 | |
| Tokugawa Hidetada | |
| Born: | May 2, 1579 |
|---|---|
| Place of Birth: | Unknown |
| Died: | March 14, 1632 |
| Cause of Death: | Unknown |
| Place of Death: | Unknown |
| Style name: | 徳川 秀忠 |
| Served: | Tokugawa |
| Participation(s): | Siege of Ueda castle (1600) Siege of Osaka Castle |
Tokugawa Hidetada (徳川 秀忠) was the third son of Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was the second shōgun of the Tokugawa shōgunate.
Biography[]
In 1600, during the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa Hidetada led an army from Edo with the intention of joining his father, Tokugawa Ieyasu. During the march, he diverted his forces to besiege Ueda Castle, which was defended by Sanada Masayuki and Sanada Yukimura. After an unsuccessful assault, Hidetada abandoned the siege; however, the resulting delay was significant enough that he failed to arrive at Sekigahara in time to take part in the battle[1] and reached the area five days later. Tokugawa Ieyasu reportedly reacted with considerable anger to this failure.[2]
In 1605, Tokugawa Ieyasu formally resigned from the position of shōgun in favor of Tokugawa Hidetada. Despite this transition, Ieyasu continued to exercise substantial political authority,[3] while Hidetada remained in Edo and assumed responsibility for the routine administration of government. Ieyasu retired to Sunpu, his childhood home, from where he continued to direct major policy decisions. Contemporary accounts indicate that he consistently treated Hidetada with respect, and that the relationship between father and son remained cooperative and amicable.[4]
In 1614, Ieyasu and Hidetada issued an edict ordering the expulsion of Christian priests. The decree also mandated the destruction of churches and required Christian samurai to renounce their faith. Farmers and artisans, however, were permitted to remain Christian if they so chose.[5]
Tokugawa Hidetada later restored his military reputation through his role in the Siege of Osaka Castle, where he fought alongside his father. During this campaign, his heraldry consisted of white banners bearing three mon.[6]
Sources[]
- ↑ Samurai Sourcebook, Stephen Turnbull, p. 251
- ↑ Giants of Japan: The Lives of Japan's Most Influential Men and Women, Mark Weston, pg. 159
- ↑ A History of Japan, Kenneth G. Henshall, p. 53
- ↑ Giants of Japan: The Lives of Japan's Most Influential Men and Women, Mark Weston, pg. 160
- ↑ Giants of Japan: The Lives of Japan's Most Influential Men and Women, Mark Weston, pg. 161
- ↑ Samurai Sourcebook, Stephen Turnbull, p. 85