Sankin Kotai

In order to control the daimyos of Japan a proposal of Sankin Kotai or alternate attendance has been brought up. It would mean that a daimyo would need to establish a residence in Edo and move periodically between Edo and his han, typically spending alternate years in each place. The daimyo's wife and heir shall remain in Edo as hostages. The economic strain on the daimyo should make him unable to wage war as he has to maintain lavish residences in both his Han and in Edo. The Sankin Kotai should also be a military service as each daimyo would be required to furnish a number of samurai in accordance with the assessment of his han.