A History of Japan: From Stone Age to Superpower (27 page)

Over the next few years Ieyasu consolidated his huge holdings, which in effect comprised all the Kant
Plain. Among other things he built Edo Castle, which was later to form the foundations for the Imperial Palace. He was acknowledged by many
daimy
as their overlord, and felt strong enough to break his promise to the dying Hideyoshi to safeguard Hideyoshi’s infant heir Hideyori. Having triumphed at Sekigahara in 1600 he was effectively the greatest power in the land.

To legitimise his position, in 1603 Ieyasu received the title of sh
gun – unused since 1588 – from Emperor Go-Y
zei (r.1586–1611). He was now 61 years old. In the manner of earlier emperors and sh
guns, just two years later he resigned in favour of his son Hidetada (1579–1632). Though Hidetada was no infant, Ieyasu himself continued to wield actual power. By this early abdication Ieyasu helped ensure the continuity of his line – a continuity further helped by Hidetada’s own similar abdication in 1523.

Hideyori was still a potential threat. It took Ieyasu some years, but in 1615 he finally managed to destroy Hideyori’s base at Osaka Castle. Still only 22, Hideyori committed suicide when defeat was imminent. His captured 7-year-old son Kunimatsu was executed by beheading.

The same year of 1615, Ieyasu also issued sets of laws to control both the court and the military houses. Though the court had legitimised Ieyasu’s own position and he treated it with some respect, he made it clear that its authority was merely formal and ceremonial. It was made subject to the control of the sh
gunate, which reserved the right to approve all court appointments. Military houses were controlled by the enforcement of the status quo, down to fine detail.
¹
They were required to ensure that:

•
no person should take up residence in a new domain;

•
all criminals should be expelled;

•
all marriages involving
daimy
should have sh
gunal approval;

•
no new castles were to be built at all, and even repairs to existing ones should have sh
gunal approval;

•
innovations being planned or factional conspiracies being formed in neighbouring domains should be reported immediately;

•
daimy
processions should include given numbers of retainers matching the
daimy
’
s rank;

•
daimy
should follow specific dress codes;