Tokugawa Ieharu

1. Overview

Tokugawa Ieharu (徳川 家治_{Tokugawa Ieharu}^Japanese) was the tenth shōgun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan, holding office from 1760 to 1786. His childhood name was Takechiyo (竹千代^Japanese). Born on June 20, 1737, he was the eldest son of the ninth shogun, Tokugawa Ieshige. From an early age, Ieharu displayed exceptional intelligence and was highly favored by his grandfather, the eighth shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune, who personally oversaw his education in statesmanship and martial arts.

Ieharu's reign is notably associated with the administration of his senior councilor, Tanuma Okitsugu, a period often referred to as the "Tanuma-jidai" (田沼時代_Tanuma-jidai^Japanese). While Tanuma initiated significant economic reforms, his administration was also widely perceived as corrupt, with allegations of bribery being necessary for high positions within the bakufu. This era was further marked by severe natural disasters, including the Great Tenmei famine and the Mount Asama eruption, which had devastating impacts on the populace. Ieharu was the last shogun to formally receive Korean envoys in Edo in 1764.

Ieharu died in 1786 and was given the Buddhist name Shunmyoin. He was buried at Kan'ei-ji in Edo, which is now Ueno, Taitō Ward, Tokyo. His death was surrounded by controversy and rumors of poisoning, reflecting the intense political climate of the time.

2. Early Life and Education

Tokugawa Ieharu was born on May 22, 1737, in the Nishinomaru (West Citadel) of Edo Castle. His mother was Umekei Yukiko (later known as Shinshin'in), the daughter of Umekei Michinori. From a young age, Ieharu, whose childhood name was Takechiyo, was recognized for his sharp intellect. His grandfather, the eighth shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune, held high expectations for him and personally took charge of his education.

Yoshimune's direct involvement in Ieharu's upbringing was particularly significant because Ieharu's father, Ieshige, had a speech impediment that made it difficult for Yoshimune to impart the "Imperial studies" (帝王学_Teiō-gaku^Japanese), a comprehensive education in statesmanship and leadership, directly to him. Ieharu, however, proved to be a receptive student, excelling in both literary and martial arts under his grandfather's tutelage. Yoshimune also ensured that the young pages assigned to Ieharu received proper training, aiming to establish a robust system for the future shogunate.

In August 1741 (Kanpō 1), Ieharu underwent his coming-of-age ceremony, adopting the name Ieharu and being appointed Gonnadainagon (Provisional Major Counselor) with the court rank of Junior Second Rank. In December 1754 (Hōreki 4), he married Iso no Miya Tomoko (also known as Rinshi Joō or Isonomiya), a daughter of Imperial Prince Naohito.

3. Family

Tokugawa Ieharu's immediate family included his parents, his principal wife, several concubines, and both biological and adopted children.

His parents were:

• Father: Tokugawa Ieshige, the ninth Tokugawa Shogun.
• Mother: Oko no Kata (died 1728), later known as Shinshin'in or Umekei Yukiko.

His principal wife was:

• Iso no Miya Tomoko (五十宮倫子女王_{Isonomiya Rinshi Joō}^Japanese, 1738-1771), later known as Shinshin'in or Kokan'in (心観院_Shinkan'in^Japanese). She was a daughter of Imperial Prince Naohito. Ieharu was notably devoted to her, which was exceptional among Tokugawa shoguns. They had two daughters, which was also unusual for a shogun's official wife.

Ieharu also had several concubines:

• Omiyo no Kata
• Ochiho no Kata (1737-1791), later known as Renkoin (蓮光院_Renkōin^Japanese), daughter of Tsuda Nobunari.
• Oshina no Kata (died 1778), later known as Yoren-in (養蓮院_Yōren'in^Japanese), daughter of Fujii Kanetsune.

His biological children were:

• Chiyohime (千代姫^Japanese, 1756-1757), his eldest daughter by Iso no Miya Tomoko, later known as Kakoin (華光院_Kakōin^Japanese). She died in infancy.
• Manjuhime (万寿姫^Japanese, 1761-1773), his second daughter by Iso no Miya Tomoko. She was engaged to Tokugawa Haruyoshi but died young. After her mother's death, she was adopted by Ieharu's concubine, Omaki no Kata. She was later known as Jodaiin (乗台院_Jōdaiin^Japanese).
• Tokugawa Iemoto (徳川家基^Japanese, 1762-1779), his eldest son by Ochiho no Kata (Renkoin). He was designated heir but died prematurely.
• Tokugawa Teijiro (徳川貞次郎_{Tokugawa Sadajirō}^Japanese, 1762-1763), his second son by Oshina no Kata (Yoren-in). He died in infancy.

