IEYASU TOKUGAWA The great shogun Tokugawa established a central military government that lasted for 250 years of the Edo or Tokugawa period (1603 to 1867). This period is called “Edo” because the Tokugawa clan established the central military government and their residential seat in the town of Edo (now Tokyo). It is also called the “Tokugawa” period (or the “Age of SHOGUNS”) because members of that clan ruled the country as Shoguns for three centuries. In 1603 Ieyasu Tokugawa was appointed Se-i-tai-Shogun (“Barbarian subduing Generalissimo”), abbreviated “shogun”, at title designating the apex of political power in the military administration of the country. The status of shogun came to manifest supreme authority in all affairs of state - political and economic, as well as military. Tokugawa was born in troubled times, when the country was torn by civil war among rival regional lords defending their local authority. By virtue of his personal qualities and with force of arms, he gained the office of shogun through a succession of victories in this fierce struggle for power. Sixty-two years old when he was appointed shogun, he died 13 years later at the age of 75. Even after his death, peace and stability continued through the “Age of the SHOGUNS”. Tokugawa was posthumously honored as the founder of the Edo period and Tokugawa rule; he was deified, and worshiped as To-sho-gu, the Sun God of the East.