Eastern Army · Tokugawa
Tokugawa Ieyasu
“Tōshō Daigongen”
Born a minor lord of Mikawa, he spent his childhood as a hostage of the Imagawa and the Oda. Okehazama gave him his independence; allied with Nobunaga, he expanded his domain. Routed by Shingen at Mikatagahara, he bided his time, and after Hideyoshi's death seized real power at Sekigahara. He founded the shogunate in Edo and, by destroying the Toyotomi at Osaka, laid the foundation of more than 260 years of peace.
- Epithet
- “Tōshō Daigongen”
- Rank / office
- Shogun / Chancellor of the Realm
- Domain / base
- Mikawa → the Kantō → all Japan
- Banner / crest
- Triple hollyhock
- Side
- Eastern Army
- Lived
- 1543–1616 (aged 74)
A man's life is like walking a long road with a heavy burden. Do not hurry.
Attributed precepts of Ieyasu
Life
- Eiroku 3 Okehazama and independence Fought as the Imagawa vanguard. On Yoshimoto's death he returned to Okazaki and struck out on his own.
- Genki 3 The rout at Mikatagahara Challenged Shingen and was crushed, fleeing for his life to Hamamatsu Castle: the worst defeat of his career.
- Keichō 5 Sekigahara Led the Eastern Army to victory over the Western Army and took control of the realm.
- Keichō 8 The Edo shogunate Appointed shogun, he established his government in Edo.
- Keichō 20 Siege of Osaka Destroyed the Toyotomi house and brought a century of civil war to an end.
Battles in this archive7 battles
- Battle of Okehazama 19th day of the 5th month, Eiroku 3 Okehazama, Owari Province The future Tokugawa Ieyasu. As the Imagawa vanguard he took Marune fort and carried out the vital task of bringing supplies into Ōdaka Castle. Watch ▸
- Battle of Anegawa 28th day of the 6th month, Genki 1 Anegawa River, Ōmi Province Collided with the Asakura on the western wing. Having broken them, he turned on the Azai flank and drew the allied victory within reach. Watch ▸
- Battle of Mikatagahara 22nd day of the 12th month, Genki 3 Mikatagahara, Tōtōmi Province Aged 31, he took the bait and left his castle. He suffered the worst defeat of his life and saved Hamamatsu Castle with the empty-castle ruse. Watch ▸
- Battle of Nagashino 21st day of the 5th month, Tenshō 3 Nagashino–Shitaragahara, Mikawa Province Set up his headquarters on Mount Danjō and faced head-on the Takeda cavalry that had tormented him for years. Watch ▸
- Battle of Komaki and Nagakute 9th day of the 4th month, Tenshō 12 Nagakute, Owari Province Detected the deep raid and pursued through the night. He posted lookouts on Mount Irogane and crushed the Ikeda and Mori main body at Hotokegane. Watch ▸
- Battle of Sekigahara October 21, Keichō 5 Sekigahara, Mino Province Commander-in-chief of the Eastern Army. He advanced his headquarters from Mount Momokubari to Jinbano and forced Kobayakawa's defection with the warning volley, deciding the battle. Watch ▸
- Siege of Osaka (Summer Campaign) 7th day of the 5th month, Keichō 20 Tennōji–Okayama, Settsu Province Commander-in-chief at 74. His last battlefield, where the Sanada charges twice split his headquarters and he is said to have prepared for death. Watch ▸
Related sites
- Okazaki Castle
- Sunpu Castle
- Kunōzan Tōshō-gū
- Nikkō Tōshō-gū