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{{Short description|1598–1600 government in feudal Japan}}
[[File:Toyotomi Hideyoshi c1598 Kodai-ji Temple.png|thumb|Toyotomi Hideyoshi]]
{{History of Japan|expanded= periods|image=Joint letter of Five Elders (of Toyotomi).jpg}}
In [[History of Japan|the history]] of [[Japan]], the  {{nihongo|'''Council of Five Elders'''|[[:jp:五大老|五大老]]|Go-Tairō|lead=yes}} was a group of five powerful {{nihongo|feudal lords|大名|[[daimyō]]}} formed in 1598 by the {{nihongo|Regent|太閤|[[Sesshō and Kampaku|Taikō]]}} [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]], shortly before his death the same year.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Premodern Japan : a historical survey|last1=Mikiso|first1=Hane |last2=Perez|first2=Louis G.|isbn= 978-0-81334970-1|edition= 2nd |location= Boulder, CO|publisher=Westview Press|page =180|oclc=895428280|date = 2014-11-11}}</ref> While Hideyoshi was on his deathbed, his son, [[Toyotomi Hideyori]], was still only five years old and as such Hideyoshi needed to create the council in order to ensure his [[heir]] would be able to succeed him after coming of age. They also acted as advisers for the {{nihongo|[[Go-Bugyō|Five Commissioners]]|五奉行|Go-Bugyō}}, which had also been established by Hideyoshi to govern Kyoto and the surrounding areas.<ref>{{Cite news|url= http://history-land.com/gotairou/|title=五大老の序列や五奉行との違いなどについて解説！|date= 2016-08-04|work=歴史をわかりやすく解説！ヒストリーランド|access-date=2018-06-10|language= ja-JP}}</ref>

== Creation of the Council ==
=== Leading up to the creation of the council ===
Hideyoshi had been slowly changing in demeanor as the [[Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–98)|invasions of Korea]] (in attempt to conquer both Korea and China) were failing. Hideyoshi himself had not joined the Korean Campaigns and assigned vassals in his command to head the campaign.{{sfn|Sansom|1961|p=363}} He sent his final force of 140,000 to Korea in 1597, but the efforts were fruitless.<ref name=":5" />

Hideyoshi's execution of family members were also one of the reasons for questioning his sanity during this period.{{sfn|Berry|1982|p=222}} Before the birth of his son Hideyori, he had adopted his nephew, [[Toyotomi Hidetsugu]], to be his heir in 1591 because Hidetsugu had helped Hideyoshi in his campaigns.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book|title=Toyotomi Hideyoshi|last1=Turnbull|first1=Stephen R.|last2=Rava|first2=Giuseppe|date=2010|publisher=Osprey|isbn=9781846039614|location=Oxford|oclc=650342003}}</ref> Once Hideyori was born, he ordered Toyotomi Hidetsugu to commit [[Seppuku|ritual suicide]] on [[Mount Kōya]], this causing Hideyoshi's only possible heir to be his infant son Hideyori. The people closest to Hidetsugu, such as his family and retainers, were also put to death.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book|title=Shogun: The Life of Tokugawa Ieyasu|last=Sadler|first=A.L.|publisher=Tuttle|year=2009|isbn=9784805310427}}</ref>

In 1595 Toyotomi Hideyoshi officially announced five laws and ordinances (Japanese: [[Gokajo No Goseimon|御定五ヶ条]] ''Onkite'' ''Gokajō'') to maintain the stability of the regime and overcome the upheaval of politics after the removal of Hidetsugu.

On the "fifteenth day of the seventh month", the senior ''daimyō'' under order gathered at Maeda Toshiie's residence in Fushimi to renew their pledge of loyalty to Hideyori.{{sfn|Berry|1982|pp=139, 234}} On the "fifth day of the eighth month", 13 days before his death (which took place on the 18th day of the 8th month of the third year of the [[Keichō]] era, Hideyoshi issued an order to the Elders stating that children of various generals shall go to Osaka Castle, once Hideyori has moved there.{{sfn|Berry|1982|p=235}}

Hideyoshi's health started to degenerate after falling ill in the later half of 1598.<ref name=":8" /> Realizing he would need to find a way to ensure the installation of his son as heir following his death, he called out to certain trusted ''daimyō'' to grant his final request:{{sfn|Boscaro|1975|p=77}}

