Matsudaira Tadamasa
A samurai lord who navigated the treacherous early Edo period, securing his clan's power through political savvy and military service.
1598–1645 (age 47)·Japanese samurai·Birthday: January 21
Biography
Born into the volatile world of late Sengoku Japan, Matsudaira Tadamasa came of age just as the Tokugawa shogunate was cementing its control. His life was a masterclass in feudal politics, moving from the battlefield to the administrative halls of power. He served as daimyō of the Ōno and Matsumoto domains, demonstrating a sharp ability to manage land and people in an era where a single misstep could mean ruin. Tadamasa's legacy is less about flashy heroics and more about the steady, calculated governance that defined the long peace of the Edo period. He ensured his lineage's survival and status, a quiet but profound achievement in a system built on loyalty and obligation.
#1 When Matsudaira Was Born
The biggest hits of 1598
Matsudaira's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1598Born
1603Started school
1611Became a teenager
1614Could drive
1616Could vote
1619Turned 21
1628Turned 30
1638Turned 40
1645Died at 47
Key Achievements
- Served as the daimyō of Ōno Domain in Echizen Province from 1635 to 1642.
- Transferred and ruled as daimyō of Matsumoto Domain in Shinano Province from 1642 until his death.
- Successfully maintained his clan's standing and holdings during a critical period of Tokugawa consolidation.
Did You Know?
He was a relative of the Tokugawa shoguns, belonging to a branch of the Matsudaira clan.
His final domain, Matsumoto, is famous for its stunning 'Crow Castle' (Matsumoto Castle), which he governed.
He died at the age of 47, a relatively common lifespan for the period.
“A lord's duty is to secure his domain and serve the shogun with unwavering loyalty.”
