Shogun and Imperial Family

Family tree of the Imperial Family in Japan

Tokugawa and Imperial Relations

A shogun refers to a military commander that had been given the political power to rule Japan. Prior to this shift of power in 1185, the imperial family had ruled the country. As the imperial family stepped back from direct rule, the emperor would appoint shoguns to lead Japan for approximately 700 years. This shogunate system came to an end in 1868 when administration was returned to the imperial household, known as the Meiji Restoration. Though both were rulers at one point, the shogun families and imperial families had not governed Japan together.

Portrait of Tokugawa Ieyasu

A shogun refers to a military commander that had been given the political power to rule Japan. Prior to this shift of power in 1185, the imperial family had ruled the country. As the imperial family stepped back from direct rule, the emperor would appoint shoguns to lead Japan for approximately 700 years. This shogunate system came to an end in 1868 when administration was returned to the imperial household, known as the Meiji Restoration. Though both were rulers at one point, the shogun families and imperial families had not governed Japan together.

Emperor Gomizunoo and Tokugawa Masako’s Marriage

Masako was arranged a marriage with Emperor Gomizunoo by her father Tokugawa Hidetada. Tokugawa Ieyasu who is Masako’s grandfather, had been waiting for the right time to send off his family into the imperial family. The Tokugawa had desired for a baby that would become the emperor in the future and share Tokugawa blood. By doing so, the Tokugawa lineage itself would become a noble status having a direct connection to the imperial family, which strengthens the impression that the Tokugawa family is fit to rule Japan.

The marriage was not simple, as there were controversies surrounding Emperor Gomizunoo having his first son Prince Kamo and first daughter Princess Ume (Bunchi) with his mistress Oyotsu. This had been revealed to be true before Masako was officially a part of the imperial family but after their marriage was decided upon. Relations between the families worsened after this scandal had broken out. Although Masako’s marriage had gotten postponed, they kept their plan to get married a year later. Following their marriage in 1620, they had two sons and five daughters. The two sons had passed away soon after their birth, but their daughters grew up healthy. In 1626, Emperor Gomizunoo and Masako made a visit to Nijō castle in Kyoto, which was built and owned by the Tokugawa. Emperor visits were special, making this visit bring the Tokugawa and imperial ties closer together. Despite their family relations and history, Emperor Gomizunoo and Masako had a good relationship as a couple since they had shared interests in arts and poetry.

Portrait of Emperor Gomizunoo