{{Blockquote|text=Until Hideyori reaches adulthood, I am asking for the help of the people whose names are listed in this document. This is the only request I want to make.
Fifth day, Eighth month

To:
Ieyasu

Chikuzen

Terumoto

Kagekatsu

Hideie|sign=Toyotomi Hideyoshi|source=101 Letters of Hideyoshi {{harv|Boscaro|1975|p=77}}}}There are also accounts that when Hideyoshi called upon Ieyasu to become a regent, he asked him to decide if Hideyori is fit to rule when he reaches a ripe age and that Ieyasu rejected this request.{{sfn|Sadler|1937|pp=182, 185}}{{sfn|Dening|1971|p=[https://archive.org/details/lifeoftoyotomihi0000deni/page/270 270]}}

=== Choosing the council ===
The members of the council were all ''daimyō'' chosen due to their relation to the ''taikō'' and the amount of power they held in the country. Hideyoshi chose powerful ''daimyō'' to prevent authority being concentrated on a single ''daimyō''. Maeda Toshiie and Ukita Hideie were chosen due to their closeness with Hideyoshi as Maeda Toshiie was Hideyoshi's friend who had also served [[Oda Nobunaga]]. Maeda Toshiie was also chosen due to the respect he had from the Toyotomi family and Hideyoshi wanted to prevent Ieyasu from holding absolute power among the Five Elders. Ukita Hideie had been adopted under the name of ''Yuushi'' (Japanese:猶子) by Hideyoshi and his closeness with Hideyoshi also led him to be appointed as a member of the five elders.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.taigafan.com/sanadamaru/tozainanboku/p/31.html|title=第31回 あえなく崩れた五大老五奉行制、豊臣政権崩壊は秀吉の誤算に始まる - 真田丸の補足解説|website=www.taigafan.com|language=ja|access-date=2018-06-10}}</ref> These ''daimyō'' had also all served under Hideyoshi for many years in his house administration.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Warrior rule in Japan|date=1995|publisher=Cambridge University Press|last=Jansen|first=Marius B.|isbn=0521482399|location=New York, NY|pages=161|oclc=31515317}}</ref>

Even before the creation of the council, Hideyoshi treated the five differently from other ''daimyō''. One reason for this was the absence of a ''Toritsugi'' (Japanese: [[:ja:取次 (歴史学)|取次]]). ''Toritsugi'' acted as mediators that went between the ''daimyō'' to help with the communication of orders. This allowed each ''daimyō'' to talk directly to Hideyoshi, and it also meant that Hideyoshi would not intervene in the business of the ''daimyō'' in ruling their own domain. For the [[:ja:島津氏|Shimazu clan]], [[Ishida Mitsunari]] was appointed as the ''toritsugi,'' which also meant that Mitsunari and/or Toyotomi had power to intervene in Shimazu's domain. Hideyoshi expected the ''daimyō'' under his control to govern their lands and serve [[military]] services.

The larger the domains of the ''daimyō'' were, the more experienced those ''daimyō'' were at governing their lands. As such, Hideyoshi treated them differently than smaller ''daimyō'', who needed Hideyoshi to intervene in local governance. In the 1588 [[Sword hunt|Sword Hunt Policy]] (Japanese:刀狩 ''katanagari''), it is assumed that Hideyoshi only ordered smaller class ''daimyō'' to enforce the policy. The larger ''daimyō'' followed even without orders, but Hideyoshi did not strictly expect them to enforce the policy. Initially the sword hunt was intended to confiscate weapons to restrict formation of military forces, ensuring that no one could take the country by force. Hideyoshi could rely on the large ''daimyō'', who were experienced and equipped with large military forces, to suppress local powers if they rebelled. In this way, Hideyoshi's treatment of the larger ''daimyō'', Tokugawa, Maeda, Mori, and Uesugi, was exceptional.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Kesareta Hideyoshi no shinjitsu : Tokugawa shikan o koete|date=2011|publisher=Kashiwa Shobō|last1=Yamamoto|first1=Hirofumi|last2=Hori|first2=Shin|last3=Sone|first3=Yūji|isbn=9784760139941|location=Tōkyō|oclc=726819437}}</ref>

=== Subgroups related to the council ===
Hideyoshi also appointed the [[Go-Bugyō|Five Commissioners]] (Japanese: ''Go-Bugyō'') who were tasked to oversee the "basic business of the realm"; while the Elders were tasked to make sure that Hideyori would succeed Hideyoshi.{{sfn|Berry|1982|pp=139, 234}} During this time the Five Commissioners were [[Asano Nagamasa]], [[Mashita Nagamori]], [[Ishida Mitsunari]], [[Natsuka Masaie]] and [[Maeda Gen'i]].

