Matsudaira Toshogu shrine, which is located in Matsudaira City of Toyota Aichi Prefecture, enshrines both Tokugawa Ieyasu and Chikauji Matsudaira. According to many records, Chikauji Matsudaira is an ancestor of Ieyasu Tokugawa.

In the beginning of the 14th century, a monk named Tokuami was traveling when he arrived in the town of Matsudaira, without advance planning, and he decided to live there. From that time on, the man decided to introduce himself as Chikauji Matsudaira. He invaded several towns that were close to his house and obtained 7 villages. After that time, his family continued to expand their territory. During the era of the 7th Matsudaira, Kiyoyasu, which is counted from the first of the family, Chikauji Matsudaira ruled over all of the Mikawa Province, an old province in the area that today forms the eastern half of Aichi Prefecture.

However, someone assassinated Kiyoyasu Matsudaira and his son, Hirotada Matsudaira, so that the power of the Matsudaira family would be weakened and they would lose their territory. Hirotada’s son, the 9th generation of the Matsudaira family, was still alive. This boy, Takechiyo, now had the responsibility of revitalizing the family of Matsudaira placed upon his shoulders. This boy would later be known as Tokugawa Ieyasu.

The foundation of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who later spread peace across the country of Japan, had the historical background of the family of Matsudaira, which existed through the Warring States period.

The Matsudaira Toshogu Shrine sits on the same land where the house of the Matsudaira family used to lie. The origin of this shrine is that a kami (deity) called Hachiman, who was well respected by many samurai, was enshrined inside of this house. It was said that the Matsudaira family believed he was a guardian god to their many generations.Beyond this, there is a well called “Ubuyu” on the grounds of this shrine where the family used to purifying newborn babies. When Tokugawa Ieyasu was born, this water was also used. Nowadays, the water from this well is given to worshippers at the shrine and has been said that it is beneficial for living a long life, as well as helpful to ensure a safe delivery of a baby. After the death of Tokugawa Ieyasu in the year 1619, this shrine became one of the many that enshrined Tokugawa Ieyasu and was named the Matsudaira Toshogu Shrine. Later, in the year 1965, this shrine also enshrined Chikauji Matsudaira.