Sakai Tadakiyo

Following the catastrophic Great Fire of Meireki that destroyed much of Edo, Tadakiyo oversaw reconstruction efforts including urban planning reforms. The fire led to the redesign of Edo with wider streets and firebreaks, shaping the city's modern layout.

Sakai Tadakiyo was appointed as tairo (great elder), the highest advisory position in the Tokugawa shogunate under Shogun Tokugawa Ietsuna. This made him the de facto ruler of Japan during Ietsuna's minority and weak rule.

As tairo, Tadakiyo centralized power in his own hands, controlling appointments, foreign policy, and domestic affairs. He sidelined other senior councilors and ruled through a network of loyal officials, maintaining stability but concentrating authority.

Upon Shogun Ietsuna's death, Tadakiyo attempted to install a candidate from the imperial family as the next shogun but was outmaneuvered by rivals who supported Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. He was forced to retire, ending his dominance.