The Tokugawa Shōgunate After the Fall of Samurai Japan – How They Survived the 20th Century and What They Do Today?
The Wheel of Fortune
We all know the Tokugawa as the powerful shōguns of Edo-period Japan—a dynasty that ruled the country with an iron hand for 250 years while ensuring an unprecedented era of stability and peace. The history of Edo’s shōguns begins with Tokugawa Ieyasu, who seized power in 1603, establishing the bakufu system and making his clan the rulers of the archipelago. However, we hear much less about what happened to the Tokugawa after the fall of the shōgunate. Did this great clan, which built palaces, led samurai armies, and created strict laws, disappear into the depths of history? Or did they, in the Meiji and Taishō eras—when Japan was rapidly modernizing and old samurai families were fading away—become nothing more than a name in history textbooks?
The last shōgun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, abdicated in 1868 and withdrew into the shadows, yet his lineage endured—not as rulers, but as aristocrats, politicians, and diplomats of the new Japan. His successor, Tokugawa Iesato, was granted the title of prince (公爵, kōshaku) and nearly became prime minister before representing Japan on the international stage. In the Taishō era, the Tokugawa were pillars of Japanese politics, but by the Shōwa era, their influence began to wane—after World War II, the emperor lost his power, and with him, aristocratic titles were abolished. Was this the end? No—despite losing their privileges, the Tokugawa persevered. Today, in the Reiwa era, the clan still exists, and its official head, Tokugawa Iehiro, not only preserves the memory of his ancestors but also plans global exhibitions showcasing Edo’s heritage.
Could history come full circle and restore the Tokugawa to significance in the 21st century? Or are they merely a relic of the past, an echo of an era that has forever faded? In this story of the rise and fall of one of Japan’s most famous clans, we will follow the footsteps of its successive leaders—from Yoshinobu, who had to reconcile with the end of the samurai world, to Iesato, who became a symbol of modern aristocracy, and finally to the present-day Tokugawa, who continue to uphold the history and traditions of their ancestors.
The Rise to Power: Where Did the Tokugawa Clan Come From?
The Clan’s Roots: Heirs of Samurai Legends
In the shadows of burning castles and on the battlefields of medieval Japan, clans were forged that would shape the fate of the archipelago for centuries. Among them, one name—initially obscure—would rise to the heights of power: the Tokugawa. But to fully understand their triumph, we must go back several centuries and trace their distant roots, which run deep into the era of samurai warfare.
Before adopting the now-famous name, the Tokugawa were part of a much older lineage—the Matsudaira clan, which itself descended from even more ancient clans: the Minamoto and the Nitta. The Minamoto, also known as the Seiwa Genji, were direct descendants of Emperor Seiwa (850–881), reaching the peak of their power in the 12th century when Minamoto no Yoritomo established Japan’s first military government—the Kamakura shōgunate. The Nitta, a branch of the Minamoto, were renowned for their unwavering loyalty to the imperial throne, making them eternal rivals of the dominant Ashikaga.
Yet, while the names Minamoto and Nitta struck fear into the hearts of samurai, a new era required a new identity. Thus, the Matsudaira clan emerged—a small but ambitious family from Mikawa Province, strategically located in the heart of Japan. Their fate, however, would change dramatically with the birth of a man who would establish the line of future shōguns.
Matsudaira Chikauji: The Clan’s Origins Amid Mikawa’s Castles
At the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries, Japan was fragmented among hundreds of local daimyō—feudal lords who waged their own small wars. Among them was a man named Matsudaira Chikauji, who, like many samurai of his time, lacked an illustrious lineage but possessed something far more valuable—ambition and determination.
According to legend, Chikauji was a humble monk who abandoned monastic life and took on the name Matsudaira, settling in Mikawa. With cunning and strategic marriages into local families, he gradually consolidated power, laying the foundation for future greatness. His descendants expanded the clan’s influence, yet they remained mere pawns in the grand game of power in Japan. For over a century, the Matsudaira teetered on the edge of survival, sometimes aligning with stronger neighbors, other times fighting for independence.
