TheWakadoshiyori (若年寄), or "Junior Elders", were high government officials in theEdo periodJapan under theTokugawa shogunate (1603-1867). The position was established around 1633, but appointments were irregular until 1662. The four to sixwakadoshiyori were subordinates to therōjū in status, but they ranked above thejisha-bugyō. The served for a month at a time on a rotating basis and were selected from the ranks of thefudai daimyō. There were periods when the number ofwakadoshiyori rose to 6 or 7 at one time.[1]
Thewakadoshiyori were tasked with supervising the direct vassals of theshōgun, namely thehatamoto andgokenin using reports provided by themetsuke. They also oversaw the activities of artisans and physicians, organised and supervisedpublic works projects and were in change of theshōgun's personal guards. In the event of war, thewakadoshiyori were theoretically to lead thehatamoto in battle.[2]
