Thread: What were some of the major changes in politics and culture during the Edo Period of Japan?

I'm working on researching the Edo Period in relation to a manga/anime I am developing. I would like to it be as historically accurate as possible (as much as you can be with such material). I'm mainly interested in the shift of power during that time. Also, the role of the Samurai and how it changed from before, during and after the Edo Period.

The Edo Period saw the national reunification of Japan following the devastating Sengoku period. Japan was politically reunited under the shogun again though the various daimyos retained regional control. The supremacy of the samurai class remained due to Japan's seclusion as foreign influences were curtailed particularly that of Christianity.