Many daimyō of this period fell under the growing power of the Imagawa clan, who dominated the region. The Matsudaira’s control was limited, and their castles were mere shadows compared to the fortresses of more powerful families. But in the mid-16th century, a boy was born who would change the fate of his clan—and the history of Japan itself.
The Transformation into Tokugawa: The Clan’s Evolution Under Ieyasu
In 1542, within the walls of Okazaki Castle, a boy was born who was initially named Matsudaira Takechiyo but would later become known to the world as Tokugawa Ieyasu. His childhood was marked by hardship—taken hostage as a child, he was sent first to the Oda clan and then to the powerful Imagawa. He spent years in captivity, learning politics, military strategy, and the art of survival in a world where betrayal was commonplace.
As he grew older, he broke free from Imagawa rule and allied himself with Oda Nobunaga, the legendary warlord who sought to unify Japan. This was the moment of the Matsudaira’s greatest transformation—in 1567, Ieyasu formally abandoned his old surname and adopted a new, more prestigious one: Tokugawa. He claimed that his lineage traced directly back to the Minamoto and that his destiny was far greater than being a mere provincial daimyō.
Under this new name, he embarked on his march to power—building alliances, defeating rivals, and waiting for his moment. When Nobunaga was assassinated and his successor, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, passed away, Ieyasu’s opportunity arrived. In the legendary Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu crushed his enemies and became the de facto ruler of Japan. Three years later, in 1603, the emperor granted him the title of shōgun—a title that had fallen into disrepute due to the failures of previous rulers. Yet, Ieyasu imbued it with a completely new significance. A new era had begun—the Edo period.
The Power of Edo: 250 Years of Dominance and a Golden Age of Peace
The Tokugawa created an empire that endured for two and a half centuries. Their rule was strict but effective—under their leadership, Japan closed itself off from the world, stabilizing the country after decades of civil war. Edo (present-day Tokyo) became the new center of Japan, and the bakuhan system—dividing power between the shōgun and the daimyō—allowed for a lasting order.
During this time, Japan experienced its own golden age—art flourished with ukiyo-e prints, kabuki theater, the tea ceremony, and haiku poetry. The Tokugawa shōguns ruled with an iron hand, suppressing any uprisings, but at the same time, they ensured security and relative prosperity for the people. It was an era in which Japan became a land without war—something it had never experienced before.
The Tokugawa had come a long way—from a little-known Matsudaira family in Mikawa, through the dramatic rise of Ieyasu, to the creation of the longest-lasting shōgunate in Japanese history. But their story did not end with the Edo period—when the shōgunate fell in 1868, the Tokugawa entered an entirely new and unexpected chapter in history.
The Symbolism of the Tokugawa Clan: The Secrets Behind Their Name and Crest
The name Tokugawa (徳川), although it appears to be a simple combination of the characters for "virtue" (徳) and "river" (川), does not have a clear, definitive meaning. Some historians speculate that it may be linked to ancient legends associated with the Kamo clan, from which the Tokugawa family is believed to have descended.
However, the true icon of the Tokugawa was their mon (family crest)—the triple aoi (三つ葉葵, mitsuba aoi). For centuries, this symbol was mistakenly thought to represent holly, but in reality, it depicts the leaves of a plant known as Asarum, or Japanese wild ginger. This emblem was originally associated with the Kamo clan, an ancient family of Shinto priests, further emphasizing the sacred nature of the Tokugawa lineage.
The Tokugawa had come a long way—from an obscure Matsudaira family in Mikawa, through the dramatic rise of Ieyasu and his triumph, to establishing the longest-lasting shōgunate in Japanese history. But the story of their clan did not end with the Edo period—when the shōgunate fell in 1868, their narrative entered a new and entirely different phase.
