dōshin
Sign in to saveThe Tōshin (同心, literally "same mind") were low-ranking officials of the Tokugawa shogunate in Edo period Japan. Serving under various commissioners (Bugyō), the Kyoto Shoshidai, castle wardens, Great Guard Captains, Shoinbangashira, and the Fire and Theft Investigators (Hitsuke Tōzoku Aratame), they were subordinate to Assistant Commissioners (Yoriki) and performed duties such as general administration, patrolling, and security. Their social status was that of foot soldiers (ashigaru), meaning they did not hold full samurai rank (shibun).
~5 min read
Encyclopedic overview
7 sectionsContents
- History
- Medieval Period
- Various Tōshin Roles
- Machikata Tōshin (Town Magistrates' Tōshin)
- See also
- References
- Bibliography
The Tōshin (同心, literally "same mind") were low-ranking officials of the Tokugawa shogunate in Edo period Japan. Serving under various commissioners (Bugyō), the Kyoto Shoshidai, castle wardens, Great Guard Captains, Shoinbangashira, and the Fire and Theft Investigators (Hitsuke Tōzoku Aratame), they were subordinate to Assistant Commissioners (Yoriki) and performed duties such as general administration, patrolling, and security. Their social status was that of foot soldiers (ashigaru), meaning they did not hold full samurai rank (shibun).
Additionally, many domains (han) also used the formal title Tōshin for their domainal foot soldier class.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “dōshin” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.