Iemasa Tokugawa | |
|---|---|
 Tokugawa as the President of the House of Peers (1946–1947) | |
| Born | (1884-03-23)March 23, 1884 |
| Died | February 18, 1963(1963-02-18) (aged 78) |
| Alma mater | Tokyo Imperial University |
| Title | Prince, Head of the Tokugawa clan |
| Spouse | Naoko Shimazu |
| Children | Iehide Tokugawa Toyoko Tokugawa |
| Parent(s) | Tokugawa Iesato Konoe Hiroko |
| Relatives | Tsunenari Tokugawa (grandson) |
PrinceIemasa Tokugawa (徳川 家正,Tokugawa Iemasa, March 23, 1884 – February 18, 1963) also known as Iyemasa, was a Japanese political figure of theTaishō and earlyShōwa periods. He was the 17th hereditary head of the formershogunal branch of theTokugawa clan and the final President of theHouse of Peers in theDiet of Japan.
Iemasa Tokugawa was born in what is now theSendagaya district of Tokyo, as the eldest son ofTokugawa Iesato and his wife,Konoe Hiroko, daughter ofKonoe Tadafusa. He graduated from theFaculty of Law atTokyo Imperial University (the University of Tokyo) in 1909, and accepted a post in the diplomatic corps ofForeign Ministry the same year. In 1924, he was appointedConsul-general to the Japanese consulate inSydney,Australia. In 1929, he was appointedEnvoy toCanada and from 1937 to 1939 served as the Japanese ambassador toTurkey.[1]
Iemasa often allied with his fatherPrince Tokugawa Iesato (aka Prince Iyesato Tokugawa) in promoting international goodwill projects between Japan and Europe, Canada, and United States. The Art of Peace[2] book cover photo illustration presents Iemasa accompanying his father as his father receives an honorary doctor of laws degree from the president of theUniversity of Southern California in 1934. During that same year, on May 10, 1934, Iyemasa was also recognized for his humanitarian and goodwill diplomatic efforts by a prominent North American University and was given an honorary doctor of laws degree from theUniversity of British Columbia in Canada.[3]
In 1940, on the death of his father, he inherited the title ofkōshaku (公爵, 'prince' or 'duke') under thekazoku peerage system, and a seat as a member of theHouse of Peers of theDiet of Japan. On June 19, 1946, he served as the President of the House of Peers, a post which he held until May 2, 1947, when theAllied occupation authorities authorized the currentConstitution of Japan abolishing the House of Peers along with theNobility.
He died ofheart disease at his home inShibuya, Tokyo, on February 18, 1963, and was posthumously awarded theOrder of the Rising Sun withPaulownia Flowers, 1st class. His grave is located at the Yanaka Cemetery in Tokyo. He was succeeded as head of the Tokugawa clan byTsunenari Tokugawa, his grandson fromYasuko Tokugawa withMatsudaira Ichiro, son ofTsuneo Matsudaira.
| Preceded by | Tokugawa family head June 5, 1940 – February 18, 1963 | Succeeded by |
