Distribution/Classification of Daimyo

Tokugawa Family 4.1 million koku

--so, roughly 4 times the size of any other single Daimyo

Plus his Liege Vassals (2500) have 2.6 million koku

--so, in effect, we really have 6.7 million koku that theTokugawa can draw upon

--approximately 25% of all Japan's land-based wealth

Fudai (or Vassal) Daimyo --his most loyal followers --relied upon for most of his adminstrative officials --strategically deployed to check least trusted "allies"

(150) --quite a few fudai daimyo so none are especially large fief holders --therefore, dependent on the Tokugawa for their office, wealth and/or prestige

6.3 million koku

 

 

Shimpan*(or Related) Daimyo aka "collateral lines" or "cadet houses" --very large and distinguished houses therefore not usually tapped for influential administrative offices or positions in the Bakufu --they are potential rivals so kept at a distance

(21)

3.4

Sub-Total 16.4 million koku

Total 25.8 million koku--Tokugawa and close allies control 16.4 million koku or over 60% of the wealth

*Three Large Shimpan or "Successor/Cadet" Houses or Gosanke:

1. Mito 350,000 koku

2. Owari (Nagoya) 619,000 koku

3. Kii (Wakayama) 550,000 koku

See also the chart from Noriko Aso's materials at: http://ic.ucsc.edu/~naso/hist159b/presentations/Tokugawa%20Polity%20pres/baku-han_structure.htm

How did the Tokugawa manage the daimyo and keep the peace? Through an elaborate system of political controls which included:

1. Requiring all Daimyo to pledge an Oath of Loyalty and to accept the laws and regulations issued by the Tokogawa Shogunate.

2. Asserting control over Foreign Relations and placing City Magistrates to govern the cities of Edo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nagasaki.

2. Transfers and confiscation of lands from daimyo--some 200+ incidents in first 50 years of Baku-han system.

2. Demanding and receiving financial, material and labor contributions for "public" works projects which were usually improving Tokugawa lands, roads and castles.

3. Maintaing a network of inspectors (metsuke) and spies.

4. Issuing laws and decress regulating the behavior of Daimyo, Courtiers, Merchants, Peasants, etc.

5. The Sankin-kotai or "Alterenate Attendance" System.

6. Encouraging Confucian education on the samurai so they could become literate and urbane administrators.