Born at Edo castle, the fourth son of the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, who raised him to apply himself to learning.
He became lord of the Tatebayashi domain in Kōzuke (Gunma).
His brother, the fourth shogun Ietsuna, died without an heir, and Tsunayoshi became fifth shogun. At first he governed firmly with the great elder Hotta Masatoshi.
Revising the Laws for Military Houses, he promoted government valuing loyalty, filial piety and propriety over force (civil rule).
From around this time he issued a series of edicts ordering compassion for living creatures. His special care for dogs earned him the name "Dog Shogun", though the edicts are also credited with spreading respect for life.
Valuing Confucianism, he built a hall honouring Confucius at Yushima in Edo and personally lectured daimyō on Confucian texts.
With shogunate finances strained, he had large numbers of gold coins minted with less gold. Revenue rose, but prices climbed and life grew harder for the people.
At Edo castle the Akō lord Asano Naganori attacked Kira Yoshinaka with his sword. Tsunayoshi ordered Asano to commit seppuku that same day, and the next year the Akō rōnin killed Kira.
A great earthquake struck the Kantō, causing heavy damage in Edo.
Mount Fuji erupted violently (the Hōei eruption), burying surrounding villages in volcanic ash.
He died of measles. His reign also saw the flowering of Genroku culture, centred on townspeople.
Tokugawa IemitsuOgiwara ShigehideTokugawa IenobuOgyū SoraiYanagisawa Yoshiyasu
Tokugawa IetsunaIhara SaikakuSeki TakakazuMatsuo BashōChikamatsu MonzaemonArai HakusekiOgata KōrinYanagisawa Yoshiyasu
People of the Edo period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.