Date Tsunamura

was an early Edo period Japanese samurai, and the 4th daimyō of Sendai Domain in northern Japan, and the 20h hereditary chieftain of the Date clan. Tsunamura's succession led to the Date Sōdō or "Date Disturbance" of 1671, which has been retold in theatre, and has become one of the more well-known tales of unrest and disunity among the daimyō of the Edo period. Biography Tsunamura was the eldest son of Date Tsunamune by a concubine. His childhood name was Kamechiyo-maru (亀千代丸). He was later styled , but his name was changed to Date Tsunamura during his genpuku ceremony, which was held by shōgun Tokugawa Ietsuna. In later life, his courtesy title was Sakonoe-gon-shōshō (General of the Left Guards) and Mutsu-no-kami and his Court rank was Senior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade. Tsunamura became daimyō at the age of 2, when his father was relieved of his position due to political manipulations by his uncles, Date Munekatsu, daimyō of Ichinoseki Domain and Date Masamune's 10th son, and Tamura Muneyoshi, daimyō of Iwanuma Domain. From 1660 to 1671, the two uncles acted as guardians for the infant Tsunamura, usurping his authority and becoming notorious for their greed, corruption and misgovernment. The domain was beset by constant peasant rebellions and (according to popular history) Tsumanura narrowly avoided assassination by his uncles on several occasions. Events came to a head with the Date Sōdō, which also became a favorite theme of popular fiction, including bunraku and kabuki. Aki Muneshige, a relative from a cadet branch of the Date clan and retainer of Date Tsunamune managed to register a complaint to the shogunate officials about the mismanagement of the domain. Aki and various domain officials were summoned before the council of rōjū and the Tairō Sakai Tadakiyo. Testimony between Aki and the retainers of Munekatsu and Muneyoshi did not agree, and the testimony of Munekatsu's retainer Harada Munesuke made a particularly poor impression. Harada then murdered Aki before further testimony could be given, before being killed himself by the guards. The court ruled in favor of Aki. Tsunamura was allowed to remain daimyō; however, his uncles Munekatsu and Muneyoshi were removed from office.