Chiyohime

2.1. Early Life and Childhood

Chiyohime was born in Edo on April 29, 1637 (the 5th day of the intercalary 3rd month of Kan'ei 14). Her biological mother was Ofuri no Kata, a concubine of Tokugawa Iemitsu, who was also known by her posthumous name Jishō'in. Ofuri no Kata was the daughter of Oka Shigemasa. After her biological mother's death in 1640, Chiyohime was adopted by another of Iemitsu's concubines, Oman no Kata (1624-1711), who later became known as Keishoin or Eikō'in.

On July 16, 1637 (old calendar), Chiyohime had her traditional Miyamairi, a visit to a shrine, and was named Chiyohime by the prominent Buddhist priest Tenkai. During her early childhood, Chiyohime experienced severe illnesses. In 1645, she contracted chickenpox, and in May 1646, she fell ill with measles. She recovered from measles in June of the same year. Her father, Iemitsu, deeply concerned for her health, enlisted the help of Mantoku-ji, a temple in Kōzuke Province he patronized. Shunchō, the temple's rector, performed rituals to heal Chiyohime. Her recovery greatly boosted the popularity of Shunchō and the other nuns among the women in the shogun's household, highlighting the profound personal involvement of Iemitsu in his daughter's well-being.

2.2. Marriage

Chiyohime's marriage was a significant political and social event. On February 20, 1638 (Kan'ei 15), she was formally engaged to Tokugawa Mitsutomo, the second daimyo of the Owari Domain. She ceremonially entered his Ichigaya residence in Owari Domain on September 21, 1639 (Kan'ei 16). At the time of this ceremonial entry, she was two years and six months old, while Mitsutomo was fourteen. An alternative account states that the engagement occurred on September 21, 1639, with her formal marriage (輿入れ) taking place in 1645, and the official wedding ceremony on December 29, 1647 (Shōhō 4). Regardless of the specific dates, her marriage solidified an important connection between the main Tokugawa house and one of its most significant cadet branches, the Owari Tokugawa family. Preparations for her elaborate bridal trousseau, the Hatsune no Chōdo, began well in advance, showcasing the immense resources and artistic skill dedicated to this union.

2.3. Later Life

In her adult life, Chiyohime bore several children. Her first son, Tokugawa Tsunanari, who later became the daimyo of the Owari Domain, was born on August 2, 1652 (Jōō 1). She also had a daughter, Toyohime, born on May 19, 1655 (Meireki 1), who passed away early. Her second son, Matsudaira Yoshiyuki, who later became the daimyo of the Takasu Domain, was born on November 9, 1656 (Meireki 2). Her second daughter, Naohime, born on June 1, 1658 (Manji 1), also died young. In addition to her biological children, Chiyohime adopted two of Mitsutomo's sons born to concubines: Matsudaira Yoshimasa, who became the daimyo of the Yanagawa Domain in Mutsu Province, and Matsudaira Tomoakira, who became the head of the Kawatakubo Matsudaira family.

Upon her father Iemitsu's death in 1651, Chiyohime received a significant inheritance, including 20,000 ryo and a valuable tea caddy, indicating her favored status as Iemitsu's eldest daughter. A testament to her filial devotion, in 1652, she commissioned the construction of the Jishō'in Mausoleum for her late biological mother, Ofuri no Kata. This mausoleum is now preserved at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

2.4. Death

Chiyohime passed away on January 10, 1699 (the 10th day of the 12th month of Genroku 11) at her Ichigaya residence in Edo. She was 62 years old at the time of her death. Her remains were interred at Zōjō-ji, a prominent Buddhist temple in Edo. She was posthumously given the Dharma name Reisen'in Chōyo Jikō Shōgetsu Daishi.

3.1. Immediate Family

Chiyohime's immediate family played pivotal roles within the Tokugawa shogunate and its cadet branches:

• Father:** Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Shogun.
• Biological Mother:** Ofuri no Kata (died 1640), also known as Jishō'in.
• Adopted Mother:** Oman no Kata (1624-1711), later known as Keishoin or Eikō'in.
• Husband:** Tokugawa Mitsutomo, the second daimyo of the Owari Domain.
• Children:**
  • Tokugawa Tsunanari (1652-1699)
  • Toyohime (born 1655, died early)
  • Matsudaira Yoshiyuki (1656-1715)
  • Naohime (1658-1661, died early)
• Adopted Sons:**
  • Matsudaira Yoshimasa (Daimyo of Yanagawa Domain)
  • Matsudaira Tomoakira (Head of Kawadakubo Matsudaira family)

3.2. Lineage and Historical Significance

Chiyohime's bloodline holds a unique and crucial place in Japanese history as the only surviving direct lineage of Tokugawa Iemitsu. While her three paternal half-brothers-the fourth Shogun Tokugawa Ietsuna, Tokugawa Tsunashige (Lord of Kōfu Domain), and the fifth Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi-all had their direct lines become extinct, Chiyohime's female line persisted and flourished.

Through her descendants, Chiyohime's lineage extended to numerous prominent families, including various daimyo houses and kuge (court noble) families. Notably, her bloodline connects directly to the Japanese Imperial family, with the current Emperor Naruhito being a descendant through this line. The full lineage tracing this connection is: Chiyohime - Tokugawa Tsunanari - Tokugawa Yoshimichi - Michihime (三千君_Michihime^Japanese, daughter of Yoshimichi) - Nijō Munemoto - Nijō Harutaka - Kujō Naotada - Kujō Michitaka - Empress Teimei (Sadako, Empress Consort of Emperor Taisho) - Emperor Shōwa - Emperor Emeritus Akihito - Emperor Naruhito. This lineage highlights the enduring influence of the Tokugawa shogunate's bloodlines on the Japanese aristocracy and even the Imperial household.

Interestingly, Chiyohime's ancestry also connects to figures from the pivotal Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Her great-grandfather was Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate and the commander of the Eastern Army, while Ishida Mitsunari, a central figure of the Western Army, was her great-great-grandfather. This intricate lineage underscores the complex intertwining of prominent historical families within Chiyohime's heritage.

4.1. Bridal Trousseau (Hatsune no Chōdo)

The collection of Chiyohime's wedding trousseau, known as the Hatsune no Chōdo (初音の調度_{Hatsune no Chōdo}^Japanese, meaning "First Song Trousseau"), is a remarkable example of artistic achievement from the early Edo period. This collection, along with other related items and documents, was designated a National Treasure in 1996. It is highly valued for its exquisite artistic merit and its historical significance.

The creation of the Hatsune no Chōdo involved master artisans patronized by the shogunate. The primary craftsman was Koami Nagashige of the Koami school of Maki-e (lacquerware decorated with powdered gold or silver). Commissioned in 1637, the year of Chiyohime's birth, the creation of this elaborate trousseau took over two years, showcasing the immense dedication and skill invested in its production. While there was a theory that the influential artist Iwasa Matabei was summoned by Iemitsu to design the trousseau, this notion has since been questioned by scholars.

Today, the surviving remnants of the Hatsune no Chōdo are meticulously preserved and exhibited at the Tokugawa Art Museum in Nagoya, allowing the public to witness the grandeur and artistic sophistication of a Tokugawa princess's bridal possessions.