| The
great shogun Tokugawa established a central military government that lasted for 250 years
of the Edo, or Tokugawa period (1603 to 1867). This period is called "Edo" because the Tokugawa clan established the
central military government and their residential seat in the town of Edo (now Tokyo). It
is also call the "Tokugawa" period (or, the "Age of Shoguns") because
members of the clad ruled the country as shoguns for three centuries.
In 1603 Ieyasu Tokugawa was
appointed Se-i-tai-shogun ("Barbarian-subduing Generalissimo), abbreviated
"shogun", a title designating the apex of political power in the military
administration of the country. The status of shogun came to manifest supreme authority in
all affairs of state--political and economic, as well as military. |
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Tokugawa
was born in troubled times, when the country was torn by civil war among rival regional
lords defending their local authority. By virtue of his personal qualities and with force
of arms, he gained the office of shogun through a succession victories in the fierce
struggle for power. Sixty-two
years old when he was appointed shogun, he died 13 years later at the age of 75. Even
after his death, peace and stability continued through the "Age of the Shoguns."
Tokugawa was posthumously honored
as the founder of the Edo period and Tokugawa rule; he was deified and worshipped as
To-sho-go, the Sun God of the East. |
