Matsudaira Ietada (松平 家忠, 1555 - September 8, 1600) was a samurai and daimyo from the Sengoku period to the Azuchi-Momoyama period, serving as a vassal to the Tokugawa clan and being the 4th head of the Fukamizo-Matsudaira family. His diary, known as the "Ietada Nikki," has become a valuable historical document for understanding the lifestyle of Sengoku warriors and powerful daimyo of that era. [1]
Matsudaira Ietada | |
|---|---|
| 松平 家忠 | |
 | |
| Lord of Omigawa | |
| In office 1594–1600 | |
| Succeeded by | Matsudaira Tadayoshi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1555 Mikawa Province |
| Died | September 8, 1600 Fushimi, Yamashiro Province |
| Nickname | Tomomo no Suke |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Tokugawa clan |
| Unit | (Fukōzu-Matsudaira) |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Mikatagahara (1572) Battle of Nagashino (1575) Siege of Takatenjin (1581) Battle of Komaki-Nagakute (1584) Siege of Odawara (1590) Siege of Fushimi Castle (1600) |
- This is about a member of the Fukōzu-Matsudaira. For others of the same name, see Matsudaira Ietada.
Biography edit
In 1555, Matsudaira Ietada, the eldest son of Matsudaira Koretada, the third lord of the Fukagawa-Matsudaira clan, and the daughter of Udon Nagamochi, was born in Fukagawa Castle in the Fukagawa district of Mikawa Province, which was the residence of the Fukagawa-Matsudaira clan. At the time of Ietada's coming of age, the Fukagawa-Matsudaira clan was under the command of Sakai Tadatsugu (Yoshida Castle's deputy), who was in charge of the eastern Mikawa region, and was subordinate to the main branch, Tokugawa Ieyasu. In 1575, he accompanied his father to the Battle of Nagashino in May and joined the attacking force led by Sakai Tadatsugu at Mt. Tobi. However, his father died in this battle, so he succeeded to the clan headship at the age of 21. Afterwards, Ieyasu served in various battles throughout the country, but it can be inferred that he was more involved in the construction and repair of castles such as Hamamatsu Castle, Makino Castle (Suwahara Castle), Shinjo Castle, Yokosuka Castle, and the subsidiary castle (frontline base) of the attack on Takatenjin Castle, rather than the battles themselves. It is evident that he had skills in civil engineering. This is believed to have been developed during the frequent flooding of the Hirota River, which was located in his domain at the time, as there are descriptions in the "Ieyasu Diary" about the restoration efforts.
Ieyasu Diary edit
Ietada is known as the author of his own diary, "Ietada Nikki" (Diary of Ietada). This diary succinctly records what happened each day from 1575 to October 1594, spanning a period of 17 years. The original diary was repaired by Matsudaira Tadafusa, the grandson of Ietada and the head of the Fukamizo-Matsudaira clan in the early Edo period, and it is still preserved to this day. The content of the diary ranges from mundane daily events such as weather and seasons to descriptions of political situations, diplomacy, and even warfare. While Ietada rarely writes his own opinions or comments on events and weather, there are entries about his appreciation of Noh performances, enjoyment of linked verse poetry, and tea ceremonies, which also reveal his cultural interests and personality as a literati. During the transition from the Oda administration to the Toyotomi administration, Tokugawa Ieyasu held a position of power in the eastern provinces, owning five provinces and establishing his own influence. The descriptions in the "Iemitsu Nikki" not only provide insights into the political situation during the Sengoku and Azuchi-Momoyama periods with Ieyasu at the center but also shed light on the diplomatic and antagonistic relationships between the Tokugawa clan and daimyo families such as the Takeda clan of Kai and the Hojo clan of Sagami. It is noted as a historical source for understanding the movements of major daimyo families during that period, as well as the daily lives and customs of samurai and daimyo. The diary also highlights details of the daily lives of samurai and daimyo during that period. For instance, there is a mention of an African retainer named Yasuke, who was witnessed during the return from the Kai Province campaign, with a description of his height and appearance. This provides evidence of Yasuke's ethnicity and gives insight into his physical stature. Additionally, the occurrence of a total lunar eclipse on June 15, 1580, is recorded, suggesting that not only Tokugawa Iemitsu but also Tokugawa Ieyasu may have observed the lunar eclipse. Furthermore, the diary contains the oldest existing shogi position diagram. While it is uncertain whether Iemitsu played the game depicted in the diagram, according to Masukawa Hirokazu, the opponent was likely of considerably weak skill level, comparable to that of a kyu-level player. There are discrepancies between the original content and the historical documents published in 1897, as pointed out by Ganjin Iwasawa of the University of Tokyo.[2][3][4]
References edit
- ^ Masahiro, Morimoto. (1999) 松平家忠日記. Kadokawa Sensho. ISBN 404-7033049 (In Japanese).
- ^ Nakayama, Yoshiaki (2015). 江戸三百藩大全 全藩藩主変遷表付. Kosaido Publishing. ISBN 978-4331802946.(in Japanese)
- ^ Nigi, Kenichi (2004). 藩と城下町の事典―国別. Tokyodo Printing. ISBN 978-4490106510.
- ^ Papinot, E (1910). Historical and Geographic Dictionary of Japan. Tuttle (reprint) 1972.
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