Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu

Born in war, Tokugawa Ieyasu thrived on conflict, rising to such prominence that his very name has become associated with one of Japan’s most powerful and significant eras. His given name was Matsudaira Takechiyo. At the time of his birth, his parents were only 15 and 17 years old, and in less than two years, his mother was dismissed and the couple separated permanently. With his mother gone, Takechiyo quickly became embroiled in the brutal affairs of his father’s family, the Matsudaira clan. During Takechiyo’s childhood, the Matsudaira was torn in its allegiance. Half of the family wished to side with the Imagawa clan, while the other side preferred the Oda clan. In 1548, when the Oda clan invaded their province, Takechiyo’s father went to the Imagawa clan for help. The leader of the Imagawa agreed to aid the Matsidaira clan, but on one condition: that young Takechiyo, a six-year-old boy, be given as a hostage. His father agreed. But before the exchange could be carried out, the leader of the Oda clan learned of the arrangement and had the boy abducted en route to his destination. The Oda threatened to kill the boy if Matsudaira did not sever his ties with the Imagawa, their sworn enemy. The boy’s father refused. He believed his actions would prove his loyalty to his ally, even at the expense of his own son. Takechiyo stayed with the Oda for three years, until their castle was besieged by the Imagawa and he was given to them as incentive to cease their attack. Ever since his birth, the boy had been little more than a pawn in the affairs of those around him. In 1567, Matsudaira Takechiyo changed his given name to Ieyasu, and took the surname Tokugawa, thus claiming descent from the imperial Minamoto clan, although no proof supporting this connection has ever been discovered. By taking this name, Ieyasu made his ambitions quite clear. Not only did he distance himself from his past, but he also hinted at a confident and commanding future. By that time he was the veteran of many wars and had gained a reputation as a fearless and crafty general, prone to taking the best advantage of shifting alliances and family rifts. He had used his alliances to build up his territory and gain influence, allying first with the powerful Oda Nobunaga, and then with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who was slowly uniting the warring clans into a tenuous coalition. Hen Hideyoshi invaded Korea in the 1590s; Ieyasu wisely chose not to participate, and instead focused on domestic production and organizing his army. While other generals sent their men to die in the disastrous invasions, Ieyasu waited and watched. When Hideyoshi died in 1598, his lands suddenly became targets for all of his former enemies turned allies, and none of these men were as powerful as Tokugawa Ieyasu. During the legendary Sekigahara campaign (1598-1600), Ieyasu and those loyal to him defeated the army of loyalists who had sworn to protect the dynasty of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. At the Battle of Sekigahara in October 1600, Ieyasu claimed ultimate victory, executing his enemies and rewarding his friends. Two years later he received the title of shogun and established the Tokugawa Shogunate, ushering in the Edo period, a military dictatorship that lasted until 1868. In Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition, Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu is the aggressive, opportunistic leader that he was in life. He attacks early and often, and prefers to invest in military units rather than establish Trading Posts on Trade Routes.

From the game's History encyclopedia, AoE3: DE 100.19.18309.