The Shogun’s Routine — Decoding the Daily Life of Medieval Japan’s Rulers
What we can learn from the habits of great leaders
What would you do if you were the ruler of medieval Japan?
Often when we look back on historical figures like the Tokugawa-era shoguns, we imagine the glorious battles and the lavish lifestyles. We imagine the castles and the courtesans, the samurai and the swords.
But was that the reality of the shogun’s day to day life?
In this article I’ll take you behind the silken curtain of the shogun’s quarters, and show you what it took to maintain ultimate power in long ago Japan.
We’ll also look at the key takeaways and how you can try out the routine for yourself (without staging your own coup).
Let’s begin with the rising of the sun.
Morning
5am
Like many modern millionaire routines, the Shogun would wake up early, usually around 5 or 6am.
Personal assistants would stand in for modern smartphone alarms and wake up the Shogun, after which they would assist him in washing and dressing.