The Elders had assistants known as ''chūro'' (Japanese: 中老) who acted as mediators, the Five Elders and the Five [[Commissioners]].{{sfn|Sansom|1961|pp=336–337}} The ''chūro'' at this time were Nakamura Kazu-uji of [[Suruga Province|Suruga]], [[Ikoma Chikamasa]] of [[Takamatsu Domain|Takamatsu]], and [[Horio Yoshiharu]] of [[Tottori Domain|Tottori]].

=== Oath of Allegiance ===
On the "fifth day of the eighth month", 1598, the Commissioners and the Regents signed the following articles:

'''Article 1.''' That they should serve Hideyori with the same single-minded loyalty they had shown to Hideyoshi.

'''Article 2.''' The rules of Hideyoshi's house would not be altered. When the Five Commissioners were unable to determine a course of action for administration of public affairs, they were to consult their master (Hideyori) through Ieyasu and Toshiie; or if taking action, they were to consult the Emperor.

'''Article 3'''. There were to be no factions among them. Personal considerations and partiality of every kind were to be excluded from their counsel.

'''Article 4.''' The Five Commissioners, or overseers, were to strive to work together in the administration of public affairs, suppressing all petty jealousies and differences.

'''Article 5'''. In settling matters the opinion of the majority was usually to be followed. But at the same time if the opinion of the minority showed no signs of being dictated by any personal interests, it should be duly considered. If only a few of the overseers were present when a question was settled, the absentees had no right to object unless it was quite evident that the private interests of the Commissioners present at the meeting prejudiced their minds in a wrong direction. In that case another meeting might be called.

'''Article 6.''' It goes without saying that all accounts had to be kept in a manner that was above suspicion. There were to be no irregularities and no pressing of personal interests.

'''Article 7.''' Whatever Hideyoshi desired to be kept secret, whether it were connected with his private life or with the Government, would not be allowed to leak.

'''Article 8.''' If any of the Commissioners or their followers found that unconsciously they had acted contrary to the orders given to them, they would immediately report this to their superior officers, who would then deal leniently with them.{{sfn|Dening|1971|p=[https://archive.org/details/lifeoftoyotomihi0000deni/page/269 269]}}

Hideyoshi used a talisman (Japanese: 護符 ''Gofu'') called ''Kumano-goufu'' (Japanese: 熊野牛王府) from [[Kumano shrine|Kumano Shrine]] when making an oath with ''daimyō'', and it is said that when Hideyoshi's death was near, he made the five elders to write vows to remain faithful to him after his death.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kumanohayatama.jp/?page_id=10|title=特別授与品 - 熊野速玉大社公式サイト｜和歌山県新宮市鎮座 根本熊野大権現 世界遺産|website=kumanohayatama.jp|language=ja|access-date=2018-06-17}}</ref> This vow is known in Japanese as ''Kishomon'' (Japanese: 起證文)''.''{{sfn|Dening|1971|p=270}}

=== Origin of the name "''Go-Tairō"'' ===
After the death of Hideyoshi, the five commissioners, including Ishida Mitsunari referred to Ieyasu and the other elders as ''Go-bugyoshu'' (Japanese:御奉行衆) and referred to the five commissioners as ''Toshiyoridomo'' (Japanese:年寄共) on ''Kishomon.'' He purposely used the term ''Go-bugyoshu'' to remind the elders that their job was to support Hideyori with their lives.<ref>{{Cite book|title=武家事紀|language=zh|trans-title=Samurai Jiki |year=}}</ref> On the other hand, [[Shimazu Yoshihisa]] referred to the five elders as ''Go-rojushu'' (Japanese: 御老中衆) and [[Katō Kiyomasa|Kato Kiyomasa]] called them the ''Nihon-Gotoshiyorishu'' (Japanese: 日本御年寄衆). They both called the five commissioners ''Go-bugyoshu'' (Japanese: 御奉行衆).<ref>{{Cite book|title=島津家文書|publisher=大日本史料}}</ref> People were calling them differently depending on their relationship with the five elders and the five commissioners, but there is no document that gives evidence that the Five Elders were actually called as ''Go-Tairo''. The word [[Tairō|''Tairo'']] (Japanese: 大老) was the name of the highest position that was temporarily a higher position than [[Rōjū|''Roju'']] (Japanese: 老中), under the Tokugawa Shogunate. It is believed that the Five Elders were referred to as the ''Go-Tairo'' after the title of ''Tairo'' was created in the [[Edo period|Edo Period]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=近世封権制成立史論 織豊政権の分析II|last=脇田|first=修|publisher=東京大学出版会|year=1977|isbn=978-4130200462}}</ref>