The History of the Tokugawa Clan from the Fall of the Shōgunate to the Present
Tokugawa Yoshinobu (1867–1913) – The Last Shōgun and the Last Bastion of the Old World
The history of the Tokugawa during the Edo period was a story of absolute power—a system that lasted for two and a half centuries, keeping Japan in the iron grip of the shōguns. But even the most powerful dynasties must eventually confront the whims of fate, and the 19th century brought turbulent changes that did not spare even the Tokugawa. When Western steamships appeared on Japanese waters, bringing not only trade but also the threat of colonization, the established order suddenly seemed unsustainable. At the heart of this chaos stood Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the fifteenth and final shōgun of Japan—a man who possessed all the qualities needed to save his family but who was born several decades too late.
The year was 1866, and Japan was standing at the edge of a precipice. The country was torn between tradition and modernity, between isolation and the necessity of opening up to the world. When Yoshinobu assumed power as the fifteenth shōgun, he knew he had inherited a state on the verge of disaster. He was an intelligent, cunning, and reform-minded leader who understood that the bakufu, in its current form, could not survive. Unlike his predecessors, he was raised in the pro-imperial Mito branch of the Tokugawa family and believed that Japan’s future lay in modernization—not through unconditional submission but through controlled reform.
However, history did not give him the opportunity. In 1867, just a year after his appointment, the Satsuma and Chōshū clans, allied with the young Emperor Meiji, decided to overthrow the Tokugawa regime by force. Facing the approaching storm, Yoshinobu made a bold political move—he voluntarily surrendered power.
The Decision to Abdicate: Strategy or Capitulation?
In November 1867, Yoshinobu did something that no shōgun before him had ever done—he officially relinquished power. The act, known as Taisei Hōkan (大政奉還, "Return of the Government to the Emperor"), was meant to be a masterstroke—it could have saved the Tokugawa’s position by transforming them from ruling shōguns into an aristocratic family with significant political influence in the new Japan. But his enemies had no intention of allowing that.
In reality, handing power back to the emperor did not mark the end of Tokugawa rule—Yoshinobu had hoped to become the first minister of the new government. However, the Satsuma and Chōshū clans, determined to annihilate his family, provoked conflict by attacking Tokugawa residences in Kyoto. In January 1868, the Boshin War broke out—the final struggle between old Japan and the new era (a fascinating episode of this war was the establishment of a new state—Ezo, the one and only democratic samurai republic—read more about it here: The Republic of Ezo – A One-of-a-Kind Samurai Democracy).
The Boshin War and the Fall of Edo: The End of the Samurai Era
The beginning of the war was catastrophic for Yoshinobu. In the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, his forces were decisively defeated, and his authority collapsed. Realizing that he could not fight against the imperial banner, the shōgun fled to Edo and made a dramatic decision—he would avoid further bloodshed and surrender.
A key figure in this moment in history was Katsu Kaishū, one of the Tokugawa’s most brilliant strategists, who negotiated the bloodless handover of Edo to the imperial forces led by the legendary Saigō Takamori. On May 3, 1868, Edo—the Tokugawa stronghold, which had never been conquered—was surrendered without a fight, saving the city from being burned and sparing thousands of lives.
But the price was steep. Yoshinobu was forced to renounce all political ambitions. He was placed under house arrest in his family’s Mito residence, where he spent months completely cut off from the outside world. The last shōgun of Japan did not die in battle, nor did he take his own life as a final act of defiance—he simply fell silent.
Exile in Shizuoka: A Samurai in the Shadows of History
After the Boshin War ended, Yoshinobu was officially pardoned by Emperor Meiji and moved to Shizuoka—the same land where, centuries earlier, his ancestor Tokugawa Ieyasu had begun his rise to power. But instead of plotting against the new government, he embraced the life of a gentleman in quiet retirement.
