May 23, 2024
The Sengoku period in Japan, also known as the "Age of Warring States" (1467–1615), was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and near-constant military conflict. While samurai and warlords dominated the battlefield, there was another group that played a vital yet often overlooked role: the merchants. Among these, the Chaya family stands out as an exemplary case of how business and politics intertwined during this turbulent time.
The Chaya family traces its roots to the prestigious samurai lineage of the Ogasawara clan, descendants of Emperor Seiwa. Their family name was originally "Nakajima," adopted after they were granted land in Nakajima District of Yamashiro Province during the late Muromachi period. Over time, they transitioned from samurai warriors to merchants, and it was Chaya Sōen (宗延) who initiated this shift. Sōen’s son, Chaya Myōen (明延), became a renowned tea master, rubbing shoulders with some of the most powerful figures of the time, including the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru. It was through these tea ceremonies that the Chaya family started building connections and influence within the ruling elite.
The real transformation of the Chaya family came with Chaya Kiyoyasu (清延), the first "Chaya" in the family’s history to be involved in large-scale commerce. Kiyoyasu became closely affiliated with Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of the most significant figures in Japanese history and the eventual unifier of Japan. Serving Ieyasu from a young age, Kiyoyasu was not only a merchant but also a skilled samurai. His loyalty and service to Ieyasu in both military campaigns and commerce played a key role in his family's rise to prominence.
Perhaps Kiyoyasu's most significant contribution was during the infamous "Iga Crossing" (伊賀越え) of 1582. Following the death of Oda Nobunaga, Ieyasu found himself stranded in Sakai with only a small group of retainers. It was Kiyoyasu who alerted Ieyasu to Nobunaga's demise and guided him through the perilous Iga mountains, negotiating with local bandits and ronin to ensure the safe passage of Ieyasu and his entourage. Without Kiyoyasu's assistance, it is possible that Ieyasu would have perished, and the course of Japanese history would have changed dramatically.
In these perilous times, the Chaya family’s status as samurai merchants was evident, as they balanced commercial ventures with the traditional warrior code. On many occasions, Kiyoyasu donned his samurai armour not only to protect his trade routes but also to serve directly in battles alongside Ieyasu. This dual identity as both a warrior and businessman allowed the Chaya family to navigate the dangerous political landscape of the Sengoku period with remarkable success.
During the later stages of the Sengoku period and into the early Edo period, the Chaya family continued to play an essential role, not only in commerce but in politics. They acted as mediators between Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, two of Japan’s most powerful warlords. In addition, they gathered and reported vital intelligence from the Kyoto area to Ieyasu, helping him make informed decisions during the unification process.
Kiyoyasu's son, Chaya Shirōjirō Kiyotada (清忠), continued his father's legacy by expanding the family’s commercial interests. During the Edo period, the Chaya family was granted the privilege of conducting international trade through the shogunate's "Goshuin" system, which allowed for official trade with foreign nations. Their dealings with Annam (Vietnam) and other countries further solidified their wealth and status. The Chaya family even commissioned detailed painted scrolls that depicted their overseas trading expeditions, which are now considered important cultural artefacts.
The family diversified their activities, controlling much of Kyoto’s local economy and maintaining a strong presence in Edo. They were involved in everything from textiles and silks to land reclamation projects. For example, in Nagoya, they undertook large-scale land reclamation to develop new agricultural fields, leaving a lasting mark on the region’s landscape.
Despite their success, the Chaya family's fortunes were deeply tied to the Tokugawa shogunate. Their status as official merchants and close ties to the ruling family meant that when the shogunate began to decline in the mid-19th century, so did the Chaya. Unlike other powerful merchant families like the Mitsui or Sumitomo, who adapted to the new political climate of the Meiji Restoration, the Chaya could not pivot as effectively. Their reliance on the Tokugawa patronage left them vulnerable in the new, more competitive market-driven economy of the Meiji era.
While the Chaya family once controlled vast estates and wealth, their assets were gradually sold off, and their once-glorious reputation faded into history. By the end of the Edo period, the Chaya family had all but vanished, a relic of Japan’s feudal past.
The Chaya family’s story offers a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of being a merchant during Japan’s Sengoku and Edo periods. They were not just businessmen but also warriors, tea masters, and political intermediaries. Their rise to prominence was based on their ability to navigate the intricate social and political networks of the time, leveraging both their samurai roots and their business acumen. The image of Chaya Kiyoyasu in samurai armour, working to protect both his master and his family’s commercial interests, exemplifies the unique dual roles they played in society.
However, their decline serves as a reminder of the risks of being too reliant on political patronage in a rapidly changing world. The legacy of the Chaya family, though largely forgotten, lives on in historical artefacts and places across Japan, like "Chaya Shinden" in Nagoya, that still bear their name.
