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“O-ie” or “Ie”: Which was important to the samurai of the early modern period?

The fundamental societal unit in early modern Japan was known as “ie” (the “family” or“household”). Although “ie” existed among those of a variety of social statuses and classes, the focus of my research is the “ie” of daimyō (feudal lords) and kashin (vassals), i.e., the families and households of the samurai. In early modern society, the “ie” of the samurai were composed of those who took orders from the daimyō. These groups of people were referred to as “o-ie.” The “ie” of the daimyō (lord) and his kashin (vassals) were included as one part of a lord’s “o-ie” and indeed could only exist within the group known as “o-ie.” Based on this premise, paramount in the minds of the early modern samurai was the perpetuation of the “o-ie.” However, research into the early modern period has shown that the daimyō could not run their “o-ie” single-handedly while paying no attention at all to the views of their kashin. At the same time, the kashin were interested in maintaining their own “ie” as well as having an interest in the larger “o-ie.” The focus of my research is identifying how the daimyō’s and kashin’s perceptions of the relationship between the larger “o-ie” and the individual “ie” affected their behavior. Using their behaviors and statements, I will analyze the perceptions held by the people who lived in the early modern samurai society regarding the relationship between themselves and the “ie” they were born into and belonged to and the larger “o-ie” that their “ie” was a part of.

Yoshishiki Mouri Family Cemetery

Kintaikyo

Principal areas of interest

• The relationship between the management and higher authorities of the “ie” in the Sendai and Hagi Domains.
• The formation and maintenance of the head and branch families in early modern samurai society.
• The relationship between the treatment and domain administration of daimyō families.