He devoted himself to passions that were once mere aristocratic pastimes—falconry (takagari, also a favorite hobby of Tokugawa Ieyasu and the great Oda Nobunaga—read more here: Samurai and His Falcon – The Noble Tradition of Takagari Hunting), photography, waka poetry, and playing go. He was a talented photographer, and one of his works won an award in the noble magazine Hana no Kage. For years, he rejected all attempts to draw him back into politics—when Japan’s new leaders wanted to use his name to legitimize reforms, he refused even to visit Tokyo.
Finally, in 1897, Yoshinobu broke his silence and traveled to the capital, where he was warmly received by Emperor Meiji. It was a remarkable meeting—the man who had once been his enemy was now nothing more than a shadow of past power, engaging in a mere ceremonial visit. In 1913, at the age of 77, the last shōgun of Japan passed away, having outlived most of his opponents and witnessing Japan’s transformation into a modern empire.
A Forgotten Political Genius?
How should Tokugawa Yoshinobu be judged? Was he merely a passive observer of the shōgunate’s collapse, or was he a skilled strategist who tried to save his clan, only to be denied by history? His decision to surrender Edo without a fight saved the capital but sealed the fate of his dynasty. His vision of controlled modernization might have allowed Japan to transition peacefully without a civil war—but he was not given the chance.
He was the last shōgun, but he was not the last Tokugawa. After him, the clan would survive—not as rulers, but as aristocrats, diplomats, and guardians of history. And his successor, Tokugawa Iesato, would attempt to reclaim his family's place in a new Japan—but on different terms.
Tokugawa Iesato (1913–1940) – Aristocrat, Diplomat, and Guardian of the Clan's Honor
Born in the Shadow of Defeat
As Tokugawa Yoshinobu retreated into the annals of history, his family needed a new leader—someone who would not only ensure their survival but also find a place for the Tokugawa in a world that had rejected the shōgunate. It could not be a man tainted by the disgrace of the Boshin War. Thus, the choice fell on a child—a four-year-old boy named Kamenosuke, born into the Tayasu branch, one of the collateral lines of the Tokugawa.
When Yoshinobu formally abdicated in 1868, the new government granted young Kamenosuke the title of daimyō of a newly created domain in Shizuoka—but this status lasted only three years. In 1871, when Japan abolished the domain system (han) once and for all, the boy, along with a handful of caretakers and mentors, was relocated to Tokyo. His upbringing was entrusted to an extraordinary woman—Tenshōin Atsuhime, the widow of the thirteenth shōgun, Tokugawa Iesada, who fought tirelessly for the future of the clan.
By 1872, when he moved to the Akasaka district, the Tokugawa were already a mere shadow of their former might. Yet, Atsuhime ensured that her young charge received the best possible education—he was trained in diplomacy, court etiquette, and the art of governance. When Kamenosuke came of age, he took on the name Tokugawa Iesato—a tribute to the great ancestors of his lineage but also a signal of a new era, in which former shōguns had to become loyal servants of the emperor.
A New Path – Loyalty to the Emperor
Throughout his life, Tokugawa Iesato carefully distanced himself from Yoshinobu’s legacy. Officially, he acknowledged that the Tokugawa dynasty was no longer connected to the former shōgunate, and that his family was grateful to Emperor Meiji for their continued survival. In reality, of course, this was a political maneuver—in the new Japan, the only place for the Tokugawa was among the aristocracy loyal to the imperial throne.
At 14 years old, in 1877, he was sent to Great Britain to study political science. This was a symbolic gesture—the last shōgun was a prisoner of the past, but his successor was to become a man of the West. For five years, he studied at prestigious British institutions, learning Western concepts of governance and diplomacy.
In 1884, upon returning to Japan, he was elevated to the rank of 公爵 (kōshaku, duke) in the newly established kazoku (華族) aristocratic system. This was the highest title a former shōgunal family could receive, but it also signified one clear truth—the Tokugawa were no longer rulers, but subjects of the emperor.
Political Career: Between Monarchy and Democracy
In 1903, Iesato assumed one of the most important positions in the country—he became President of the House of Peers (Kizokuin), the upper house of Japan’s Imperial Diet. This marked the peak of his political career, and he held the office for nearly three decades.
