Fiscal consolidation of the Shogunate and reform of Kyoho of Tokugawa Yoshimune

The financial difficulties of the Shogunate became serious due to the influence of the civil politics that started from the Tokugawa Ietsuna and the fact that the rice price was left unattended without taking measures against the decline in rice prices.

Meanwhile, instead of the 7th generation Ietsugu, Tokugawa Yoshimune Was appointed as the 8th Shogun.

Yoshimune Tokugawa was a general from the Kii clan of the three families, and during the Kii clan era, he reformed the clan's affairs, simplified the clan's political system, and thoroughly frugalized the financial reconstruction. As a result, he repaid 100,000 loans from the Shogunate. * It seems that 100,000 cars are worth about 2 to 3 billion yen at the current value.

The mission of Yoshimune as a shogun is to rebuild the shogunate's finances.

Taking advantage of his experience during the Kii feudal lord, Yoshimune began reforming the shogunate.

This reform of Tokugawa Yoshimune is reform of Kyoho Is called.

Kyoho Reform Is Matsudaira Sadanobu Kansei Reforms , Tadakuni Mizuno Tenpo Reforms Along with, three major reforms of the Edo period This difference and content are often shown in the test, so it's a good idea to keep it in mind.

Kyoho Reform by Tokugawa Yoshimune

The source of income for the shogunate is nengu rice governed by farmers. was. Because the rice was exchanged for cash, the cash that came in every time was unstable due to the market price of rice. Against this background, the finances of the shogunate and samurai were tight.

Therefore, Yoshimune will carry out various shogunate reforms.

Establishment of power of the Shogunate and urban reform

In Shogun personnel, Arai Hakuseki and Manabe Akifusa Was dismissed, and many of the vassals of the Kii domain were taken as bakushin.

Urban policy Then, Tadasuke Ooka, the servant of Minamimachi Was used for reform. Famous for historical drama [ Ooka Echizen ] That person.

Tadasuke Ooka Fire protection measures in Edo, where there were many fires To embark on.

As a measure, town fire extinguisher association To make. This will become the basis of modern firefighting. At that time, fire extinguishing methods were used to prevent the fire from spreading by destroying the surrounding buildings when a fire broke out. However, as time passed, fire extinguishing methods were established, and tools such as hand pumps were invented.

In addition, agricultural policy reform near Edo To embark on.

Nitta Development to increase grain production We also actively carried out hydraulic control work to stabilize the water supply. We are also ordering research on new crops as a measure against hunger.

Also, Kujikata Osadamegaki The standard of trial at that time I made.

The Shogunate's code, which consists of upper and lower volumes, summarizes past precedents and other matters, and helped to expedite the increasing number of proceedings.

Addition height system

To get a high position in the shogunate in this era, it was necessary to have a certain status.

In short, I couldn't get a high position without Kokudaka to some extent.

However, Yoshimune thought that there were excellent human resources even if his status was low, so he raised Ishitaka by supplying rice to such a person, and gave him a position corresponding to that status. Then, when he resigned from his post, he stopped the supply of rice and restored it to the original level, thereby reducing the financial burden on the shogunate as much as possible.

Installation of guide box

It is said that it was rare that the opinions and wishes of the common people reached the ears of the shogun at any time. However, Yoshimune installed a guide box to hear the voices of the common people.

It seems that even poor people have come to be seen by doctors because of this guide box. Also, it seems that this guide box was the key to creating a town fire extinguisher association.

Ooku Reform and Frugality

The former shoguns and bakushin of Yoshimune were indulging in luxury despite the poor finances of the shogunate. Therefore, Yoshimune thought that frugality was necessary first in order to rebuild his finances.

No matter how frugal you appeal to the bakushin, it is not easy to change your luxury life. First of all, Yoshimune himself urges his vassals to make a frugality by setting an example.

Despite being a shogun, what he wears is cotton instead of silk , Meals only twice a day I lived a life. The meal was also very simple, Ichiju Sansai.

Yoshimune is frugal Not only that, we will reach out to reform.

In fact, the cost of maintaining this Ooku is 25% of the finances of the Shogunate. It seems that he was also using it. Most of the cost was what they wore and what they wore.

The content of the Ooku reform is a large amount of restructuring measures is.

Generally, restructuring is aimed at older people and less capable people, but Yoshimune does the opposite.

Among the women in Ooku, we restructured the ones that looked good and were 25 years old or younger. Why did you restructure only good-looking and young women?

After the restructuring, Yoshimune said, " If you look good, you should have many good ties . ".

In short, I thought that if you were a young and beautiful woman, you would surely be blessed with a good relationship even if you left Ooku. He was probably called the master of the world because he was able to consider the hearts of such people.

Fiscal consolidation measures

In order to rebuild the finances, it is customary to reduce spending on income, but from this perspective, if we apply it to the reform of Kyoho ...

Raise the income of the Shogunate with the development of Nitta To do.