56.The legal wife of Shogun

Today, I write about ” The legal wife of Shogun.”
1835, The one girl was born in Satsuma Domain.
Satsuma Domain was located at the southern end in Japan.
Her name is “Okatsu.”
She became patient and mild woman.

1850, The letter from Shogun reached Shimazu Nariakira, the Satsuma Domain Lord.
“The next shogun’s legal wife is looking for.”
He has not a girl of marriageable age.
He looked for suitable woman.
Okatsu was suitable woman.
Shimazu Nariakira wrote the letter to shogun like this.
“My daughter is most suitable for the shogun’s legal wife.”
And Okatsu become an adopted daughter of Shimazu Nariakira.
Okatsu changed name to “Atsuhime.”

It was a tradition and customary for a legal wife of shogun to be selected from daughters of Kuge (a court noble).
The next shogun, Tokugawa Iesada made daughters of Kuge the legal wife twice.
However, they died young.
Atsuhime was a legal wife of the 3rd.

1853, Perry Expedition made an attempt to open Japan’s doors.
1853, Tokugawa Iesada become Shogun.
1855, big earthquake occurred.
1856, Shogun Tokugawa Iesada married Atsuhime.
Saigo Takamori purveyed the deluxe trousseau of Atuhime.
After that, Saigo Takamori became liaison man to Atsuhime from Shimazu Nariakira.

Shogun and Atsuhime were happy together.
However,Shogun,Iesada was in poor health and had no hope to have a son.
Shogun,Iesada had to appoint the next shogun.
1858, Shogun,Iesada appointed Tokugawa Yoshitomi for the next shogun.
Tokugawa Yoshitomi become an adopted Shogun,Iesada.
Yoshitomi changed name to “Ieshige.”

2 months after, Shogun,Iesada and Shimazu Nariakira were died.
Following the demise of Iesada, Atsuhime took the tonsure, becoming a Buddhist nun, and took the name Tenshoin.
Then, Adopted son, Ieshige becomes shogun.
1866, Shogun,Ieshige was died.
Times have changed.

1868, Saigo Takamori was the generals of the new government army.
Saigo was due to attack Edo castle.
Three days before the Edo castle attack, The letter from Atsuhime reached Saigo Takamori.
The letter said that,
“I will protect the Tokugawas at the risk of my life.
I think that an adoptive father and the Shimazu Nariakira do not desire fall of the Tokugawas.
Please do not attack Edo castle.”

Saigo Takamori worshipped the Shimazu Nariakira.
He stopped the attack to Edo castle.
April 11, 1868, Edo castle surrendered without bloodshed.
September, Edo changed the name into Tokyo.
1869, Edo castle became the Imperial Palace.

Then, The Shimazu family proposed assistance to Atsuhime.
However, Atsuhime refused it.
She lived a simple life and brought up the young 16th head of a family,Iesato.
1883, Atsuhime dies at the age of 49.

2008, the teleplay “Atsuhime” was broadcast.
Atsuhime became famous for this drama.
She said like this.
“Women’s way goes on just straight.
Resisting the fate and turning back is a shame.”