Hotta Masatoshi

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Hotta Masatoshi

Role / Field:

Prominent daimyō and chief advisor in the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan.

Born:

1634-03-12

Died:

1684-10-07

Century / Era:

1634s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Hotta Masatoshi (堀田 正俊; December 31, 1634 – October 7, 1684) was a daimyō (feudal lord) in Shimōsa Province, and top government advisor and official in the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan. He served as rōjū (chief advisor) to shōgun Tokugawa Ietsuna from 1679 to 1680, and as Tairō (head of the rōjū council) under Tokugawa Tsunayoshi from the 12th day of the 11th lunar month of 1681 until his death on 7 October 1684. Masatoshi's father was Hotta Masamori, advisor (Tairō) under the previous shōgun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, who committed seppuku upon Iemitsu's death in 1651. Masatoshi was then adopted by Iemitsu's nurse, Kasuga no Tsubone. He served as personal secretary to the next shōgun, Tokugawa Ietsuna, for a time, before being appointed wakadoshiyori (junior councillor) in 1670.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Ietsuna was already quite ill when Masatoshi was appointed rōjū in 1679, and died the following summer. At this time, another rōjū, Sakai Tadakiyo, in a bid for personal power, proposed that the next shōgun be selected from the princely houses. He sought to be regent to this new shōgun, who would be made a puppet ruler. However, Masatoshi, said to have been infuriated, voiced strong opposition to this scheme; Tadakiyo resigned his post shortly afterwards, and Ietsuna's brother Tokugawa Tsunayoshi was installed as the new shogun. Masatoshi became Tairō soon afterwards, and was granted a domain worth 13,000 koku by Tsunayoshi.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Masatoshi was killed several years later, on 7 October 1684. The motives of the culprit, Masatoshi's cousin Inaba Masayasu, are unknown. Following Masatoshi's death, Tsunayoshi took the opportunity to reorganize the shogunate's offices so as to weaken the rōjū and grant additional powers to the Soba-yōnin (Chamberlains). Masatoshi was not succeeded as Tairō, and much of his power came to be wielded by the shōgun himself. The reason for Hota Masatoshi's assassination is unknown.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1634 (1634-03-12): Birth of Hotta Masatoshi — Prominent daimyō and chief advisor in the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan.
2. 1651: 1651 Milestone — Masatoshi's father was Hotta Masamori, advisor (Tairō) under the previous shōgun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, who committed seppuku upon Iemitsu's death in 1651.
3. 1670: 1670 Milestone — He served as personal secretary to the next shōgun, Tokugawa Ietsuna, for a time, before being appointed wakadoshiyori (junior councillor) in 1670.
4. 1679: 1679 Milestone — He served as rōjū (chief advisor) to shōgun Tokugawa Ietsuna from 1679 to 1680, and as Tairō (head of the rōjū council) under Tokugawa Tsunayoshi from the 12th day of the 11th lunar month of 1681 until his death on 7 October 1684.
5. 1684 (1684-10-07): Passing & Historical Legacy — Hotta Masatoshi passed away on 1684-10-07, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Hotta Masatoshi

True or False: “Hotta Masatoshi was succeeded as Tairō after his death.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Following his assassination, Hotta Masatoshi was not succeeded as Tairō; instead, much of the power shifted to the shōgun himself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Hotta Masatoshi