Ieyasu Tokugawa is the main character in the 2023 historical drama “What Will Ieyasu Do?” (in Japanese “Dousuru Ieyasu”) played by Jun Matsumoto. Tokugawa Ieyasu is known as the man who brought an end to the Sengoku period (warring states period) and brought peace to Japan over the next 260 years. His achievements and military exploits are illustrious. However, the image we know of him is one that has been built by the Japanese people over a long period of time. Through the episodes presented here, we can catch a glimpse of Tokugawa Ieyasu as a person. What kind of person was the real Ieyasu?
Tokugawa Ieyasu a open-minded, curious, and studious man
A clock enthusiast in the Sengoku period
Ieyasu is known to have taken a keen interest in clocks in his later years, and an important cultural property, a western-style clock, is in the collection of Kunozan Toshogu Shrine.
In 1609, during the Keicho era, a Spanish ship carrying 373 sailors drifted ashore in Onjuku, Chiba Prefecture. The people of Iwawada, under the lordship of the Honda clan, came to the rescue of the ship’s crew. As a token of gratitude two years later, King Philip III of Spain presented Ieyasu with this Western clock.
The clock was made by Hans de Ebaro in Madrid in 1581, and is known as the oldest surviving spring-driven mechanical clock in Japan. It is also said that Ieyasu owned hourglasses and sundials, showing his inquisitive nature.
A martial arts expert despite his appearance
Ieyasu received instruction in swordsmanship from Okudaira Kuga and learned the Shinkage-ryu fencing style from Yagyu Muneyoshi in 1594. On one occasion, Muneyoshi demonstrated his unarmed technique, leaping into the bosom of the opponent before the opponent’s sword could swing down. This technique, known as “mutodori,” involves seizing the opponent’s sword before it gains momentum. When Ieyasu engaged in a match with Muneyoshi, it is said that he was completely defenseless and easily had his wooden sword taken away. Ieyasu was deeply impressed by Muneyoshi’s swordsmanship.
Moreover, Ieyasu enjoyed falconry and devoted himself to horsemanship. He mastered the Ootsubo-ryu style of horseback riding and excelled in marksmanship with firearms and archery.
Devoted to Amida Buddhism
While maintaining a fair attitude towards various religious sects, Tokugawa Ieyasu personally adhered to the Joudo sect. It is said that he inscribed the six-syllable name of Amida Buddha, ‘Namu Amida Butsu,’ in six stages. (Source: Tokyo National Museum, Colbase)”
Ieyasu was a believer in Joudo Buddhism. This was not surprising, since the Matsudaira clan’s family temple was the Daiju-ji in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture.
In 1560, during the Battle of Okehazama, when Oda Nobunaga defeated Imagawa Yoshimoto, Ieyasu, who had allied with the Imagawa clan, attempted to commit suicide at Daiju-ji.
At that time, he was persuaded to abandon the idea of suicide by the chief priest, who bestowed upon him a military flag inscribed with the words “Enlightenment in the Pure Land, Aspiration for the Pure Land.” It is said that in his later years, Ieyasu recited the Namu Amida Butsu (Homage to Amida Buddha) as part of his daily practice, and a handwritten copy of his daily prayers with the words “Namu Amida Butsu” is still extant.
When Ieyasu passed away, his body was buried on Mount Kuno according to the Yoshida Shinto rituals. However, a memorial tablet was enshrined at Daiju-ji. His mother, Odai, had her funeral held at the Chion-in Temple in Kyoto and was buried at the Denzuin Temple in Edo (now Tokyo).
Surprisingly, Ieyasu was a progressive thinker !
Ieyasu is often associated with a closed-off image due to policies such as the sakoku (national isolation) policy. However, the sakoku policy itself was initiated by the second shogun, Hidetada, and the third shogun, Iemitsu. Ieyasu himself was a progressive thinker who actually embraced foreign influences. Ieyasu’s favorite pencil is in the collection of the Kunouzan Toushougu Shrine. This pencil is the oldest in Japan, with a Mexican graphite lead and a red oak wood shaft, and measures approximately 6 cm in length. It is believed to have been a gift from Spain, Mexico, or the Philippines.
A pair of glasses said to have been used by Ieyasu is also in the collection of the Kunouzan Toushougu Shrine. They are extremely valuable as ancient eyeglasses in Japan. The lens has a diameter of about 4 cm and the frame, that is worn on the nose, has a width of about 9 cm. It is said that Ieyasu used them in his later years. Both items are designated as important cultural properties. Additionally, Ieyasu possessed a compass with gold and silver inlay, as well as a balance.
Fondness for shogi and go
It appears that Ieyasu also had an inclination towards the game of Go, as during the Edo period, skillful Go players began receiving stipends from the shogunate. (Source: “shuhanron emaki”, held at the National Diet Library)”
Ieyasu is known for his love of shogi (Japanese chess) and go (a board game).
Aside from Ieyasu’s skill in shogi, it is known that he protected and supported shogi players. In 1612, Ieyasu granted a stipend to the shogi player Ohashi Sokei. It is said that Ohashi was named by Oda Nobunaga himself. In the same year, Ohashi received the title of 1st Shogi Meijin (chess master) after receiving the shogi dojo from Honinbo Sansa. Subsequently, shogi came under the control of a hereditary system, receiving the patronage of the shogunate.
In the 15th year of the Tensho era (1587), Ieyasu invited Honinbo Sansa, who was renowned in the game of go, from Kyoto to Sunpu. It is said that Ieyasu’s son-in-law, Okudaira Nobumasa, studied under Honinbo in Kyoto and brought him to Sunpu when he moved there. In 1612, Honinbo, like Ohashi, received a stipend from Ieyasu.
Ieyasu excelled in academics in acquiring knowledge
It is well-known that Ieyasu had a passion for learning.
Fujiwara Seika, considered the father of Confucianism in Japan, gave lectures at Ieyasu’s invitation. Subsequently, Confucianism became the dominant ideology then on. After Seika’s retirement, his disciple Hayashi Razan became his successor and served under Hidetada and Iemitsu.
William Adams, an Englishman who drifted in Japan, imparted knowledge of geometry, mathematics, and navigation to Ieyasu.
Additionally, Ieyasu studied various works, such as “The Analects of Confucius“, “The Essentials of Governance“, “Engishiki”, “Azuma Kagami,” and “The Tale of Genji.” His thirst for knowledge was such that he established the Momijiyama Bunko, a library, within Edo Castle.
Supervised and Written by Watanabe Daimon
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