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Yoshimune is known for taking a more proactive tack in effecting shogunate control over many facets of the economy of the realm. Among his many policies, he effected a dramatic increase in the domestic production of [[sugar]], [[silk]], and [[ginseng]], three goods which had previously been heavily imported, as part of efforts to stem the outflow of [[silver]] from the country.<ref>Robert Hellyer, ''Defining Engagement'', Harvard University Press (2009), 49-50.</ref> He also imposed a variety of [[sumptuary laws]], and granted authorization to merchant groups to form ''[[kabunakama]]'', groups which paid the shogunate fees in exchange for monopoly rights to production and distribution of certain goods.<ref>Hellyer, 86.</ref>
Yoshimune is known for taking a more proactive tack in effecting shogunate control over many facets of the economy of the realm. Among his many policies, he effected a dramatic increase in the domestic production of [[sugar]], [[silk]], and [[ginseng]], three goods which had previously been heavily imported, as part of efforts to stem the outflow of [[silver]] from the country.<ref>Robert Hellyer, ''Defining Engagement'', Harvard University Press (2009), 49-50.</ref> He also imposed a variety of [[sumptuary laws]], and granted authorization to merchant groups to form ''[[kabunakama]]'', groups which paid the shogunate fees in exchange for monopoly rights to production and distribution of certain goods.<ref>Hellyer, 86.</ref>
==Accession==
The ritual protocols and procedures surrounding Yoshimune's accession to the position of shogun are an oft-cited example of shogunal ritual, and in particular of shogunal proclamations (宣下, ''senge''), the most important type of ritual in the Tokugawa Book of Rites (''[[Tokugawa reiten roku]]'').
After the death at age eight of Shogun [[Tokugawa Ietsugu]] on 1716/4/30, Yoshimune, then head of the [[Kishu Tokugawa clan|Kishû Tokugawa clan]] and ''daimyô'' of [[Wakayama han]], was elevated from Junior 3rd rank Chûnagon to Senior 2nd rank Dainagon, in preparation for being named shogun.
After receiving formal greetings from members of the ''[[gosanke]]'' and the ''daimyô'' of the ''tamari-no-ma'' in the ''shiroshoin'' of [[Edo castle]], Yoshimune moved to the upper ''dan'' (''jôdan'') of the ''Ôhiroma'', to give the proclamation. Everyone dressed in aristocratic court costume (''[[sokutai]]''). First, two Imperial messengers stepped up to the upper ''dan'', read out the Imperial proclamation, and then sat to the left side in the middle ''dan'' (''chû-dan''). Next, two envoys from the Retired Emperor and from the empress, respectively, offered formal greetings to Yoshimune and then sat on the right side of the middle ''dan''. An announcing messenger (告使) then turned towards Yoshimune and announced in formal tones, "a promotion, a promotion!" (御昇進御昇進, ''goshôshin, goshôshin''), before withdrawing. Normally, this would have been done from the garden, but as it was raining that day, it was done from the corridor or veranda (縁側, ''engawa'') just outside the audience hall. The second of the Imperial envoys then took the special box (''goranbako'') containing the Imperial proclamation over to the corridor, and passed it to the Mibukanmu, who in turn passed it to ''kôke'' (high-ranking officials) in the center of the corridor, who then passed it on to Yoshimune, seated in the upper ''dan''. Yoshimune removed the order from the box, read it, bowed to it, and passed it to the ''wakadoshiyori''. Yoshimune was thus officially invested as ''Seii-tai-shôgun'', General of the Imperial Guard (''ukon'e no daishô''), and head of the [[Minamoto clan]] (''Genji chôja''). Two packets of gold dust were placed in the ''goranbako'', which was then returned to the Imperial officials. The process was repeated once, to appoint Yoshimune [[Naidaijin]] (Minister of the Center) as well.<ref>Fukai Masaumi, ''Edo-jô wo yomu'', Harashobô (1997), 26.</ref>
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