Wakadoshiyori - From Wakadoshi

A job title in the Edo Shogunate. Unlike the Roju, who were in charge of governing the whole country, the Shogunate was in charge of governing the Shogun's household, focusing on the control of the Hatamoto. It originated with the "Edo Roju" during the time of the second Shogun Hidetada, and its duties were further refined under the "Rokuninshu" during the time of the third Shogun Iemitsu. In the "Statutes" of 1634 (Kan'ei 11),
(1) All matters relating to the affairs of the imperial headquarters (as well as the matters concerning the litigation);
1. The opportunity for the craftsmen to see the products and take their leave.
1. Matters concerning doctors,
1. Always taking care of construction and work.
1. The things that are always given to us,
1. The business of the guards and officials in Kyoto, Osaka, Suruga and other places.
1. For those with fiefs of 10,000 koku or less, and their accompanying persons, matters of business and litigation, the above matters should be submitted to the Diet.
It is generally believed that the "Rokuninshu" who were in charge of the above-mentioned duties were the origin of the Wakadoshiyori in the history of the system. However, the "Rokuninshu" disappeared in 1649 (Keian 2) during the same Iemitsu era, and their duties were transferred to the control of the Roju. After that, the Wakadoshiyori was established in 1662 (Kanbun 2) during the era of the fourth Shogun Ietsuna, and the division of duties and positions of the Roju and Wakadoshiyori were redefined until the end of the Edo period. The number of staff was limited to about four people, and they were mostly appointed from Fudai daimyo (Teikan no ma or Kiku no mazume) with stipends of 10,000 to 60,000 koku who held the positions of Sojaban and Bugyo (magistrate of temples and shrines), and they conducted government affairs together with the Roju in the official room in the inner palace of the castle. Many of them were later promoted to senior councilors or chamberlains.

[Kitahara Akio]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

江戸幕府の職名。全国の支配を担当した老中に対し、旗本支配を軸に将軍家中の支配を担当した。2代将軍秀忠(ひでただ)期の「江戸老中」に端を発し、3代将軍家光(いえみつ)期の「六人衆」のもとで職掌が整えられた。1634年（寛永11）の「定(さだめ)」には、
　一　御旗本相詰候万事御用并(ならびに)御訴訟之事、
　一　諸職人御目見(おめみえ)并御暇(おいとま)之事、
　一　医師方御用之事、
　一　常々御普請(ごふしん)并御作事方(ごさくじかた)之事、
　一　常々被下物(くだされもの)之事、
　一　京大坂駿河(するが)其(その)外所々御番衆并諸役人御用之事、
　一　壱万石以下組はつれ之者御用并御訴訟之事、右之条々、承届可致言上者也(うけたまわりとどけごんじょういたすべきものなり)、
とある。一般には前掲の職掌を担当する「六人衆」を制度史上、若年寄の起源と考えている。しかし「六人衆」は、同じ家光期の1649年（慶安2）に消滅し、その職掌は老中の支配に移される。その後、4代将軍家綱(いえつな)期の1662年（寛文2）に若年寄が設置され、改めて老中・若年寄の分掌事項・支配の役職が定められ幕末に至った。およそ4人を定員とし、ほぼ奏者番(そうじゃばん)、寺社奉行(ぶぎょう)の役職にある1万石から6万石ほどの譜代(ふだい)大名（帝鑑間(ていかんのま)・菊間詰(きくのまづめ)）から補任(ぶにん)され、城中は中奥(なかおく)の御用部屋で老中らとともに政務をとった。のち老中あるいは側用人(そばようにん)などに昇格した者も多かった。

［北原章男］

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