== The Five Elders ==

=== Tokugawa Ieyasu ===
[[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] (Japanese: 徳川 家康) controlled eight provinces in the [[Kantō region]] surrounding [[Edo]] (present-day [[Tokyo]]), and among the Five Elders, held the most power measured in ''[[koku]].''{{sfn|Berry|1982|pp=139, 234}} He was also entrusted by Hideyoshi with the order of ''Soufujirei'' (Japanese: 惣無事令) to take control of Kanto and Okuryogoku ([[Mutsu Province]] and [[Dewa Province]]) in 1587.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.taigafan.com/sanadamaru/tozainanboku/p/18.html|title=第18回 1586年の豊臣秀吉、統一目前で勢いは最高潮 - 真田丸の補足解説|website=www.taigafan.com|language=ja|access-date=2018-06-16}}</ref> After the Hidetsugu Incident (Japanese:秀次事件 ''Hidetsugu Jiken'') in 1597, Ieyasu was appointed to act as Regent temporarily until Hideyori reached 15 years of age and requested him to reside in Fushimi.{{sfn|Dening|1971|p=270}} Before the establishment of the council, Hideyoshi awarded the province of the Hojo to Ieyasu after the successful Odawara campaigns in the Kanto region.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book|title=Tokugawa Ieyasu : leadership, strategy, conflict|last1=Turnbull|first1= Stephen R.|last2=Rava|first2=Giuseppe|date=2012|publisher=Osprey Pub.|isbn=9781780964447|location=Oxford|oclc=803923982}}</ref> This action demonstrated the power that Hideyoshi had over Ieyasu.<ref name=":7" /> 

After the collapse of the Council, Ieyasu became the founder and first ''[[shōgun]]'' of the [[Tokugawa shogunate]], which effectively ruled Japan from the [[Battle of Sekigahara]] in 1600 until the [[Meiji Restoration]] in 1868.

=== Ukita Hideie ===
[[Ukita Hideie]] (Japanese: 宇喜多 秀家) was the ''[[daimyō]]'' of [[Bizen Province|Bizen]] and [[Mimasaka Province]]s (modern [[Okayama Prefecture]]). He was a military commander and feudal lord during the [[Azuchi-Momoyama|Azuchi-Momoyama period]]. Also referred to as ''Hachirō'' (八郎). At the age of 26, Ukita was elected to be one of the five elders when he returned from the Imjin war, also known as the Japanese invasions of Korea. (Japanese: [[Imjin war|慶弔の役]] ''keicho no eki''). While he was an elder, he was also serving as a ''daimyō'' during the [[Sengoku period|Warring States period]] (Japanese: 戦国時代 ''Sengoku Jidai''). He was banished to [[Hachijō-jima|Hachijō Island]] after the [[Battle of Sekigahara]].

=== Maeda Toshiie ===
[[Maeda Toshiie]] (Japanese: 前田 利家) was one of the leading generals of [[Oda Nobunaga]] following the [[Sengoku period]] of the 16th century extending to the [[Azuchi–Momoyama period]]. Referred to as ''Chikuzen'' in the letters by Hideyoshi.{{sfn|Boscaro|1975|p=99}} He became one of the Five Elders at the age of 53. Hideyoshi entrusted the province of [[Kaga Province|Kaga]] and [[Etchū Province|Etchū]] to Toshiie after taking the province from the ''daimyō'' [[Sassa Narimasa]]. While he was an elder, he also had a position as senior second rank (Japanese: 権大納言 ''[[List of Japanese court ranks, positions and hereditary titles|Gon-Dainagon]])'' and had the authority to pass his opinions on to the national government. After the death of Maeda Toshiie, his son, [[Maeda Toshinaga]] was to succeed him as a member of the Five Elders.

