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.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Tokugawa Ieyasu: The Shogun Who United Japan by Stephen Turnbull

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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

Go deeper on Tokugawa Ieyasu

Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.

Tokugawa Ieyasu: The Shogun Who United Japan

Stephen Turnbull

Turnbull on the victor of Sekigahara who closed the Sengoku era and founded the Edo shogunate.

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Shogun: The Life of Tokugawa Ieyasu
A. L. Sadler
Sadler's classic biography, dated in parts but still rich on Ieyasu's politics and character.
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