Hideyoshi's strict social hierarchy was intended to prevent uprisings and create a stable and loyal domain under his rule.
The prohibition against peasants owning swords was also intertwined with Hideyoshi's other policies, such as land redistribution, loyalty declarations from daimyo, and restrictions on foreign influences, which included suspicion of Christian activities. These measures combined to ensure that power was centralized and any potential for rebellion or power shifts was minimized. Hideyoshi's vision for Japan was one of unified control under a single ruler with a clear separation of classes and the roles they played within society.