Tokugawa Ieharu

The 10th Shogun of the Edo Shogunate (reigned 1760-86). His childhood name was Takechiyo. He was the eldest son of the 9th Shogun, Ieshige. His mother was Oyuki of the Umetani clan. He was born on May 22, 2nd year of the Genbun era. He became Shogun in September 1760 (10th year of the Horeki era). His grandfather Yoshimune had high hopes for Ieshige's growth as a replacement for the unworthy Ieshige when he was a child, but he grew up to be mediocre and was immersed in the politics of the elder councilors, especially in the latter half of his reign, Tanuma Okitsugu. His reign coincided with the transitional period from the shogunate to the feudal domain system, from the Horeki to Tenmei periods (1751-89), and also saw the Great Edo Fire of the Meiwa era, the Great Asama eruption of the Tenmei era, a great famine, peasant uprisings, and the rise of urban destruction, resulting in a period of intensifying social unrest. He died of illness on August 25, 1786 (publicly announced date: September 8), and was given the posthumous name of Shunmeiin. He was posthumously awarded the rank of Shoichii Daijo Daijin (Grand Minister of State). He was buried at Kan'ei-ji Temple, Toeizan, Ueno.

[Tadao Yamada]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

江戸幕府10代将軍（在位1760～86）。幼名竹千代。9代将軍家重(いえしげ)の長子。母は梅渓(うめたに)氏お幸(こう)。元文(げんぶん)2年5月22日生まれ。1760年（宝暦10）9月に将軍就任。祖父吉宗(よしむね)は家治の幼少時には、不肖の家重にかわるものとしてその成長に期待をかけていたが、長じては凡庸となり、老中たちの政治、とくに後半は田沼意次(たぬまおきつぐ)の政治に埋没していた。治政中は宝暦(ほうれき)～天明(てんめい)期（1751～89）の幕藩制転換期にあたり、しかも明和(めいわ)の江戸大火、天明の浅間山大噴火、大飢饉(だいききん)と百姓一揆(ひゃくしょういっき)、都市打毀(うちこわし)の大高揚と社会不安の激化した時期とぶつかっていた。天明6年8月25日（公表では9月8日）病死、法号は浚明院(しゅんめいいん)。贈正一位太政大臣(だいじょうだいじん)。上野の東叡山(とうえいざん)寛永寺(かんえいじ)に葬られる。

［山田忠雄］

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