As President, Iesato was not just a figurehead—he had the power to shape reforms passing through the Diet and played a key role in major state decisions. In 1914, Emperor Taishō entrusted him with the mission of forming a government as Prime Minister of Japan, but Iesato declined, arguing that in the modern world, power should belong to elected politicians, not hereditary aristocrats.
A Global Diplomat: Shaping Japan’s Image on the International Stage
During World War I, Iesato became one of Japan’s most prominent diplomats. He was a key figure at the Washington Naval Conference of 1921, where he represented Japan in negotiations regarding global power balance and naval disarmament. His European manners, fluency in multiple languages, and diplomatic finesse made him a symbol of Japan as a respected partner on the world stage.
At the same time, he was deeply involved in humanitarian efforts—he served as President of the Japanese Red Cross, organizing relief for earthquake victims and war refugees.
During this time, the Japanese Red Cross also played a crucial role in aiding Poland—hundreds of Polish orphans from Siberia were rescued, fed, treated, and sent back to Poland. (More on this here: Polish Children in Siberia: From Japanese to Polish Soil)
His life came to an end in 1940, as Japan was already marching down the path of brutal military expansion. But at that moment, his son, Tokugawa Iemasa, would face an even greater challenge.
Tokugawa Iemasa (1940–1947) – A Man Between Two Worlds
In the Shadow of War
Tokugawa Iemasa inherited the title of head of the clan in 1940, at a time when Japan was speeding toward the catastrophe of World War II. He was an educated man, a politician, and a diplomat, but the world he had grown up in was falling apart before his eyes.
During the war, he attempted to use his influence to moderate the government’s aggressive policies, but his voice was ignored—Japan was now ruled by military leaders. In 1945, after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Iemasa was one of the first aristocrats to support Japan’s surrender. He knew that resistance would only lead to more suffering.
The Loss of Aristocratic Status
After the war, a new reality emerged—Japan was under American occupation, and Emperor Hirohito was reduced to a mere symbolic head of state. In 1947, General Douglas MacArthur officially abolished the kazoku aristocracy, stripping the Tokugawa family of their titles, lands, and political influence.
This marked the end of an era—a family that had ruled Japan for 250 years was now reduced to ordinary citizens.
The Fate of the Tokugawa Clan After the War
Although Tokugawa Iemasa lost his aristocratic title, he remained active as a writer and intellectual. His sons, grandsons, and other descendants never regained their former power, but they preserved the pride and history of their lineage.
Iemasa was the last Tokugawa to officially hold the title of prince. After him, the Tokugawa ceased to be a political elite, but their name still carried a certain weight—a symbol of a world that once existed but no longer had a place in modern Japan.
Tokugawa Iehide (1947–1959) – The Forgotten Leader
When Tokugawa Iehide assumed the position of head of the clan in 1947, Japan was a nation in ruins—both literally and symbolically. The streets of Tokyo were still covered in rubble, and society struggled to survive in a new world imposed by the Americans. The Tokugawa family, which had once been the backbone of Japan’s order, now held no real power. The abolition of the kazoku (華族) aristocracy through postwar reforms meant that the title of "Head of the Tokugawa Clan" became nothing more than a ceremonial designation.
Iehide was not a politician or a strategist like his ancestors. He was a man of a transitional era—without influence over modern Japan, yet still carrying the burden of the past. At a time when the country was focused on industrialization and democracy, former aristocrats were viewed as relics of a bygone age, no longer fitting into the modern world.
After the war, the structure of Japan’s elite was completely reshaped. Former samurai became businessmen, former daimyō turned into historical curiosities, and the name Tokugawa, in the eyes of younger generations, became associated only with history textbooks. By the 1950s, Japan was experiencing a rapid economic boom—the era of the "economic miracle" had begun, factories were springing up everywhere, but the Tokugawa had no part in it.