=== Uesugi Kagekatsu ===
[[Uesugi Kagekatsu]] (Japanese: 上杉 景勝) was a Japanese [[samurai]] and ''[[daimyō]]'' during the [[Sengoku period|Sengoku]] and [[Edo period]]s. He was the primary lord of the feudal domain of [[Yonezawa Domain|Yonesawa]]. He was elected to be a part of the Five Elders at the age of 43. Since the [[Battle of Shizugatake]] in 1583, he had cooperated with Hideyoshi by aiding him during battles, and he was one of the earliest ''daimyō'' to render homage to Hideyoshi.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://senjp.com/kagakatsu/|title=上杉景勝とは～豪毅果断・潔白謹厳で笑わない戦国武将|date=2014-10-01|work=戦国武将列伝Ω|access-date=2018-06-17|language=ja-JP}}</ref> Hideyoshi had made alliances with Kagekatsu because he had the potential power to attack Ieyasu from the Echigo province in the north.<ref name=":6" />

=== Mōri Terumoto ===
[[Mōri Terumoto]] (Japanese: 毛利 輝元) was a Japanese ''[[daimyō]]'' during the [[Azuchi–Momoyama period|Azuchi-Momoyama period]] and the [[Edo period]]. He was a descendant of the feudal lord of the [[Chōshū Domain|Choshu]] domain. He became one of the Five Elders at the age of 46.
Terumoto fought against Hideyoshi before the latter's rise to power, but lacked enough supporters.  Realizing that Hideyoshi would be the next leader of the country, he began to build trust by sending gifts to celebrate Hideyoshi's victory at the [[Battle of Shizugatake]] and helping him in the [[Kyūshū Campaign|Kyushu Campaign]] in 1587.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://senjp.com/mouri-terumoto/|title=毛利輝元とは【かろうじて毛利家をつないだ戦国大名】|date=2015-09-09|work=戦国武将列伝Ω|access-date=2018-06-17|language=ja-JP}}</ref>

He was allied with [[Ishida Mitsunari]] at the Battle of Sekigahara and acted as the head general of the Western Army.

=== Kobayakawa Takakage ===
[[Kobayakawa Takakage]] (Japanese: 小早川 隆景) was a [[samurai]] and ''[[daimyō]]'' (feudal lord) during the [[Sengoku period]] and [[Azuchi–Momoyama period]]. At first he fought against Hideyoshi as he was the one holding the power in the [[Mōri clan|Mōri family]], but after the [[Battle of Shizugatake]], he decided to submit to Hideyoshi.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://senjp.com/takakage/|title=小早川隆景【詳細版】～毛利家大きく支えた智将|date=2014-03-09|work=戦国武将列伝Ω|access-date=2018-06-17|language=ja-JP}}</ref> Under Hideyoshi's rule, he was assigned to be in charge of [[Chikuzen Province|Chikuzen province]], which is modern day [[Fukuoka]].<ref>{{Citation|last=映像授業 Try IT（トライイット）|title=【日本史】 近世１１ 織豊政権８ 豊臣秀吉５ （１１分）|date=2016-04-15|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FB_TZZ7jbE|access-date=2018-06-17}}</ref> Takakage handed over rule of the family to Hidetoshi (Hideaki) and retired, moved to [[Mihara Domain|Mihara]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=小早川隆景|last=渡辺|first=世祐|publisher=マツノ書店|year=1980}}</ref> Takakage refurbished [[Najima Castle]] (Japanese: [[:ja:名島城|名島城]] ''Najima Jō'') and made it his own residence. Kobayakawa died on June 12, 1597, at the age of 65. Due to the death of Kobayakawa in 1597, he is often excluded from the list of the Five Elders or referred as the 6th Elder.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://rekijin.com/?p=15841|title=【 幻のシックスマン？】 豊臣政権「五大老」、実は六人目にはあの智将がいた|access-date=2018-06-10|language=ja|archive-date=2018-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716170330/https://rekijin.com/?p=15841|url-status=dead}}</ref> After his death his nephew, Mōri Terumoto, took his place on the council of Five Elders.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Tokugawa Ieyasu2 full.JPG|Tokugawa Ieyasu
File:Ukita Hideie.jpg|Ukita Hideie
File:Maeda Toshiie.jpg|Maeda Toshiie
File:Uesugi Kagekatsu.jpg|Uesugi Kagekatsu
File:Mori Terumoto.jpg|Mōri Terumoto
File:Kobayakawa Takakage (Beisanji Mihara).jpg|Kobayakawa Takakage
</gallery>

