Wakadoshiyori

• Japanese: 若年寄 (wakadoshiyori)

The wakadoshiyori, sometimes known as "junior councillors," were a group of high-ranking shogunal advisors, chosen from among the fudai daimyô, and nominally considered as just below the rôjû, though they wielded considerably less power.

The main role of the wakadoshiyori was to oversee the metsuke (inspectors) and hatamoto (shogunal bannermen), along with their lands and activities. Metsuke informed the wakadoshiyori of conditions in the hatamoto households and fiefs, and of whether policies were being obeyed. The wakadoshiyori also oversaw a number of other groups of shogunal officials, including magistrates of lesser public works (kobushi bugyô), castle guards (shoinban), shogunal pages (koshô), hatamoto firemen (jô-bikeshi), shogunate commanders of archers & gunmen (sakite kumigashira), arson & theft inspectors (hitsuke tôzoku aratame), and workhouse magistrates (yoseba bugyô).

References

• Mitani Hiroshi, David Noble (trans.), Escape from Impasse, International House of Japan (2006), xxiv-xxviii.