こんにちは

Hello, my name is 徳川 家康, or as foreigners say, Tokugawa Ieyasu. According to my native calendar, I was born in the eleventh month of Tenbun, on the 26th day of the twelfth month, which translates into January 1st, 1543. My father is the daimyo Matsudaira Hirotada and my mother, the daughter of a samurai lord. I was appointed as shogun by the emperor at the age of sixty, and was the first shogun of my family line.

During my childhood, I was actually given to a clan helping my family as a hostage, but was kidnapped on the way by the Oda clan, our rivals. I was kept in a temple for several years until another clan, led by Imagawa, took me as a hostage once again. However, though I was a hostage, I did not live a horrible life. In fact, I became an ally to Imagawa later on.

After I became of age, there was much warfare going on. My life usually consists of plans concerning military strategies and fighting in various battles. I become allies with others when I feel that it will benefit me. I switch allies often, sometimes dangerously, as there is no guarantee that my alliance will amount to anything of value for me. For instance, I re-allied with the Oda clan against the Hideyoshi clan, but later allied with the Hideyoshi clan. Different situations call for different actions that ensure the best result for me and my men. I always make sure that I try to lead my men in the best way possible. Victory is always important.

Victory is not always achieved through fighting, however. Exercising caution and knowing when to retreat are important means to victory as well. Had I not taken control of the isolated provinces that I chose to, I wouldn't have been able to achieve the level of power necessary for me to become shogun. Loyalty is also an extremely important factor. Once you're an ally of someone, you stay loyal to them for the duration of time that you are on the same side. Only then will the people you ally with trust you when you are fighting for the same cause.

Once I became shogun, I strove to establish official relations with Spain and its colonies. On the other hand, I expelled foreigners who were teaching a new religion to my people - one called Christianity, that conflicted with the beliefs of the Shinto religion that my people have worshiped for so long. These foreigners believe in an omnipotent God that will save them from hell if they are devoted enough. They have turned many Japanese heathen, which calls for actions against them.

However, trade is important to our country's economy, so avenues for trade with foreigners should be left open in order for our prosperity to grow. I have decided that ports near the south will be more suitable, and will close all the other harbors in order to ensure minimal contact with these foreigners. Their inventions are of great interest, and they can greatly advance the Japanese people. I can only hope that I have paved the way well for my followers.