Who was this person?
The 13th shōgun of the late Edo period. Said to be frail, he stood amid the shōgunal succession dispute and politics on the eve of the Ansei Purge. He held office around the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the United States and died after a short tenure.
| Name | Tokugawa Iesada (徳川家定) |
|---|---|
| Born–died | 1824 – 1858 |
| Period | Late Edo (Bakumatsu) |
| Birthplace | Edo |
| Main achievements |
|
He was born in the Western Enclosure of Edo Castle as the fourth son of the 12th shogun Tokugawa Ieyoshi. Because his elder brothers died young, he alone of the sons reached adulthood. Frail from childhood, he is said to have been raised amid constant worry about his health.
When his father Ieyoshi became shogun, Iesada was named heir despite frail health. He received education as future shogun in the Western Enclosure but is said rarely to have appeared in public. The council prepared the succession while worrying about his health.
On his father Ieyoshi's death he became the 13th shogun, taking office amid the crisis just after Perry's arrival. Under a frail shogun, negotiations and decisions were often left to senior councilors and the great elder.
The Treaty of Peace and Amity with the United States was concluded, opening ports such as Shimoda and Hakodate. It proceeded in Iesada's name, though he did not personally direct the details. The seclusion system began to break down.
He received Atsuhime (Tenshōin), adopted daughter of Shimazu Nariakira, as his consort. The match also strengthened ties with Satsuma. It drew attention as a marriage supporting shogunal authority, but worries about Iesada's health continued.
With no heir of his own, a fierce shogunal succession dispute broke out over who should be next shogun. Supporters of Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu clashed with the Nanki faction backing Tokugawa Yoshitomi (Iemochi) of Kii, and politics were badly shaken.
Ii Naosuke, lord of Hikone, became great elder and strengthened a Nanki-leaning policy. It was just before authoritarian moves such as signing treaties without imperial sanction and suppressing opponents. Power within the council shifted while Iesada lay ill.
The Ansei treaties including the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the United States were concluded. Opening ports and expanding trade sparked major debate at home. Treaties advanced in Iesada's name later became fuel for political conflict.
Tokugawa Yoshitomi of Kii, later Iemochi, was named the next shogun. Hitotsubashi hopes were set aside and the Nanki faction prevailed. Right after the decision, Iesada's illness grew worse.
He died of illness at Edo Castle at the age of thirty-four. His reign was short, ending amid treaties and the succession dispute. Under successor Iemochi and great elder Ii Naosuke, Bakumatsu politics grew still more intense.
A. The 13th shōgun of the late Edo period. Said to be frail, he stood amid the shōgunal succession dispute and politics on the eve of the Ansei Purge. He held office around the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the United States and died after a short tenure.
A. Period: Late Edo (Bakumatsu). Born in 1824, died in 1858.
A. Tokugawa Iesada was born in Edo.
A. Opinion split between the Ōoku and fudai versus major domains over whether the next shōgun should be Yoshitomi of Kii or Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu, shaking politics. After Iesada's death Yoshitomi (Iemochi) became shōgun.
See also: Wikipedia (ja) / Wikipedia (en) / Wikipedia (fr) / Wikipedia (zh) / Wikidata
Follow this life (autoplay)Tokugawa IeyoshiMatthew C. PerryShimazu NariakiraIi NaosukeAtsuhime (Tenshō-in)Itō GenbokuTownsend HarrisYamauchi Yōdō (Toyoshige)
Date MunenariAbe MasahiroKatsu KaishūŌmura MasujirōJohn ManjirōKusumoto IneKawai TsugunosukeOguri Tadamasa
People of the Edo period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.