▕ Countering the Guardians

Transcription of a letter written by Okuyama Tsunetoki before Tsunamune resigned. Tsunetoki explains the background of the increase of Munekatsu's property to the government's provincial inspector in charge at that time. At the end of the letter, Tsunetoki praises Munekatsu, saying that among the Daté family, "no one else is better qualified for this position than Hyobusama." Tsunetoki even expresses his regret that the more effort Munekatsu makes for Tsunamune, the more notoriety he gets. This item is interesting in that it shows how Tsunetoki assessed Munekatsu at this point.

It was in May 1662 (Kambun 2) that the Rokkajo Problem surfaced. In  June, Tsunetoki left for Edo, promising to resolve the problem before the spirits of Masamune and Tadamune. On October 15, during his stay in Edo, Tsunetoki was allowed to see the shogun(*3) Tokugawa Ietsuna. He visited the shogun with the house elders of the Owari domain and the Kaga domain, and presented the shogun with a sword and a horse allowance. This shows how Tsunetoki gained a power that had no equal in the domain.

[Note]

*3 shogun: The head of the government.

The first climax of the Rokkajo Problem came in November 1662 (Kambun 2). While staying in Edo, Tsunetoki addressed Sakai Tadakiyo, the senior councilor of the government, through his relative Tachibana Tadashige. On November 12, Tsunetoki appeared with Tamura Muneyoshi at the residence of Sakai Tadakiyo and received instructions that the six articles (Rokkajo) should remain as before. Tsunetoki proposed to Muneyoshi that they should exchange a document about Tadakiyo's instructions given on  November 12. This is a transcription of the document by Tsunetoki summarizing what Tadakiyo instructed.

Transcription of a document written from Muneyoshi to Tsunetoki. Compared to the earlier document written by Tsunetoki, Muneyoshi changed the term "giant hawk" to "young hawk" and  added some phrases at the end such as "as documentary evidence written during my travel."  According to Tsunetoki's recollection, Muneyoshi hesitated considerably in composing this document and once refused, but later changed his mind to write it. In fact, this part of the document states that Muneyoshi wrote it as such because Tsunetoki said it was a testimonial to be shown to Munekatsu.

The Rokkajo Problem did not show significant changes until the following year 1663 (Kambun 3). After March of that year, Munakatsu visited Edo and the two guardians had a meeting to make a proposal for the solution. Some revisions were made to the original proposal submitted in November 1662. One is deleting the phrase "at the will of Kamechiyo-sama" from article 2. Another change was made to article 5. It stated that inhabitants of other domains should be returned as instructed by Kamechiyo-sama, but was changed to "as consulted from time to time." 

The proposal by the guardians in Edo was immediately communicated to Tsunetoki, the magistrate in Sendai. After reading it, Tsunetoki pointed out problems: one was that the "arrangement" in the introduction was inappropriate, and another was that article 5 and the ending of the document should be reverted to the previous proposal. Tsunetoki urged the guardians to comply with the proposal submitted in November,  which was ordered by Tadakiyo.

The Rokkajo Problem remained to be resolved until June 1663 after Tachibana Tadashige mediated the issue based on Sakai Tadakiyo's will. On the final settlement, Munekatsu and Muneyoshi sent this document to the magistrate in Sendai. They pledged compliance with the six articles (Rokkajo) and ordered the withdrawal of the proposal submitted in March. In this way, the Rokkajo Problem, which had lasted for a year, was finally resolved.

Tsunetoki confronted fiercely with the guardians over the Rokkajo Problem. At the same time, criticism of his political stance arose within the domain. Facing the extremely difficult administration of the domain, Tsunetoki submitted his resignation as magistrate because of mental and physical exhaustion. In response, other magistrates Shibata Tomomoto and Oeda Muneyoshi wrote this document. It states that Tsunetoki, who wished to remain involved in the administration of the domain even after his resignation, should be dismissed from all official positions for recuperation, saying "Take good care of yourself."