Ieharu's adopted children included:

• Tokugawa Ienari, who became the eleventh shogun. He was the eldest son of Tokugawa Harusada of the Hitotsubashi branch of the Gosankyō.
• Tanehime (種姫^Japanese, 1765-1794), later known as Teikyoin (貞恭院_Teikyōin^Japanese). She was the daughter of Tokugawa Munetake and married Tokugawa Harutomi of the Kishū Domain.

4. Shogunate Succession

Tokugawa Ieharu formally succeeded his father, Tokugawa Ieshige, as the tenth shogun on May 3, 1760 (Hōreki 10). Ieshige's retirement was prompted by his declining health and the death of his trusted chamberlain, Ōoka Tadamitsu, who had served as his interpreter due to Ieshige's speech impediment. With Tadamitsu's passing, Ieshige found it increasingly difficult to continue governing effectively.

Following his father's retirement, Ieharu officially received the title of Shogun on September 2, 1760. Concurrently, he was promoted to the court rank of Shō-nii (Senior Second Rank) and appointed Naidaijin (Inner Minister), while retaining his position as Ukon'e Taishō (Major General of the Right Division of the Inner Palace Guards). This marked the official commencement of his twenty-six-year tenure as the head of the Tokugawa shogunate.

5. Reign and Rule

Upon assuming the shogunate, Tokugawa Ieharu largely followed his father's dying wish to rely heavily on Tanuma Okitsugu. Initially, Tanuma served as Ieharu's Sobayōnin (Grand Chamberlain), working alongside the senior Rōjū (Council of Elders), Matsudaira Takemoto. However, after Matsudaira Takemoto's death, Ieharu elevated Tanuma to the position of Rōjū, entrusting him with significant control over the bakufu's administration. As Tanuma's influence grew, Ieharu increasingly withdrew from active governance, often immersing himself in personal hobbies such as Shogi (Japanese chess).

Tanuma Okitsugu's administration, often termed the "Tanuma-jidai" (田沼時代_Tanuma-jidai^Japanese), was characterized by a push for bold mercantilist policies aimed at stimulating the Japanese economy. His initiatives included large-scale land reclamation projects, such as the draining of Inbanuma and Teganuma to create new rice paddies. He also envisioned ambitious development plans for Ezochi (present-day Hokkaido) and sought to expand trade relations, notably with Russia.

While these policies aimed at economic growth, Tanuma's rule was widely criticized for its perceived corruption. It was rumored that bribery became rampant within the bakufu, and that securing high-ranking positions often required illicit payments to Tanuma Okitsugu. This perception of widespread corruption under Tanuma's influence led to a negative public image of his administration, despite its efforts to modernize the economy. The concentration of power in Tanuma's hands and the allegations of his corrupt practices are often seen as a departure from the more austere and traditional governance emphasized by earlier Tokugawa shoguns like Yoshimune.

6. Major Events and Disasters during Reign

Tokugawa Ieharu's reign was a period of significant political, social, and economic changes, alongside devastating natural calamities that profoundly impacted Japanese society.

7. Succession Issue

A critical succession crisis arose during Ieharu's reign following the untimely death of his designated heir, Tokugawa Iemoto. Iemoto, Ieharu's eldest son by his concubine Ochiho no Kata (Renkoin), died suddenly at the age of 18 in February 1779 (An'ei 8). This left Ieharu without a direct male heir, as his other biological sons had died in infancy, and his younger brother, Tokugawa Shigeyoshi of the Shimizu branch of the Gosankyō, also had no children.

The absence of a clear successor posed a significant problem for the stability of the shogunate. After observing Iemoto's third death anniversary in February 1781 (An'ei 10/Tenmei 1), Ieharu tasked three key officials-Rōjū Tanuma Okitsugu, Wakadoshiyori Sakai Tadayasu, and Rusui Yoda Masatsugu-with the responsibility of selecting an adopted heir.

On May 18, 1781, their selection fell upon Toyochiyo (豊千代_Toyochiyo^Japanese), the eldest son of Tokugawa Harusada of the Hitotsubashi branch of the Gosankyō. Toyochiyo was subsequently renamed Tokugawa Ienari on November 2 of the same year. He was formally appointed Jū-nii Gonnadainagon (Junior Second Rank, Provisional Major Counselor) on April 2, 1782 (Tenmei 2), solidifying his position as the shogun's successor.

Tanuma Okitsugu played a pivotal role in Ienari's selection, and for his efforts in resolving the succession issue, he was rewarded by Ieharu with an additional 10.00 K Koku in July 1781. Historian Kitajima Masamoto has suggested that there might have been underlying political maneuvering in this succession decision. He posits that Tanuma Okitsugu, through his brother Tanuma Okimasa and his son Tanuma Okimune, had established close ties with the Hitotsubashi-Tokugawa family, potentially creating a favorable environment for Ienari's selection and indicating a possible collusion between Tanuma and Harusada to secure the shogunal succession.

