Tokugawa Ieyasu (TV series)

Tokugawa Ieyasu is the title of multiple historical drama television series broadcast in Japan, primarily focusing on the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder and first shōgun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan. These series are typically taiga drama, annual historical dramas broadcast by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation).

There have been several significant Tokugawa Ieyasu television series:

• 1964 Tokugawa Ieyasu: A taiga drama broadcast by NHK starring Ogata Ken as Tokugawa Ieyasu. This was the second taiga drama ever produced.

• 1983 Tokugawa Ieyasu: A taiga drama broadcast by NHK starring Takeda Tetsuya as Tokugawa Ieyasu. This series is particularly well-regarded and is known for its depiction of the Sengoku period leading up to Ieyasu's rise to power. It adapted the novel of the same name by Sohachi Yamaoka.

• 1988 Tokugawa Ieyasu: A 12-hour television special.

• 2008 Aoi Tokugawa Sandai: While not solely focused on Ieyasu, this taiga drama covers the lives of the first three Tokugawa shōguns: Ieyasu, Hidetada, and Iemitsu. It provides significant portrayal of Ieyasu's early life and establishment of the shogunate.

These dramas typically depict Ieyasu's life from his birth and early struggles to his eventual victory at the Battle of Sekigahara and establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate, often highlighting themes of perseverance, political maneuvering, and the establishment of a long-lasting era of peace in Japan. They are known for their historical detail, elaborate costumes, and portrayal of major historical figures of the Sengoku and Edo periods. Viewing figures for these series are generally high, reflecting strong public interest in the historical figure of Tokugawa Ieyasu.