Page 63 - History of War - Issue 05-14

TOKUGAWA IESHIGE TOKUGAWA

WORST. SHOGUN. EVER.
1712-1761 IEMOCHI
A MODERN SHOGUN
The son of
Tokugawa
1846-1866
Yoshimune,
The 14th shogun
Ieshige reigned as
of the Tokugawa
the ninth shogun of shogunate can be
the Tokugawa argued to be the first
shogunate for 15 “modern shogun” in terms
years between 1745 of world events during the
and 1760. Sadly, time of his reign, which
his regime was lasted from 1858 to
beset by corruption, 1866. Known in his
natural disasters childhood as Kikuchiyo
and periods of Iemochi he changed his
famine, and his name after coming of age
clumsiness in in 1851. Iemochi came
dealing with these under increasing pressure
issues greatly from America for Japan to open up the way for greater trade links and
weakened the rule of the Tokugawa clan. The problem with Ieshige was commerce between the two countries. However, there was a conflict
that he had very little interest in governing political affairs, preferring to of interests between Iemochi and the Emperor of Japan, who wanted
focus his attentions on chess, about which he wrote a book. nothing to do with America and intended to abrogate all treaties and
Furthermore, he suffered from chronic ill health and a severe speech expel the foreigners. This put Iemochi in a difficult position: he would
defect throughout his life. Due to his disinterest in political affairs, he either disobey his legitimate superior, or by adhering to the emperor's
would often leave decisions in the hands of his chamberlain, ¯ Ooka demands, trigger a major war. Instead, he tried to delay the matter by
Tadamitsu. There was a great deal of controversy surrounding Ieshige’s procrastinating over decisions, which only angered the emperor more
reign because his father, who was the previous shogun, had three sons and subsequently Iemochi was forced to deal with the Americans
of which Ieshige was the eldest, but the two younger sons – Munetake under Commodore Perry. Perhaps fortunately for him, however,
and Munetade – would have made much more viable candidates due to Iemochi died before he was able to see
their good health and stronger heads for things through. It’s suggested the cause of
government. The decision to place Ieshige DID YOU KNOW? death was heart failure due to beriberi, a DID YOU KNOW?
as shogun confused everybody at the time Ieshige’s remains were lack of vitamin B1. Sadly, history has In 1863, Iemochi travelled
and Ieshige never succeeded in convincing investigated between 1958- consigned Iemochi and his successor, to Kyoto, with an escort of
them that he was worthy of the title. 1960 and it was discovered Yoshinobu, to their place among the 3,000 retainers. The last
time a shogun had been in
Indeed Yoshimune continued to rule for the that his teeth were crooked weakest shoguns in Japanese history. the capital was 230 years
first two years his son was in office. and deformed, confirming his previous.
suggested speech defect.
1600 1650 1700 1750 1800 1850 1900

1600 1625 1650 1675 1700 1725 1750 1775 1800 1825 1850 1875 1900

TOKUGAWA YOSHINOBU

THE LAST SHOGUN
1837-1913

Yoshinobu holds one of the most important titles of any
shogun in history: the last shogun. Originally named
Tokugawa Keiki, he was adopted into the Hitotsubashi
family at a young age as they were eligible for succession to the
shogunate, but had no male heirs to contribute. In 1862, he was
appointed guardian to the previous shogun on our list, Iemochi, and
tried to introduce reforms to bring the Imperial Court and the
shogun into closer harmony, as well as trying to reform the ageing
shogunate, the standard of which was fast deteriorating. Yoshinobu
was elevated to shogun himself in 1866 after the sudden death of
Iemochi and in 1868, a group of radical Samurai seized the palace
in Kyoto, declaring an imperial restoration. Although he agreed to
accept the results of this coup, his advisers refused and a short
civil war ensued. However, when the imperial DID YOU KNOW?
forces marched on the shogun capital at Edo After his retirement,
(today’s Tokyo), Yoshinobu forced his troops to Yoshinobu spent the rest
surrender, and he subsequently retired, ending of his life avoiding the
the final shogunate in Japan. public eye and became a
virtual recluse.
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