Tokugawa Iesada succeeds as shōgun (1853)

Tokugawa Iesada succeeded his father, Tokugawa Ieyoshi, as the 13th shōgun in 1853. Ieyoshi died on 27 July 1853, before concluding a treaty with Commodore Perry. Iesada, appointed heir early due to high infant mortality among his siblings, assumed office during the Black Ships crisis, marking the start of the Late Tokugawa shogunate.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Tokugawa Ieyoshi, the 12th shōgun, died on 27 July 1853, of heart failure possibly caused by heat stroke. His death occurred before the treaty with Commodore Perry could be concluded. Iesada, born in Edo Castle as Masanosuke, was the fourth son of Ieyoshi. Due to the death of most siblings in infancy, Iesada was appointed heir at a very early age.

Succession. Iesada became shōgun on the sudden death of his father, Tokugawa Ieyoshi, at the height of the Black Ships episode. He held office for five years from 1853 to 1858. The succession occurred amidst the arrival of US Commodore Matthew Perry in June 1853, on a mission to force a treaty opening Japan to trade.

Political Context. Ieyoshi had forced the retirement of Tokugawa Nariaki in 1844 and Shimazu Narioki in 1851. Iesada was the only son of Ieyoshi to live past the age of 20, despite Ieyoshi having numerous other sons and daughters. This survival ensured the continuity of the shogunate line through Iesada's accession.

People involved

Sources

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