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Tsunayoshi succeeded his elder brother [[Tokugawa Ietsuna]] to become shogun on 1680/8/23. His rule is described as being quite strict at times, but as also quite arbitrary, and Tsunayoshi is generally regarded as one of the least competent of the shoguns. Even so, the bureaucrats and administrators under him did well, maintaining the day-to-day governance of the nation, and Japan saw several decades of incredible prosperity before the bubble burst and real problems began to sink in. The first of Tsunayoshi's "Laws of Compassion" were issued in [[1687]]; in [[1708]], he issued a further series of edicts, obligating that all animals were to be kindly treated; that if horses got tired while being ridden, they were to be stabled and taken care of by whatever mansions are nearby; and that post-horses were not to be overtaxed, and were to be well taken care of in both shogunal and domain lands.<ref>Hakuseki, 287n150.</ref>

Tsunayoshi succeeded his elder brother [[Tokugawa Ietsuna]] to become shogun on 1680/8/23. His rule is described as being quite strict at times, but as also quite arbitrary, and Tsunayoshi is generally regarded as one of the least competent of the shoguns. Even so, the bureaucrats and administrators under him did well, maintaining the day-to-day governance of the nation, and Japan saw several decades of incredible prosperity before the bubble burst and real problems began to sink in. The first of Tsunayoshi's "Laws of Compassion" were issued in [[1687]]; in [[1708]], he issued a further series of edicts, obligating that all animals were to be kindly treated; that if horses got tired while being ridden, they were to be stabled and taken care of by whatever mansions are nearby; and that post-horses were not to be overtaxed, and were to be well taken care of in both shogunal and domain lands.<ref>Hakuseki, 287n150.</ref>

Tsunayoshi is also known, however, as a great patron of "Chinese studies" (''[[kangaku]]''), and of [[Obaku|Ôbaku]] [[Zen]], which was introduced to Japan during his reign. Tsunayoshi supported the ''kangaku'' scholars [[Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu]] and [[Ogyu Sorai|Ogyû Sorai]], and invited Chinese Zen monks, and Chinese and Japanese scholars of the [[Chinese classics]] to audiences and discussions. As shogun, he is said to have styled himself as both a devout Buddhist, and also taking after the Confucianist ideal of the [[sage-king]]. Tsunayoshi commissioned or funded the publication of numerous texts of Confucian and other learnings, including the ''[[Six Courses in Morals]]'', in accordance with the belief that educating the masses would contribute to bringing the realm into greater harmony and order.

Tsunayoshi is also known, however, as a great patron of "Chinese studies" (''[[kangaku]]''), and of [[Obaku|Ôbaku]] [[Zen]], which was introduced to Japan during his reign. Tsunayoshi supported the ''kangaku'' scholars [[Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu]] and [[Ogyu Sorai|Ogyû Sorai]], and invited Chinese Zen monks, and Chinese and Japanese scholars of the [[Chinese classics]] to audiences and discussions. As shogun, he is said to have styled himself as both a devout Buddhist, and also taking after the Confucianist ideal of the [[sage-king]]. Tsunayoshi commissioned or funded the publication of numerous texts of Confucian and other learnings, including the ''[[Six Courses in Morals]]'', in accordance with the belief that educating the masses would contribute to bringing the realm into greater harmony and order. He also delivered some 240 lectures on Confucian topics between [[1693]] and [[1700]], permitting anyone to attend.<ref>Cecilia Segawa Seigle, “Tokugawa Tsunayoshi and the Formation of Edo Castle Rituals of Giving,” in Martha Chaiklin (ed.), ''Mediated by Gifts: Politics and Society in Japan 1350-1850'', Brill (2017), 129n36.</ref>

He also showed a great interest in Japanese imperial traditions, reviving the ''[[Daijosai|Daijôsai]]'' (harvest festival) ritual which had not been practiced since the 15th century, and sponsoring efforts to identify and restore Imperial tombs. Sixty-six of 78 tombs considered to be imperial tombs acquired their standard identifications as a result of the latter set of efforts, during Tsunayoshi's time.<ref>[[Marius Jansen]], ''China in the Tokugawa World'', Harvard University Press (1992), 60.</ref>

He also showed a great interest in Japanese imperial traditions, reviving the ''[[Daijosai|Daijôsai]]'' (harvest festival) ritual which had not been practiced since the 15th century, and sponsoring efforts to identify and restore Imperial tombs. Sixty-six of 78 tombs considered to be imperial tombs acquired their standard identifications as a result of the latter set of efforts, during Tsunayoshi's time.<ref>[[Marius Jansen]], ''China in the Tokugawa World'', Harvard University Press (1992), 60.</ref>