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2024-04-06 14:02:27

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Founder and first shōgun of Tokugawa Shogunate
Founder and first shōgun of Tokugawa Shogunate

Tokugawa Ieyasu was a key figure in Japan's history, known as one of the 'Great Unifiers'. He rose to power through alliances and strategic moves, establishing the Tokugawa Shogunate and implementing the bakuhan system.

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1542-01-01
Birth of Tokugawa Ieyasu

Tokugawa Ieyasu, originally named Matsudaira Takechiyo, was born in 1542. He was the son of the lord of the province of Mikawa during a period of civil wars in Japan.

1542-03-31
Birth of Tokugawa Ieyasu

Tokugawa Ieyasu, born on March 31, 1542, was a prominent figure in Japanese history known for his roles as a warrior, statesman, and the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.

1543-01-31
Birth of Tokugawa Ieyasu

Tokugawa Ieyasu, originally born as Matsudaira Takechiyo, was the founder and first shōgun of the Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan. He played a significant role in the unification of Japan and the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

1546
Tokugawa Ieyasu sent as a hostage

At the age of four, Tokugawa Ieyasu was sent as a hostage to secure an alliance between his clan and the neighbouring Imagawa clan. He was raised at their court and received the education befitting a nobleman.

1547
Ieyasu sent as a hostage to the Imagawa family

In 1547, at the age of two, Tokugawa Ieyasu was sent as a hostage to the Imagawa family due to military adversity faced by his father. He was held for two years by members of the rival Oda clan before being released to the Imagawa.

1549
Murder of Ieyasu's father by a close vassal

In 1549, Tokugawa Ieyasu learned that his father had been murdered by a close vassal, leading to the subsequent disintegration of his family fortunes. This event had a significant impact on Ieyasu's early life and future decisions.

1558
First Battle of Tokugawa Ieyasu

After his first battle in 1558, Tokugawa Ieyasu started strengthening his family's position through an alliance with Oda Nobunaga, who was a powerful warrior aiming to reunify Japan.

1560
Imagawa Yoshimoto's Death and Ieyasu's Rise to Power

In 1560, Imagawa Yoshimoto was killed in a battle with Oda Nobunaga, allowing young Ieyasu to take control of his family's castle and establish himself as a leader. He quickly allied with Nobunaga and focused on consolidating power within the Matsudaira domain.

1561
Alliance with Oda Nobunaga

In 1561, Tokugawa Ieyasu formed an alliance with Oda Nobunaga, a powerful warlord. Together, they worked on expanding their territories and strengthening their relationship.

1565
Ieyasu became master of all of Mikawa Province

In 1565, Tokugawa Ieyasu gained control over all of Mikawa Province.

1567
Tokugawa Ieyasu allies with Oda Nobunaga

In 1567, Tokugawa Ieyasu, leader of the Matsudaira clan, formed an alliance with Oda Nobunaga, a powerful neighbor. This alliance marked a significant turning point in Ieyasu's political career.

1569
Ieyasu's troops penetrated into Tōtōmi Province

In 1569, Tokugawa Ieyasu's forces entered Tōtōmi Province as part of his campaign to expand his territory.

1570
Relocation of Headquarters to Hamamatsu

In 1570, Tokugawa Ieyasu moved his headquarters to Hamamatsu, a town he developed into a thriving domain with the help of his alliance with Oda Nobunaga. This strategic move marked his expansion to the east and solidified his control over a significant territory.

1574
Birth of Yūki Hideyasu

Yūki Hideyasu, Tokugawa Ieyasu's second son, was born in 1574.

1575
Battle of Nagashino

In 1575, Takeda Katsuyori attacked Yoshida Castle and besieged Nagashino Castle. Oda Nobunaga came to the aid of Tokugawa Ieyasu with 30,000 troops, resulting in a great victory for the Oda-Tokugawa forces.

1579-05-02
Birth of Tokugawa Hidetada

Tokugawa Ieyasu's third and favorite son, Tokugawa Hidetada, was born on May 2nd, 1579. He later became the second shogun of the Tokugawa Dynasty.

