1604

Keichô 9 (慶長九年)

Other Events

• The itowappu system is established, by which the Tokugawa shogunate grants monopolistic privileges in certain aspects of commerce to select Japanese and Portuguese merchants.
• The shogunate issues the first shuinjô (vermillion seal licenses) to authorize traders' activities in Southeast Asia, Korea, and elsewhere.
• The shogunate issues edicts formally announcing the beginnings of plans to assimilate and annex Ezo (Hokkaidô). The Matsumae clan of Matsumae han, the only domain on the island, is granted exclusive trading rights with the Ainu in exchange for undertaking various responsibilities regarding the administration of the island and its native inhabitants.

Births and Deaths

• 1604/8/12 Tokugawa Iemitsu, third Tokugawa shogun, is born (d. 1651).

Previous Year 1603

1604

Following Year 1605