== Roles of the Council Members ==
=== Raising Hideyoshi's heir ===
Hideyoshi had given ownership of Osaka castle to his son Hideyori in 1594, Hideyori was just one year old at the time.<ref name=":8" /> [[Maeda Toshiie]] was given the order to raise Hideyori in Osaka Castle until he came of age to take his place as Hideyoshi's successor.<ref name="1949- 2014 159">{{Cite book|title= Een geschiedenis van Japan : van samurai tot soft power|last= Vande Walle |first= Willy F. |date=2014|publisher=Acco|isbn= 978-946292039-2|edition= Derde, herwerkte uitgave|location=Leuven|page = 159|oclc=905221450}}</ref> Tokugawa Ieyasu was also charged with the role of guardian of Hideyori, as well as to see to Hideyori being appointed to the role of Regent.{{sfn|Sansom|1961|p=368}} Ukita Hideie was to be counted on as a loyal member of Hideyori's service.{{sfn|Sansom|1961|p=368}}

=== Attending to political business ===
Ieyasu was appointed by Hideyoshi to act as [[Sesshō and Kampaku|Regent]] (Japanese: 摂政 ''Sesshō'') until Hideyori reached maturity and could take his place as leader.{{sfn|Dening|1971|p=270}} Uesugi Kagekatsu and Mōri Terumoto were to be informed and consulted on all political matters as advisers. The Elders were to deal with the administering of punishment to any person who broke the law. All monetary transactions were to be supervised by the Elders, and the elders were tasked with to setting up an account for Hideyori when he came of age.{{sfn|Sansom|1961|p=368}}

=== Withdrawal from Korea ===
After Hideyoshi's death the Council of Five Elders issued an order for the Japanese army at the Korean Peninsula to return. The Council feared disorder among Hideyoshi's troops in Korea if they were to be told of his death and so, his death was not told to the armies in order to preserve their morale. After the withdrawal of Japanese armies which followed a military stalemate, the final peace negotiations to mark the end of war continued for several years.<ref>Turnbull, Stephen. Samurai Invasions of Korea 1592–1598, p. 85</ref>

=== Other roles ===
Ieyasu and Toshiie were to clear up any difficulties in administration encountered by the [[Go-Bugyō|Five Commissioners]], further acting as advisers or mediators in administration matters.{{sfn|Dening|1971|p=270}} The sons of both Tokugawa Ieyasu and Maeda Toshiie ([[Tokugawa Hidetada]] and [[Maeda Toshinaga]] respectively) were to assist their fathers with work related to the Five Elders, with plan of the latter being appointed as an Elder in the future.{{sfn|Sansom|1961|p=368}}

'''Changes to Oath of Allegiance document'''

Tokugawa Ieyasu made some changes to Article 2 of the Oath of Allegiance document that no rules shall be amended, and that decisions were to be made by the majority in all cases.{{sfn|Dening|1971|p=270}}

On the Article 6 of the Allegiance Document Ieyasu added the following statements: "No questions concerning landed estate will be dealt with during the minority of Hideyori. No petitions made to him will be sent in; neither will Ieyasu himself ask for any changes to be made in the matter of land-ownership nor will he accept any gifts of land from Hideyori during his minority."{{sfn|Dening|1971|p=270}}

Maeda Toshiie added the following words "When Hideyori shall have reached his majority, certain representations shall be made to him by the Five Commissioners and by Ieyasu in reference to the bestowal of land on those whose services deserve reward and in reference to the confiscation of land in the case of those who have acted unworthily."{{sfn|Dening|1971|p=270}}

