Tokugawa Ieyasu

Reign: 1603 – 1605
Life: 1543–1616

The son of a minor daimyo, Ieyasu once lived as a hostage under daimyo Imagawa Yoshimoto on behalf of his father. He later succeeded as daimyo after his father's death, serving as ally, vassal, and general of the Oda clan, and building up his strength under Oda Nobunaga. After Oda Nobunaga's death, Ieyasu was briefly a rival of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, before declaring his allegiance to Toyotomi and fighting on his behalf. He built his castle in the fishing village of Edo (now Tokyo). He became the most powerful daimyo and the most senior officer under the Toyotomi regime. After Hideyoshi's death and the Battle of Sekigahara, Ieyasu seized power in 1600.

During Tokugawa Ieyasu's reign, Ahmed I ruled Ottoman Empire, Akbar ruled Mughal Empire, and James VI and I ruled England.

Further reading: Tokugawa Ieyasu: The Shogun Who United Japan by Stephen Turnbull

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Tokugawa Ieyasu

The World During Their Reign

Meanwhile in history

Further Reading

Tokugawa Ieyasu: The Shogun Who United Japan

Shogun: The Life of Tokugawa Ieyasu