Tokugawa Ieyasu

In short

From Okazaki to Edo

Ieyasu was born in 1542 at Okazaki Castle in Mikawa Province. His childhood name was Takechiyo.

In 1582, when Oda Nobunaga was killed at Honno-ji, Ieyasu was in Sakai and hurried home.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who went on to unify the country, made Ieyasu serve him. In 1590 Hideyoshi ordered Ieyasu to move to the Kanto region, and Ieyasu entered Edo Castle that year.

Sekigahara and the shogunate

In 1600, at the Battle of Sekigahara, the Western army was badly beaten, and Ieyasu’s side won.

In 1603 Ieyasu was named Seii Taishogun (shogun). In 1605 he gave up the post, and his son Hidetada became shogun.

Ieyasu died in 1616.

A leader who loved books

Ieyasu was a great warrior and politician, and he also valued learning. He read Chinese classics such as the Analects, history books and books on war.

He had books printed with wooden type at Fushimi, and with copper type at Sunpu Castle.

Think about it

• Q1Ieyasu gave the post of shogun to his son only two years after he got it. Why might he have done that?
• Q2Why do you think a warrior leader wanted to print books?
• Q3Choose one event in Ieyasu’s life. What might have happened if it had gone the other way?

There is no single right answer. Talking it over with someone at home is a good way to learn.