1580-03-22
Second Siege of Takatenjin

The Oda-Tokugawa forces launched the second siege of Takatenjin in 1580, lasting until March 22, 1581. The fortress fell to the Oda-Tokugawa forces after the deaths of 680 men in the garrison.

1582
Escape of Tokugawa Ieyasu from Mitsuhide troops

After the death of Nobunaga, Ieyasu escaped from Akechi Mitsuhide's troops with the help of his retainer Hattori Hanzō. He traveled through various provinces before returning to Mikawa Province by sea.

1584
Battle of Komaki and Nagakute

Ieyasu decided to support Oda Nobukatsu against Toyotomi Hideyoshi, leading to the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute, where negotiations eventually settled the conflict.

1586
Tokugawa Ieyasu Strengthens Position

In 1586, Tokugawa Ieyasu, in an effort to increase his security and distance himself from Hideyoshi, moved his headquarters to Sumpu. This move marked his strategic planning and consolidation of power.

1589
Siege of Odawara

In 1589, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu mobilized a great army and navy to blockade the Hōjō forces in their seaside castle at Odawara. After a long siege, the Hōjō were starved into capitulation, leading to Ieyasu surrendering his coastal provinces in return for the Hōjō domain to the east.

1590
Ieyasu's Construction of Edo Castle

Tokugawa Ieyasu oversaw the transformation of a small fishing village near the ruins of a castle into Edo Castle, a grand structure involving extensive construction work including flattening hills, filling in marshes, and building canals.

1591
Ieyasu relocates to Kantō region

In 1591, Tokugawa Ieyasu gave up control of his five provinces and moved to the Kantō region, specifically occupying the castle town of Edo. This risky move turned out to be successful as he reformed the region, pacified the samurai, and strengthened the economic infrastructure.

1593
Ieyasu summoned to Hideyoshi's court

In early 1593, Tokugawa Ieyasu was called to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's court in Nagoya as a military advisor. He was given command of troops meant as reserves for the Korean campaign, staying in Nagoya for the next five years.

1598
Establishment of Council of Five Elders

In 1598, Hideyoshi became ill and established a Council of Five Elders to govern until his son Hideyori would be old enough to rule.

1600-01-01
Battle of Sekigahara

On January 1, 1600, the Battle of Sekigahara took place, involving Tokugawa Ieyasu. The battle was a result of his conquest of more land and failure to adhere to the rules set by Hideyoshi before his death.

1600-09-08
Capture of Fushimi castle by Mitsunari

On September 8, 1600, Ishida Mitsunari captured Fushimi castle, prompting Ieyasu to take action against Mitsunari and his allies.

1600-09-15
Arrival of Western Army at Ogaki Castle

On September 15, 1600, Ishida Mitsunari's Western Army arrived at Ogaki Castle, further escalating tensions before the Battle of Sekigahara.

1600-09-29
Capture of Gifu Castle by Eastern Army

On September 29, 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu's Eastern Army successfully captured Gifu Castle as part of their strategic movements before the Battle of Sekigahara.

1600-10-07
March of Tokugawa Ieyasu and allies along the Tōkaidō

On October 7, 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu and his allies marched along the Tōkaidō towards the Battle of Sekigahara, while his son Hidetada faced delays in Shinano Province.

1600-10-20
Meeting of Eastern and Western Armies at Sekigahara

On October 20, 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu's Eastern Army confronted Ishida Mitsunari's Western Army at Sekigahara, setting the stage for the decisive Battle of Sekigahara the next day.

1600-10-21
Battle of Sekigahara

The Battle of Sekigahara in October 1600 was a pivotal conflict in Japanese feudal history where Tokugawa Ieyasu's Eastern Army defeated Ishida Mitsunari's Western Army, solidifying Ieyasu's power as the de facto ruler of Japan.

1603
Tokugawa Ieyasu Becomes Shogun

After winning the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa Ieyasu was appointed as the Seii-Tai Shōgun, solidifying his power and influence in Japan.