=== Power balance between the council ===
The power balance between the council depended on the position each members held and the amount of ''[[koku]]'' they held. Ieyasu was entitled with the position of inner minister (Japanese: 内大臣 ''[[Naidaijin]]'') in the fifth month of 1596.{{sfn|Sadler|1937|pp=182, 185}}  Maeda was acting as counselor of the first rank (Japanese: 大納言 ''[[Dainagon]]'')and the other three were counselors of the second rank (Japanese: 中納言 [[Chūnagon|''Chunagon'']]).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://historivia.com/cat4/tokugawa-ieyasu/4776/|title=五大老筆頭 徳川家康は他の大老たちを凌駕するだけの力を持っていた！？|date=2016-01-17|work=ひすとりびあ|access-date=2018-06-10|language=ja-JP}}</ref> Ieyasu was in the highest position among the members and his ownership of a great amount of ''koku'' allowed him to secure his position among other Elders. In general, 10,000 ''koku'' was believed to be equivalent to having 250 soldiers in one's control, so the amount of ''Koku'' (Japanese: 石) didn't only represent the income each ''daimyō'' has, but show how much military power they held.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://rekishi-note.hatenablog.com/entry/2017/02/02/210846|title=戦国大名の軍事力はどれくらい？ - 日本史が好きになる？歴史ブログ|date=2017-02-02|work=日本史が好きになる？歴史ブログ|access-date=2018-06-17|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716165959/http://rekishi-note.hatenablog.com/entry/2017/02/02/210846 |archive-date=2018-07-16|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hideyoshi himself owned approximately 2,000,000 koku, not including the lands held by his most trusted vassals. Ieyasu was also known as a powerful military commander, and Hideyoshi's fear of Ieyasu and riots in favor of Ieyasu also led him to appoint Ieyasu as a member of the Council of Five Elders.<ref name=":2" />

The amount of potential income, measured in ''[[koku]]'', that each council member held (one ''koku'' = 4.96 bushels or 278.3 liters of rice):<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |title=A brief history of Japanese civilization|last=Conrad |first= Schirokauer |date=2013|publisher= Wadsworth, Cengage Learning|last2=Lurie|first2= David Barnett|last3=Gay|first3=Suzanne Marie |isbn= 978-0-49591325-2|edition= 4th|location= Boston, MA|oclc=772592935}}</ref>
* Tokugawa Ieyasu: 2,400,000 ''koku''
* Maeda Toshiie: 830,000 ''koku''
* Ukita Hideie: 570,000 ''koku''
* Uesugi Kagekatsu: 1,200,000 ''koku''
* Mori Terumoto: 1,120,000 ''koku''

== Tokugawa hegemony ==
Ieyasu engaged his sons and daughters into political marriages which became a cause of disagreement between the Elders and Commissioners.{{sfn|Sadler|1937|pp=182, 185}} Ieyasu married his son Tadateru to [[Date Masamune]]'s daughter [[Irohahime]]. The cause for disagreement in these matters were due to statements in ”The wall writings of Osaka Castle" (Japanese: 大阪城中壁書 ''Osakajochu-kabegaki'') of 1595 that marriages would need the consultation of both Elders and Commissioners.{{sfn|Berry|1982|p=144}} The Commissioners called for Ieyasu's resignation on the grounds of these marriages.{{sfn|Sadler|1937|p=186}} One of the retainers, [[Ishida Mitsunari]], complained about this matter to Maeda Toshiie. Ieyasu insisted that it was not a big matter; and this issue was resolved by [[Horio Yoshiharu]], who happened to be a friend of Ieyasu.{{sfn|Sadler|1937|p=186}}

=== Rise of conflict ===
After the death of Hideyoshi, friction generated between the council members.  Two factions formed, the ''Bunchiha'' (Japanese: 文治派; those who wished for a state governed by a specialized civil service) and the ''Bundanha'' (Japanese: 武断派; those in favor of a strong military authority); Tokugawa Ieyasu was part of the ''bundanha''. One year after Maeda Toshiie died, Ieyasu saw his chance to take control. The death of Maeda Toshiie in 1599 made Ieyasu the most experienced of the Five Elders. Finally, due to the fact that Uesugi Kagekatsu had been illegally constructing and restoring forts, Ieyasu was able to justify going to battle which led to the [[Battle of Sekigahara]] in 1600.<ref name="1949- 2014 159"/> Following the battle, in 1603, Ieyasu became [[Shōgun]] while Hideyori was declared ''[[naidaijin]]''. Ieyasu sent his granddaughter, [[Senhime]] to Osaka to marry Hideyori in order to stabilize the relationship between the two families.{{sfn|Dening|1971|p=270}}

