Iemochi Goes to Kyoto to Meet the Imperial Court

Tokugawa Iemochi traveled to Kyoto in 1863 amid disagreement with Emperor Kōmei over foreign relations. It was the first shogunal visit since Iemitsu’s journey in 1634. The visit placed the shogun in the capital where courtiers and domain representatives were increasingly directing debate over expulsion.

Iemochi accompanied Kōmei’s procession to the Kamo shrines. He was absent, with illness given as the reason, from the emperor’s later procession to Iwashimizu Hachiman. He subsequently made his own visit there. A surviving shrine record details reception, route guards, rest stops and offerings for that separate journey.

These distinctions matter because imperial attendance, shogunal ceremony and acceptance of an expulsion policy were different acts. The visit did not produce a durable agreement on the treaties. Iemochi returned to Kyoto again in 1864 and 1865, and publishers issued prints of the processions. His repeated travel shows how negotiation with the court had become a continuing part of shogunal government.