Tokugawa Tsunayoshi

Tokugawa Tsunayoshi was the fifth shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty of Japan. He was the younger brother of Tokugawa Ietsuna, as well as the son of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the grandson of Tokugawa Hidetada, and the great-grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Tsunayoshi is known for instituting animal protection laws, particularly for dogs. This earned him the nickname of "the dog shogun". He had a dog named Takemaru. Tsunayoshi was born on February 23, 1646, in Edo. He was the son of Tokugawa Iemitsu by one of his concubines, named Otama, later known as Keishōin. Tsunayoshi had an elder brother already five years old, who would become the next shogun after Iemitsu's death, Tokugawa Ietsuna. Tsunayoshi was born in Edo and after his birth moved in with his mother to her own private apartments in Edo Castle. Tsunayoshi was not trained as a warrior, but as a scholar. He excelled in classical Chinese, poetry, and Confucianism. He also had a strong interest in Buddhism and studied under the monk Ryōkei. Tsunayoshi became the shogun in 1680, after the death of his brother Ietsuna. He faced several challenges during his reign, such as natural disasters, famines, epidemics, corruption, and peasant uprisings. He tried to reform the administration and the economy, and to promote education and culture. He supported the development of arts and sciences, and patronized many scholars and artists. He also encouraged the publication of books and the compilation of historical records. He was especially fond of the Chinese classics and the works of Zhu Xi, a Neo-Confucian philosopher. Tsunayoshi's most controversial policy was his series of edicts for the protection of living beings, especially dogs. He believed that he was the reincarnation of Bodhisattva Jizō, the guardian of animals and children, and that he had a karmic connection with dogs. He ordered that no one should harm or kill any animal, and that dogs should be treated with respect and care. He even provided food, shelter, and medical care for thousands of stray dogs in Edo, and appointed officials to oversee their welfare. He also banned the consumption of meat and the hunting of animals. These edicts were unpopular among the people, who suffered from poverty and hunger, and saw the dogs as a nuisance and a burden. Tsunayoshi's edicts also applied to humans, and he prohibited the execution of criminals and the abortion of fetuses. He tried to reduce the violence and bloodshed in the society, and to promote benevolence and compassion. He also enacted laws to protect the rights and interests of women, children, and commoners. He abolished the practice of concubinage for the samurai class, and granted women the right to inherit property and to divorce. He also regulated the prices of goods and services, and prohibited the exploitation of tenants and workers. He also attempted to reform the military system, and to reduce the power and influence of the daimyōs, the feudal lords. He imposed strict rules of conduct and etiquette on the samurai, and required them to perform various duties and services for the shogunate. He also ordered the daimyōs to reside in Edo for longer periods, and to spend more money on public works and ceremonies. He also restricted their travel and communication, and monitored their activities and alliances. Tsunayoshi's policies were often met with resistance and criticism, both from the samurai and the commoners. Some of his officials and advisers were corrupt and incompetent, and some of his relatives and allies were involved in plots and scandals. He also faced several external threats, such as the invasion of the Ryūkyū Kingdom by the Satsuma Domain in 1609, and the rebellion of the Shimabara Domain in 1637. He also had to deal with the relations with foreign countries, such as China, Korea, and the Netherlands. He maintained a policy of isolation and limited trade, but he also sent several embassies and missions to these countries, and received their envoys and gifts. Tsunayoshi died on February 19, 1709, at the age of 62. He was succeeded by his nephew, Tokugawa Ienobu, the son of his brother Tokugawa Tsunashige. He was buried at the Kan'ei-ji temple in Edo, where his tomb still stands today. Tsunayoshi is regarded as one of the most influential and controversial shoguns in Japanese history. He has been praised for his cultural achievements and his compassion for living beings, but he has also been criticized for his extravagance and his obsession with dogs. He has been the subject of many works of literature, art, and drama, and his legacy is still debated and discussed by historians and scholars.