1603-03-24
Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shōgun

On March 24, 1603, Tokugawa Ieyasu received the title of shōgun from Emperor Go-Yōzei, marking the beginning of his rule and the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate.

1605-01-01
Tokugawa Ieyasu Resigns from Shogunate

On January 1, 1605, Tokugawa Ieyasu resigned from his position as the shogun of Japan. This marked a significant event in Japanese history as he stepped down from his leadership role.

1610-01-01
Missionaries Expelled From Japan

On January 1, 1610, Tokugawa Ieyasu expelled Portuguese and Spanish missionaries from Japan, indicating a shift in the country's religious policies. This action reflected the sentiments of the people towards foreign influences.

1611
Ieyasu's visit to Kyoto and Imperial Court remodeling

In 1611, Tokugawa Ieyasu visited Kyoto to witness the enthronement of Emperor Go-Mizunoo. He ordered the remodeling of the Imperial Court and compelled western daimyo to pledge allegiance to him.

1613
Composition of Kuge shohatto

In 1613, Tokugawa Ieyasu composed the Kuge shohatto, a document that placed court daimyo under strict supervision, reducing their roles to ceremonial figures.

1614
Siege of Osaka

In 1614, Tokugawa Ieyasu laid siege to Osaka Castle against Toyotomi Hideyori, the son and rightful heir to Hideyoshi. The conflict escalated into the Winter Siege of Osaka, followed by the Summer Siege of Osaka, where Ieyasu's forces used negotiation and deception to gain control.

1615-06-08
Siege of Osaka

After the Siege of Osaka in June 1615, Ieyasu ruthlessly eliminated Toyotomi survivors, including an eight-year-old son of Toyotomi Hideyori, to secure his position as the undisputed ruler of Japan.

1616-04-17
Death of Tokugawa Ieyasu

Tokugawa Ieyasu passed away on April 17, 1616. He was later deified and his mausoleum at Nikko became a significant shrine in Japan.

1616-06-01
Death of Tokugawa Ieyasu

Tokugawa Ieyasu passed away on June 1, 1616, after a significant period of leadership and influence in Japan. His death marked the end of an era under his rule.

1617-04-14
Senior First Rank

Tokugawa Ieyasu was posthumously awarded the Senior First Rank honor on April 14, 1617.

1854
Treaty of Kanagawa opens Japanese ports to U.S. ships

In 1854, the Treaty of Kanagawa was signed, allowing U.S. ships to enter Japanese ports. This marked the beginning of increased foreign influence in Japan.

1868
End of Tokugawa Rule and Start of Meiji Era

In 1868, the Tokugawa rule in Japan came to an end, and the Emperor was restored, marking the beginning of the Meiji era. This period saw significant modernization and reforms in Japan.

1967
Politics in the Tokugawa Bakufu, 1600–1843

A scholarly work by Conrad D. Totman in 1967, delving into the political landscape of the Tokugawa Bakufu from 1600 to 1843.

1974
Treasures Among Men: The Fudai Daimyo in Tokugawa Japan

A book written by Harold Bolitho in 1974, focusing on the Fudai Daimyo in Tokugawa Japan, exploring their significance and contributions.

2023
SHOGUN: The Rise of Tokugawa Ieyasu

A book titled 'SHOGUN: The Rise of Tokugawa Ieyasu' written by Charles Kenny was published in 2023. It focuses on the life and rise to power of Tokugawa Ieyasu, a prominent historical figure in Japanese history.

2024
Tokugawa Ieyasu: Life, Afterlife, Material Legacy and Cultural Profile

A book titled 'Tokugawa Ieyasu: Life, Afterlife, Material Legacy and Cultural Profile' written by Rickbed Nandi was published in 2024. The book delves into various aspects of Tokugawa Ieyasu's life, legacy, and cultural impact.

End of the Timeline
Tokugawa Ieyasu

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Tokugawa Ieyasu

Founder and first shōgun of Tokugawa Shogunate
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