Wakadoshiyori

The Wakadoshiyori (若年寄), or "Junior Elders", were high government officials in the Edo period Japan under the Tokugawa shogunate (1603-1867). The position was established around 1633, but appointments were irregular until 1662. The four to six wakadoshiyori were subordinates to the rōjū in status, but they ranked above the jisha-bugyō. The served for a month at a time on a rotating basis and were selected from the ranks of the fudai daimyō. There were periods when the number of wakadoshiyori rose to 6 or 7 at one time.^[1]

The wakadoshiyori were tasked with supervising the direct vassals of the shōgun, namely the hatamoto and gokenin using reports provided by the metsuke. They also oversaw the activities of artisans and physicians, organised and supervised public works projects and were in change of the shōgun's personal guards. In the event of war, the wakadoshiyori were theoretically to lead the hatamoto in battle.^[2]