There is a saying: ‘Prevention is better than cure.’ Instead of relying on medicine after falling ill, it is far better to take care of one’s health in daily life.
Even the shoguns who resided in Edo Castle followed an extremely healthy lifestyle. After all, those who rule the land must keep their bodies in top condition. Let’s take a closer look at their healthy way of life.
A day in the life of a shogun
A shogun’s daily routine was largely the same each day. Maintaining a steady rhythm of life is key to good physical and mental health. Let’s take a glimpse into their lifestyle.
*The times mentioned are approximate.
Early bird catches the worm: the shogun’s morning starts early
6:00 AM
As soon as the shogun woke up, a close attendant known as a kosho (小姓) would announce “Mō (もう)”, signalling the start of the day. This cue set things in motion—preparations for washing the face and brushing the teeth began immediately. The shogun lived in a private space within Edo Castle called the Ooku (大奥) or Nakaoku (中奥), where all personal grooming was attended to by these close attendants.
A simple breakfast and a daily health check-up
8:00 AM
One might imagine that a shogun, residing in the grandeur of Edo Castle, would indulge in an opulent breakfast every morning. However, ‘Too much is as bad as too little.’ The shogun’s breakfast was surprisingly modest—typically consisting of rice, miso soup, grilled fish (often kisu (キス), a type of whiting), and pickles.
While eating breakfast, the shogun would have his hair styled. After finishing the meal, he underwent a daily health check-up conducted by around six physicians.
Official duties begin with the morning audience
9:00 AM
After breakfast, the shogun would proceed to the Buddhist altar in the Ooku to pay respects to the ancestral tablets of past shoguns, often accompanied by the Midaidokoro (御台所; the shogun’s wife).
Following this, he would hold the Asa no Sobure (朝の総触れ), a formal morning audience with the court ladies—a scene often depicted in period dramas. Surrounded by these women, the shogun’s day began in a rather energizing way.
Study and martial arts training
10:00 AM
After the morning audience, the shogun would engage in activities such as martial arts training and academic study. While official government duties typically began in the afternoon, there were occasions when the shogun had to attend to administrative matters in the morning as well.
Lunch and administrative work
12:00 PM
Following lunch, the shogun would engage in official duties for around two hours. His main responsibilities included reviewing and approving documents, as well as receiving reports from senior officials such as the Roju (老中; elders who served as chief advisors). On busier days, work extended into the late afternoon, but even then, the longest working hours were about five hours—a rather enviable schedule.
After two hours of work, it’s time for hobbies!
2:00 PM
If there were no pressing governmental matters, the shogun spent his afternoons enjoying hobbies such as horseback riding, Noh chanting, and calligraphy. Maintaining a well-balanced life required not only diligence but also moments of refreshment and personal fulfilment.
A bath before dinner
5:00 PM
Before dinner, the shogun would take a bath. From undressing to scrubbing, the entire bathing process was assisted by kosho and Konando (小納戸; attendants responsible for various tasks). The nukabukuro (糠袋; bran washcloths) used for scrubbing were disposable, and different cloths were prepared for each part of the body, including the face, hands, and feet.
Dinner followed by free time
6:00 PM
Dinner was slightly more elaborate than breakfast and lunch but still modest. After dinner, the shogun would either visit the Ooku*1 or relax in the Nakaoku*2, enjoying his free time as he pleased.
*2 Nakaoku (中奥) was a section within Edo Castle that served as the private chambers and administrative area for the shogun and his closest male retainers. It functioned as an intermediary space between the highly formal Omote (表, Front Palace), where official government affairs took place, and the Ōoku (大奥, Inner Chambers), where the shogun’s wives and concubines resided.
Lights out at 10 PM
10:00 PM
The shogun typically slept in the Gokyusoku-no-ma (御休息之間) within the Nakaoku.
One might assume that the shogun had the luxury of choosing a different woman from the Ooku each night on a whim, but in reality, such visits required prior arrangements.
Was the secret to the longevity of the Tokugawa era good health?
Early to bed, early to rise. Simple, modest meals. The shogun ensured that relaxation was part of the daily routine to avoid unnecessary stress. Of course, there were exceptions, but overall, their lifestyle maintained a steady rhythm. Regular medical check-ups ensured that even the slightest changes in health were noticed early. For a ruler, health was the most valuable asset of all.
These days, most of us find it difficult to go to bed by 10 PM, let alone make time for hobbies. On top of that, our diets are often high in calories and heavy on the stomach.
Could it be that the longevity of the Tokugawa shogunate was, in part, thanks to their disciplined lifestyle? Perhaps it’s worth taking a cue from the shogun and reflecting on our own daily habits.
Header image: ‘Chiyoda no On Omote (千代田之御表): shogun senge (将軍宣下)’ by Yoshu Chikanobu (楊洲周延) – sourced from the National Diet Library Digital Collection
This article is translated from https://intojapanwaraku.com/rock/culture-rock/94079/