[[File:Tokugawa family crest.svg|thumb|107x107px|The Tokugawa Clan's Crest ([[Mon (emblem)|Mon]])]]
Tokugawa Ieyasu rose to power while originally working in the name of [[Toyotomi Hideyori]].  Ieyasu's power seemed to be threatened by Hideyori in a long series of plots both against Ieyasu and Hideyori occurred followed by the multiple battles of the [[Siege of Osaka]] (1614–15).  Tokugawa Ieyasu was victorious against the Toyotomi clan, eliminating them completely, thus cementing his place as ruler of Japan.<ref name="D. 1995 53">{{Cite book|url= https://archive.org/details/earlymodernjapan0000totm/page/53|title=Early modern Japan|last=Totman|first=Conrad D.|date=1995 |publisher= University of California Press |isbn= 978-0-52091726-2 |location=Berkeley |page = [https://archive.org/details/earlymodernjapan0000totm/page/53 53]|oclc=47007934|url-access= registration}}</ref>

[[File:Toyotomi mon.png|thumb|107x107px|The Toyotomi Clan's Crest ([[Mon (emblem)|Mon]])]]
Following the Tokugawa victory at the [[Siege of Osaka]] in 1615, Ieyasu was not satisfied with destruction of Hideyori alone, but in order to make sure the Toyotomi clan would not be able to return to power in the future, he had as many as possible of the Toyotomi family killed, or in the case of Hideyori's daughter, placed in a nunnery.<ref name="D. 1995 53"/> Ieyasu had Hideyori's son Kunimatsu, then 8 years old, killed at the Rokujō riverbed (Rokujō-Gawara) in Kyoto.{{sfn|Dening|1971|p=270}}

== In popular culture ==
The Council of Five Elders can also be seen in Japanese historical drama, [[Taiga drama|''Taiga Drama'']], which is broadcast by [[NHK]]. This topic is briefly mentioned in ''[[Gunshi Kanbei]]'' and ''[[Tenchijin]]'', and more in detail in [[Sanada Maru (Taiga drama)|''Sanadamaru'']].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www6.nhk.or.jp/drama/pastprog/detail.html?i=kanbe2|title=大河ドラマ「軍師官兵衛」｜NHKドラマ|last=日本放送協会|website=NHKドラマ|language=ja|access-date=2018-06-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ch-ginga.jp/feature/tenchijin/cast/index.html|title=人物紹介 {{!}} 大河ドラマ「天地人」 {{!}} チャンネル銀河|website=www.ch-ginga.jp|access-date=2018-06-15}}</ref> In the 31st episode of ''Sanadamaru'', a brief explanation of why the Council of Five Elders didn't work out as Hideyoshi expected is explained and we can also see that Elders were referred as ''Otonashu''(Japanese: 老衆). The drama also shows that early death of Maeda Toshiie had led to Ieyasu gaining more power, and [[Ishida Mitsunari]]'s lack of popularity among the Toyotomi family caused a lot people to support Ieyasu during the Battle of Sekigahara.<ref name=":2" />

== See also ==
* [[Yodo-dono]]
* [[Azuchi–Momoyama period|Azuchi-Momoyama Period]]
* [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]]
* [[Toyotomi Hideyori]]
* [[Battle of Sekigahara]]
* [[Go-Bugyō|Five Commissioners]]
* [[Tokugawa Shogunate]]
* [[Edo Period]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{Cite book |title=A history of Japan, 1334-1615 |last=Sansom |first=George Bailey |date=1961 |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=0804705259 |location=Stanford, California |oclc=16859819}}
* {{Cite book |title=Hideyoshi |last=Berry |first=Mary Elizabeth |date=1982 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=0674390253 |location=Cambridge, Mass. |oclc=8195691}}
* {{Cite book |title=101 Letters of Hideyoshi |last=Boscaro |first=Adriana |publisher=Sophia University |year=1975 |location=Tokyo}}
* {{Cite book |title=The life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi |last=Dening |first=Walter |date=1971 |publisher=AMS Press |isbn=040402078X |location=New York |oclc=1392654 |url=https://archive.org/details/lifeoftoyotomihi0000deni}}
* {{Cite book |title=The maker of modern Japan : the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu |last=Sadler |first=Arthur Lindsay |publisher=Unwin Brothers Ltd. |year=1937 |location=London}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Toyotomi government}}
[[Category:Government of feudal Japan]]
[[Category:Tairō]]
[[Category:1598 in Japan]]