Tokugawa Yoshikatsu

was a Japanese daimyō of the late Edo period, who ruled the Owari Domain as its 14th (1849–1858) and 17th daimyō (1870–1880). He was the brother of Matsudaira Katamori. His childhood name was Hidenosuke (秀之助). Early years Yoshikatsu was born in the Takasu Domain residence (Yotsuya neighborhood of Edo). His mother was Norihime (daughter of Tokugawa Harutoshi), Tokugawa Nariaki was his maternal uncle, and the future shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu was his cousin. The most recent four daimyos of the Owari Domain had been foster sons sent to Owari from lineages close to the Shogunal family: Tokugawa Naritomo (10th, 1800–1827) Tokugawa Nariharu (11th, 1827–1839), Tokugawa Naritaka (12th, 1839–1845), Tokugawa Yoshitsugu (13th, 1845–1849). These daimyo been remote rulers, especially the 11th, Nariharu, who had spent all his time in Edo without making a single trip to Owari, resulting in low morale amongst the Owari samurai.