Tokugawa Ietsuna

Reign: 1651 – 1680
Life: 1641–1680

He is considered the eldest son of Tokugawa Iemitsu, which makes him the grandson of Tokugawa Hidetada and the great-grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu. At that time his father was shogun in his own right and had enacted several anti-Christian measures after the bloody Shimabara Rebellion of 1637. Though the suppression of this rebellion quelled all serious threats to Tokugawa rule, it was nonetheless an unsure era. After his death, the Tokugawa dynasty was at major risk.

During Tokugawa Ietsuna's reign, Louis XIV of France ruled France, Mehmed IV ruled Ottoman Empire, and Aurangzeb ruled Mughal Empire.

Want to learn more? Further reading

A Brief History of the Samurai by Jonathan Clements

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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From the library

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