Yoshinobu Tokugawa was the 15th and last shōgun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan. He was part of a movement which aimed to reform the aging shogunate, but was ultimately unsuccessful. After resigning in late 1867, he went into retirement, and largely avoided the public eye for the rest of his life.
Background
Yoshinobu Tokugawa was born on October 28, 1837 in Edo (now Tokyo, Japan). He was the seventh son of Tokugawa Nariaki, daimyō of Mito. His mother, Princess Arisugawa Yoshiko, was a member of the Arisugawa-no-miya, a cadet branch of the imperial family.
Education
He was taught in the literary and martial arts, as well as receiving a solid education in the principles of politics and government at Kōdōkan.
Career
Succeeded to Hitotsubashi family (1862) and became a guardian of the Shogun. Was appointed commander of Imperial Palace guards and coastal guards (1864), and military commissioner of Kyoto.
Upon death of lemochi, 14th Shogun, he was appointed Shogun (1866). The following year was appointed minister of Imperial Household. Judging from situations at home and abroad, Yoshinobu returned reigns of government to the Emperor. In 1866, defeated in battle at Fushimi (Kyoto), he returned to Edo.
Emperor Meiji deprived him of titles and Court rank and sent a punitive army to Edo. Yoshinobu confined himself in Kan-eiji Temple at Ueno to show his penitence. By Imperial order, he was removed to Mito. In 1867, was pardoned and again removed to Shizuoka. He was Shogun for less than a year, but as a clan ruler made great efforts to carry out clan administration with wisdom in the revolutionary years. He was an able Shogun in ability, intelligence, and in judgment of foreign affairs.
Living a life in quiet retirement, Yoshinobu indulged in many hobbies. In 1902, the Meiji Emperor allowed him to reestablish his own house as a Tokugawa branch (bekke) with the highest rank in the peerage, that of prince (kōshaku), for his loyal service to Japan. He took a seat in the House of Peers, resigning in 1910.
Tokugawa Yoshinobu died on November 21, 1913 and is buried in Yanaka Cemetery, Tokyo.