8. Personal Life and Interests

Despite his role as shogun, Tokugawa Ieharu was known for entrusting much of the political administration to his retainers, particularly Tanuma Okitsugu, and dedicating a considerable amount of his time to personal interests and hobbies. While some historians interpret this as a lack of motivation for governance, others argue that it was a deliberate delegation to capable hands, allowing him to pursue his passions.

Ieharu possessed notable talents in academic and artistic fields. He was skilled in calligraphy and painting. His greatest passion, however, was Shogi (Japanese chess). He was an avid player and was even granted the rank of 7-dan, a high honor. Surviving game records indicate that while his playing style was "light" and "skillful," some modern evaluations suggest his actual playing strength was closer to that of a high-level amateur, implying that his opponents might have played more leniently against the shogun. Ieharu also contributed to the game by coining new Shogi terminology, such as using the Japanese syllabary "iroha-ni-ho-he-to-chi-ri-nu-ru-wo" to denote squares on the board. His talent truly shone in the composition of Tsume Shogi (endgame puzzles). He authored a collection of 100 puzzles titled "御撰象棊攷格_{Gosen Shogi Kōkaku}^Japanese". Even renowned professional Shogi player Futakami Tatsuya, who was critical of Ieharu's actual playing skill, highly praised his Tsume Shogi compositions as "masterpieces." Ieharu also enjoyed playing Nanagoku Shogi (Seven Countries Chess). However, it is also said that he sometimes exhibited poor sportsmanship, reportedly taking "matta" (take-backs) during difficult positions in his games.

Anecdotes about Ieharu reveal aspects of his character and daily habits. Despite being shogun, he was known for his frugal lifestyle. He reportedly woke up early, often before the official 6 AM rising time, and would quietly pace in his quarters, careful not to make noise until the appointed hour. Similarly, when he needed to use the latrine, he would walk silently to avoid disturbing the on-duty attendants. He consciously strove to emulate his revered grandfather, Yoshimune, as a benevolent ruler. He would even inquire if Yoshimune had consumed any new or unusual foods presented to him, demonstrating his adherence to his grandfather's principles. He further exemplified frugality by reducing the expenses of the Ōoku (the shogun's inner palace, primarily housing women) by as much as 30% compared to Yoshimune's time. Like Yoshimune, he also frequently engaged in falconry.

A story highlights his compassion: during a heavy rainstorm, Ieharu noticed a close attendant sighing while looking at the sky. Upon inquiring, he learned that the attendant's impoverished home was leaking, causing distress to his parents. When asked how much it would cost to repair, the attendant estimated 100 ryō. Ieharu secretly summoned the attendant and, instructing him to "fulfill your filial piety," presented him with the money.

Ieharu was exceptionally devoted to his official wife, Iso no Miya Tomoko, which was rare among Tokugawa shoguns. Despite having two daughters with her (an unusual number for a shogun's principal wife), they did not have a surviving son. His close retainers urged him to take concubines to secure a male heir, but he was initially reluctant. He eventually agreed to take concubines only on the condition that Tanuma Okitsugu also take one. After his concubines bore sons, particularly after the birth of his heir Iemoto, he reportedly stopped visiting them, and Iemoto was raised by Iso no Miya Tomoko.

Ieharu also met with Isaac Titsingh, the head of the Dutch East India Company's trading post (Opperhoofd or Kapitan) at Dejima, reflecting the limited but significant foreign contact during his era.

9. Death

Tokugawa Ieharu died in Edo Castle on September 17, 1786 (Tenmei 6, 8th day of the 9th month of the lunar calendar). He was 50 years old by traditional Japanese reckoning (49 full years). His official burial site is at Kan'ei-ji in Ueno, Edo.

The circumstances surrounding Ieharu's death are shrouded in mystery and controversy, with official records being notably vague. While the official cause of death was attributed to cardiac beriberi (heart failure due to beriberi) or dropsy (edema) and a cold, contemporary accounts suggest a more sudden and suspicious demise. Ieharu had reportedly suffered from swollen legs in his later years. Although he attended a morning meeting on August 1, 1786, his health deteriorated rapidly thereafter. On August 15, he was too ill to attend the morning assembly, an unprecedented occurrence in his 26-year reign, causing widespread alarm among his retainers.

The official record, "Tokugawa Jikki_{Tokugawa Jikki}^Japanese", states his death occurred on September 8, 1786, around 10:00 AM. However, it was customary for the deaths of high-ranking individuals to be kept secret for about a month. Historian Kitajima Masamoto suggests that Ieharu might have died earlier, possibly on August 25. This theory is supported by the fact that Tanuma Okitsugu, Ieharu's trusted minister, secluded himself on August 22 and was dismissed from his post on August 27. It is argued that Ieharu would not have dismissed such a trusted figure if he were still alive. Furthermore, the "Tokugawa Jikki" mentions a general assembly on September 8 to inquire about Ieharu's health, followed by the official announcement of his death, which suggests a pre-planned revelation rather than a spontaneous event.

