Ōoka Tadasuke

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Ōoka Tadasuke

Role / Field:

Renowned samurai judge of the Tokugawa shogunate, celebrated for his incorruptible wisdom.

Born:

1677

Died:

1752-02-03

Century / Era:

1677s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Ōoka Tadasuke (Japanese: 大岡 忠相; 1677 – 3 February 1752) was a Japanese samurai in the service of the Tokugawa shogunate. During the reign of Tokugawa Yoshimune, as a magistrate (machi-bugyō) of Edo, his roles included chief of police, judge and jury, and Yamada Magistrate (Yamada bugyō) prior to his tenure as South Magistrate (Minami Machi-bugyō) of Edo. With the title Echizen no Kami (Governor of Echizen or Lord of the Echizen), he is often known as Ōoka Echizen (大岡越前). He was highly respected as an incorruptible judge. In addition, he established the first fire brigade made up of commoners, and the Koishikawa Yojosho (a city hospital).

Career & Major Achievements

Later, he advanced to the position of jisha bugyō, and subsequently became daimyō of the Nishi-Ōhira Domain. Ōoka was born in 1677, but did not come into public notice until he was 35, when he was appointed an obscure judgeship. When he accepted this job, he found out that there was a long-standing boundary dispute between the farmers of the Yamada and Wakayama (Kishū) fiefs, which is also known as the "Case of the Inherited Rice Fields." While it was obvious that the Yamada claim was the just one, no previous judge had been foolish enough to irritate Yoshimune, Lord of Kishū, as he was very close to the shōgun, Tokugawa Ietsugu. However, Ōoka took up the case, and immediately settled it on its merits. According to the story, the dispute began in the early 18th century when the lord of the Wakayama domain granted some rice fields to a group of farmers in the Yamada region.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

However, the grant was ambiguous, and there was confusion over the exact boundaries of the fields and who had the right to use them. The dispute continued for several generations, and the farmers of both regions became embroiled in bitter arguments and legal battles. When Ōoka Tadasuke was appointed as the magistrate of the region, he was tasked with resolving the dispute once and for all. After carefully studying the case and listening to the arguments of both sides, Ōoka came up with a unique solution that satisfied everyone. He ordered the farmers of both Yamada and Wakayama to plant their rice fields with red beans instead of rice.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1677: Birth of Ōoka Tadasuke — Renowned samurai judge of the Tokugawa shogunate, celebrated for his incorruptible wisdom.
2. 1752 (1752-02-03): Passing & Historical Legacy — Ōoka Tadasuke passed away on 1752-02-03, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Ōoka Tadasuke

“The price of the smell of food is the sound of money.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ōoka Tadasuke

True or False: “Ōoka Tadasuke was primarily known for his expertise in military strategy during the Edo period.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He gained fame not through warfare, but as an incorruptible judge and magistrate who resolved complex legal disputes.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Ōoka Tadasuke