Fudai (or Vassal) Daimyo
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(150)
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6.3
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Fudai daimyo (who prior to the Battle of Sekigahara had already been vassals of the Tokugawa), were the most trusted on Ieyasu's vassals, often referred to as his "Treaures among Men." A few fudai daimyo, such as the Ii of Hikone, held large han, but many were small so they depended on the prestige of their close affiliation with the Tokugawa for their status. The shogunate placed many fudai at strategic locations to guard the trade routes and the approaches to Edo. Also, many fudai daimyo took bureaucratic, official positions in the Edo shogunate, some rising to the position of roju or Senior Counselor. By the late Edo period, ONLY members of fudai families had access to high-level bureaucratic appoints in the Bakufu government, a source of considerable annoyance to capable leaders from other han (domains) who felt that high-level positions should go to the most capable samurai regardless of their class status or regional origins.