On June 27, 2026, the Kan’ei Culture Lecture “Nijo-jo and Kan’ei Gyoko (Imperial Visit to Nijo Castle in 1626)” was held. The event was organized by the Kan’ei Gyoko 400th Anniversary Festival Executive Committee and co-organized by Living History KYOTO.
(Venue: Grand Hall, Kyoto Prefectural Library and Archives of Kyoto Studies)
The lecture was delivered by Mr. Kazuhiko Kasaya (Professor Emeritus, International Research Center for Japanese Studies). He spoke about the intentions of the Tokugawa Shogunate in welcoming Emperor Gomizunoo to Nijo-jo, as well as the Emperor’s strategy in accepting the invitation.
The lecture provided an opportunity to explore in depth the historical background behind each aspect of the event, including why Kan’ei Gyoko was carried out and the circumstances surrounding the entry of Tokugawa Masako into the Imperial Court as a consort of Emperor Gomizunoo.
Taking into account the political circumstances leading up to the Kan’ei era, including the formation and objectives of the Tokugawa domain system, as well as the relationship with Toyotomi Hideyori at Osaka-jo, Professor Kasaya presented the historical path that led to Kan’ei Gyoko.
The lecture also touched upon the fact that Kan’ei Gyoko has not received significant attention in history textbooks and other historical accounts. Professor Kasaya noted that, by facing this historical event directly on the occasion of its 400th anniversary, a new understanding of history, different from conventional perspectives, may emerge.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Professor Kazuhiko Kasaya for joining us as a speaker, and to all those who attended the lecture.
Photo by Masaki Hashimoto