Sobashuu - Side group

A job title in the Edo Shogunate. An important position for the Shogun's aide. Established in 1653 (Shoo 2). However, its origin can be traced back to Nakane Masamori, a personal attendant to the third Shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu. There were 5-6 or 7-8 members (ruled by the Elders, paid 5,000 koku, Shodaibu). They stayed on night duty in the palace in shifts, served the Shogun daily, and controlled the affairs of the inner palace, as well as the movements of pages, storehouse staff, doctors, and others. After the Elders left the palace, they handled affairs in place of the Elders. Two or three of them were called Osawa Goyo Toritsugu (established in 1716), and went to the castle every day (exempt from night duty) to act as intermediaries between the Shogun and the Elders and other officials, and handled various matters. Along with Obangashira and Rusui, it was considered one of the highest positions that a Hatamoto could be appointed to, and was also involved in government affairs as a close aide to the Shogun, giving it great influence. Many people, such as Manabe Akifusa and Tanuma Okitsugu, rose from this position to become daimyo.

[Kitahara Akio]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

江戸幕府の職名。将軍側近の重職。1653年（承応2）創置。しかし、その起源は3代将軍徳川家光(いえみつ)の御側中根正盛(なかねまさもり)に求められる。員数は5～6人あるいは7～8人（老中支配、役高5000石、諸大夫(しょだいぶ)）。交替で殿中に宿直し、日ごろ将軍に近侍して、奥向きの諸般のことをはじめ小姓(こしょう)、小納戸(こなんど)、医師などの進退を支配した。また老中退出後は、老中にかわって殿中のことを処理した。このうち二、三のものは御側御用取次（1716創置）と称し、毎日登城（宿直は免じられる）して、将軍と老中以下諸役人との間の御用掛を勤め諸事を取り扱った。大番頭(おおばんがしら)、留守居(るすい)とならび旗本の補任(ぶにん)される最高の役職の一つとされ、また将軍の側近から政務に関与し権勢を誇った。間部詮房(まなべあきふさ)や田沼意次(おきつぐ)のようにここから立身して大名に列したものがしばしばみられた。

［北原章男］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例