Conflicting dates for his death also exist, including August 20, August 25, and September 7. The August 20 theory, based on the "Okina-gusa_Okina-gusa^Japanese" chronicle, claims Ieharu "collapsed" on that night. However, the author of "Okina-gusa" was in Kyoto at the time, raising doubts about how he could have known such a critical detail, leading to suspicions that it might have been speculation linked to poisoning rumors. The August 25 theory, based on the "Tenmei Kōsetsu_{Tenmei Kōsetsu}^Japanese" historical record, cites a direct account from Ōki Ichizaemon, a shogunal guard, who reported sudden commotion in Edo Castle at dawn on August 25, with doctors and his heir Ienari rushing to his side, concluding that Ieharu died that morning. The "Tokugawa Jikki" conspicuously lacks any entry for August 25, but states on August 26 that his condition worsened, which could be interpreted as a deliberate omission to conceal the actual death date.

The most sensational theory surrounding his death is that of poisoning, widely circulated at the time and recorded in contemporary documents. Ieharu's initial physician, Kōno Senjuin, failed to improve his condition. On August 15, Ōyagi Den'an took over. However, on August 16, Tanuma Okitsugu recommended two town doctors, Wakabayashi Keijun and Hinata Tōan, who were accepted by Ieharu and even promoted on August 19. According to accounts, Ieharu's condition rapidly worsened after receiving medicine prepared by Wakabayashi on August 19. Ōyagi Den'an then resumed preparing medicine on August 20, but Ieharu reportedly died on August 25.

The "Tenmei Kōsetsu_{Tenmei Kōsetsu}^Japanese" describes Ieharu's body after death as "trembling violently" and him "vomiting blood profusely," indicating an "abnormal death." The "Okina-gusa_Okina-gusa^Japanese" explicitly records that "thousands of women in the Ōoku openly cursed Tanuma Tonomo-no-kami (Okitsugu), saying he gave poison to the Lord." These accounts suggest that Ieharu's death was not natural and was intertwined with political machinations, lending credence to the possibility of poisoning.

10. Evaluation and Legacy

The historical evaluation of Tokugawa Ieharu's reign is complex and often intertwined with the assessment of his chief minister, Tanuma Okitsugu. Traditional views often portray Ieharu as a "dark ruler" or "unmotivated shogun" who largely delegated governance to others while indulging in personal hobbies. This perspective suggests that his lack of direct involvement in political affairs led to the perceived corruption and mismanagement of the "Tanuma-jidai."

However, a contrasting view argues that Ieharu's decision to heavily rely on and promote Tanuma Okitsugu was, in fact, a "wise decision" (英断_eidan^Japanese). Proponents of this view contend that Tanuma's bold mercantilist policies, which included land reclamation and plans for developing Hokkaido and foreign trade, were groundbreaking and necessary for Japan's economic development. They argue that these ambitious reforms could only have been implemented with the unwavering support and backing of the shogun. The fact that Tanuma's political influence collapsed immediately after Ieharu's death is often cited as evidence of the shogun's crucial role in enabling Tanuma's administration.

Therefore, the "dark ruler" assessment of Ieharu is often seen as a direct consequence of the negative perception of Tanuma Okitsugu's administration, particularly concerning allegations of corruption and the social unrest caused by the severe famines and natural disasters during their tenure. Even as modern historical scholarship has begun to re-evaluate Tanuma's economic policies more favorably, acknowledging their forward-thinking nature, Ieharu's own evaluation has been slower to shift from the traditional negative narrative.

Ultimately, Ieharu's legacy is characterized by a period of significant economic experimentation under Tanuma, marked by both innovative policies and pervasive corruption, alongside devastating natural calamities that led to widespread suffering. His reign represents a critical juncture in the Edo period, where the shogunate grappled with internal political struggles, economic challenges, and the immense human cost of natural disasters, shaping the path for subsequent administrations.

11. Family Tree and Genealogy

This section provides a detailed genealogical chart of Tokugawa Ieharu's ancestry and immediate family, illustrating his lineage and connections within the Tokugawa clan.

12. Eras during Reign

The years during which Tokugawa Ieharu served as shogun are identified by the following Japanese era names (nengō_nengō^Japanese):

• Hōreki (宝暦_Hōreki^Japanese): 1751-1764
• Meiwa (明和_Meiwa^Japanese): 1764-1772
• An'ei (安永_An'ei^Japanese): 1772-1781
• Tenmei (天明_Tenmei^Japanese): 1781-1789