Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu : a reappraisal

Abstract

Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, the influential Grand Chamberlain of the fifth Tokugawa shogun, has traditionally been cast in a bad role. This reappraisal attempts to show that his unprecedented rise from humble bannerman to powerful minister and the animosity it provoked were intimately linked with the shogun's efforts to establish autocratic power. During the reign of the fourth shogun the fudai daimyo had come to dominate the administration, considerably weakening the authority of the shogunate. The fifth shogun attempted to remedy this situation by employing men who identified with his aim of strengthening central authority. Yoshiyasu, born into the household of the shogun-to-be and trained to obey and serve, was eminently qualified to become Tsunayoshi's dedicated minister. As the man who deprived the fudai of their influence in the administration and executed policies undermining the privileged position of the military aristocracy, his unpopularity was inevitable. Yoshiyasu was well aware of his powerful enemies and took elaborate steps to defend his reputation and to ensure the continued prosperity of his house after Tsunayoshi 's death. Using Max Weber's theory as a guide, it is suggested that Tsunayoshi's much criticised policies were motivated by his desire to turn a society with feudal characteristics into a centrally dominated state. The resultant increase in the sophistication of the bureaucracy led to the appearance of Japan's first "professional politicians" with Yoshiyasu distinguishing himself as the "leading politician." This interpretation of the period is contrasted with Kurita Mototsugu's theory of change from militarism to civil administration. In addition the political writings of Ogyu Sorai are examined for their views on shogunal authority and for the light they throw on the government of the fifth shogun and his Grand Chamberlain Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu. Show more