agechi

Japanese history

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June 18, 2026

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The term "agechi" refers to a land-requisition order in Japanese history, specifically during the Tempō reforms (1841-1843) instituted by Mizuno Tadakuni. This order aimed to bring domains surrounding Edo and Ōsaka under direct control of the shogunate (bakufu) for defense and financial purposes. However, it faced strong opposition from daimyo and hatamoto, leading to its withdrawal and Tadakuni's downfall. The reforms themselves, though conservative, encouraged frugality among samurai and aimed to restore farmlands. While Tadakuni predicted the shogunate's survival for another 30 years, it was toppled in 1867, shortly before the Meiji Restoration.1

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Japan
The Tempō reforms
…also promulgated a land-requisition (agechi) order to bring daimyo and hatamoto domains surrounding Edo and Ōsaka under direct bakufu control: the stated object of this was the defense of Edo, but it also was designed to supplement the finances of the bakufu. The agechi order was finally withdrawn, however,…
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…also promulgated a land-requisition (agechi) order to bring daimyo and hatamoto domains surrounding Edo and Ōsaka under direct bakufu control: the stated object of this was the defense of Edo, but it also was designed to supplement the finances of the bakufu. The agechi order was finally withdrawn, however,…
Read More