Iehide made no attempt to reclaim a political role, nor did he engage in public life. He lived quietly, avoiding the spotlight, and his name rarely appeared in newspapers. He was the last Tokugawa who fully accepted the fate of his family—that their era had ended.
He passed away in 1959, almost unnoticed by the public. His successor, Tokugawa Iehiro, took over the family leadership, though only for a few years.
Tokugawa Iehiro (1959–1963) – The Final Years in the Shadows
Tokugawa Iehiro was one of the least-known leaders of the Tokugawa family. He left no political or cultural legacy, and his position as head of the clan was more symbolic than meaningful.
Between 1959 and 1963, Japan entered a new era—a time of dynamic growth, the Olympic boom, and sweeping social changes.
His tenure as head of the Tokugawa was a brief episode with no historical significance. After four years, in 1963, he passed the title to his younger relative, a man who would redefine how the Tokugawa would be perceived in the 21st century—Tokugawa Tsunenari.
Tokugawa Tsunenari (1963–2023) – The Guardian of History
Returning to the Legacy: The Tokugawa as Custodians of the Past
Tokugawa Tsunenari was different. Unlike his predecessors, he did not want the Tokugawa name to exist only in forgotten family archives—he wanted to give it new meaning.
In the 1960s and 70s, Japan was forging its modern identity, but the Edo period was increasingly marginalized as a "dark age" of isolation and stagnation. Tsunenari rejected this narrative.
Instead of politics, he chose to focus on the deliberate preservation of his family's history, recognizing that the only meaningful role left for the Tokugawa was to be the guardians of their legacy. Over the following decades, he collected documents, artifacts, and relics from the Edo period, laying the groundwork for a public rehabilitation of the shōgunate’s history.
The Book "The Legacy of Edo" – Rewriting the Narrative of the Tokugawa
In 2007, Tsunenari published the book "The Legacy of Edo" (江戸の遺伝子, Edo no idenshi), offering a new interpretation of the Tokugawa era. His goal was to dispel the myth that Edo was a time of stagnation, tyranny, and backwardness.
He emphasized that the Tokugawa rule created one of the most advanced, stable, and culturally rich societies of its time. He pointed to the development of cities, literature, kabuki theater, ukiyo-e art, and scientific advancements, as well as an economic system that allowed Japan to avoid Western colonization.
His book was a success and transformed the way many Japanese viewed the Edo period. Thanks to him, the name Tokugawa once again carried meaning—not as a political force, but as a symbol of history.
The Tokugawa Memorial Foundation – A Bastion of Samurai History
In 2003, Tsunenari founded the Tokugawa Memorial Foundation, dedicated to preserving the family’s historical legacy and preventing its artifacts from being lost or scattered. The foundation's collection includes:
- Political documents from the Edo period,
- Shōgunal armor and weaponry,
- Rare ukiyo-e paintings and historical scrolls,
- Personal belongings of the Tokugawa shōguns.
Thanks to the foundation, many of these artifacts have been made publicly accessible, and new exhibitions have showcased the rich culture and administration of the Edo period.
Tsunenari proved that the Tokugawa were not just a relic of the past—they were a living history, something to be studied, admired, and drawn from for inspiration.
In 2023, after sixty years as head of the Tokugawa family, Tsunenari stepped down, passing the title to his son, Tokugawa Iehiro—a man who, as the 19th leader of the Tokugawa clan, had entered a completely new era.
Tokugawa Iehiro (2023–Present) – The New Face of the Tokugawa Clan in the Reiwa Era
Who is the new leader? A linguist, political commentator, and descendant of the shōguns
In January 2023, for the first time in six decades, the Tokugawa clan experienced an official change of leadership. Tokugawa Iehiro, son of Tsunenari, became the 19th head of the Tokugawa family, assuming a role that today is more symbolic than political. He is not a warrior like Ieyasu, not a diplomat like Iesato, and not a guardian of history like Tsunenari—but he is a man of the modern era, a scholar who understands the contemporary world and its challenges.
