Tokugawa Tsunayoshi

Tokugawa Tsunayoshi (徳川 綱吉 February 23, 1646-February 19, 1709) was the fifth shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty of Japan. He was the younger brother of Tokugawa Ietsuna, thus making him the son of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the grandson of Tokugawa Hidetada, and the great-grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Early Years and Maternal Influence (1646-1680)

Tokugawa Tsunayoshi was born on February 23, 1646, in Edo. He was the son of Tokugawa Iemitsu by one of his concubines. Tsunayoshi had an elder brother already seven 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 is believed to have been at least moderately mentally retarded, due to heavy inbreeding in the Tokugawa family.

Related Topics:
February 23 - 1646 - Tokugawa Iemitsu - Edo Castle

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While his father was shogun, his mother was an adopted daughter of the Honjo family, led by Honjo Munemasa, in Kyoto. Her birth parents had been grocers in Kyoto. This remarkable woman was very close with Tsunayoshi in his young years, and while his older brother Ietsuna began to rely on regents for much of his reign, Tsunayoshi did exactly the opposite, relying on his remarkable mother for advice until her death.

Related Topics:
Honjo family - Honjo Munemasa

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In 1651, Shogun Iemitsu died when Tsunayoshi was only five years old. His elder brother, Tokugawa Ietsuna, became shogun. For the most part, Tsunayoshi's life during the reign of his brother Shogun Ietsuna is unknown, but he never advised his brother.

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