Matsudaira Sadanobu

Born 1758; died 1829. A statesman of feudal Japan. Prince of Shirakawa from 1783.

In 1784, Matsudaira carried out several reforms to encourage handicrafts and trade in his principality. As virtual head of Japan’s government (the Shogun government) from 1787 to 1793, he enacted limited reforms, including economic changes (the Kansei reform of 1789-93): he fought against usury, intensified the military training of the samurai, and raised taxes.