Britannica Sources used in this answer

How did Tokugawa Ieyasu deal with Buddhist sectarian rebellions in his territory?

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Statue of Tokugawa Ieyasu in ornate robes holding a bow, with arrows on his back, at the Tosho-gu shrine in Nikko, Japan. — Tokugawa Ieyasu Statue of Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Tōshō Shrine in Nikkō, Japan.

Early in his career, Tokugawa Ieyasu dealt with Buddhist sectarian rebellions within his domain by using direct military force to crush them. During the period when he was consolidating control over the Matsudaira (later Tokugawa) territory, he directed his military efforts toward suppressing these groups to ensure the stability and security of his lands.1

This action was part of a broader effort to strengthen his authority, which also included improving his army's command structure, appointing civil administrators, and establishing formal procedures for taxation, law enforcement, and litigation. By neutralizing these internal threats, Ieyasu was able to focus on expanding his influence and building the administrative foundation that would eventually support the Tokugawa shogunate.12