Iehiro did not grow up in the shadow of Edo’s castles—he spent his childhood in the United States, studied in the West, speaks several languages, and works professionally as a political and economic analyst. Modern Japan does not need a shōgun, but it does need people who can understand both tradition and modernity—and it is this fusion of historical knowledge and contemporary global awareness that makes him a significant leader for his family.
New Challenges: What Are the Tokugawa Clan’s Plans in the 21st Century?
Is there still a place for the Tokugawa name in the 21st century? This question has been asked many times in the past, yet the clan has always adapted to new times. Iehiro, though he holds no political power, has one major mission: to preserve the memory of the Edo period and ensure that the history of his ancestors continues to inspire future generations.
Modern Japan still views the Tokugawa era with a mix of admiration and skepticism. Was the shōgunate a period of stability and cultural prosperity, or was it an age of stagnation and isolation? This question continues to fuel debates among historians today. Iehiro, following in his father’s footsteps, seeks to prove that Tokugawa rule was not merely a time of closure but also a period of innovation and the foundation of modern Japan.
The Legacy of Edo on the World Stage
One of Iehiro’s greatest ambitions is to organize a global exhibition dedicated to the Edo period and the Tokugawa shōgunate—a project that would be held outside Japan to showcase the extraordinary heritage of this era. Could the history of the shōgunate once again come alive on the international stage?
His vision is to present the Edo period not as a time of isolation, but as an era of exceptional stability, art, and social development. He wants people worldwide to have the opportunity to see firsthand ukiyo-e scrolls, samurai armor, political archives of the shōgunate, and discover how Edo became one of the largest cities of its time, full of life, commerce, and innovation.
However, will Japan, so focused on the future and its technological achievements, still find room for the history of the shōguns? Will the Tokugawa legacy continue to be preserved, or will it fade into a distant legend, living only in history books and museums—or perhaps in stylized, exaggerated forms in anime and video games?
The Tokugawa clan no longer rules Japan, but it still exists—and while its role has changed, its history continues to evoke strong emotions. Can the voices of the former shōguns still be heard in the Reiwa era? Is the future of the Tokugawa family rooted in the past, or is it waiting to take on an entirely new form?
>> SEE ALSO SIMILAR ARTICLES:
The Ainu Uprising on Hokkaidō 1669 – Shakushain and 19 Tribes Against the Shogun
The Shogun Introduces Animal Cruelty Laws in 17th-Century Edo Japan
"Strong Japanese Women"
see book by the author
of the page
未開 ソビエライ
An enthusiast of Asian culture with a deep appreciation for the diverse philosophies of the world. By education, a psychologist and philologist specializing in Korean studies. At heart, a programmer (primarily for Android) and a passionate technology enthusiast, as well as a practitioner of Zen and mono no aware. In moments of tranquility, adheres to a disciplined lifestyle, firmly believing that perseverance, continuous personal growth, and dedication to one's passions are the wisest paths in life. Author of the book "Strong Women of Japan" (>>see more)
Personal motto:
"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest." - Albert Einstein (probably)
Mike Soray
(aka Michał Sobieraj)
未開 ソビエライ
An enthusiast of Asian culture with a deep appreciation for the diverse philosophies of the world. By education, a psychologist and philologist specializing in Korean studies. At heart, a programmer (primarily for Android) and a passionate technology enthusiast, as well as a practitioner of Zen and mono no aware. In moments of tranquility, adheres to a disciplined lifestyle, firmly believing that perseverance, continuous personal growth, and dedication to one's passions are the wisest paths in life. Author of the book "Strong Women of Japan" (>>see more)
Personal motto:
"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest." - Albert Einstein (probably)
Mike Soray
(aka Michał Sobieraj)
Write us...
Ciechanów, Polska
dr.imyon@gmail.com
___________________
inari.smart
Would you like to share your thoughts or feedback about our website or app? Leave us a message, and we’ll get back to you quickly. We value your perspective!