Tokugawa Hiroko

Yasuko Tokugawa (born September 24, 1867 – died March 13, 1944) was a Japanese noblewoman who served as the chairperson of the House of Peers and was the wife of Tokugawa Ietatsu. Records of her life from birth to death have been preserved.

Life

Yasuko Tokugawa was born on September 24, 1867, in the third year of Keio, as the eldest daughter of Tadao Konoe. Her mother was Mitsuko, who was adopted by Shimazu Nariakira and was the daughter of Shimazu Hisayasu. During her childhood, she was entrusted to a farmer’s family as an adoptive daughter to ensure she grew up healthy.

Marriage and Family

She was engaged to Ietatsu Tokugawa, the 16th head of the Tokugawa family, and was educated by Tennyo-in, her aunt-in-law, at the Tokugawa residence in Sendagaya. She married in 1882 (Meiji 15), and the following year, in 1883 (Meiji 16), she married into the Tokugawa family. She had a son, the eldest son Iemasa Tokugawa, and three other daughters, including Yasuko.

Social Contributions and Positions

Yasuko served as the president of the Japanese Red Cross Women's Volunteer Nursing Association from January 31, 1936, to March 13, 1944. She also served as the president of the Nadeshiko Society and as a director of the Patriotic Women's Association. After the Russo-Japanese War, she was awarded the Fourth Class of the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers.

Death and Funeral

She passed away on March 13, 1944 (Showa 19), and a memorial service was held at Kan'ei-ji Temple in Ueno on April 15 of the same year.

Children

Her children include:

- Iemasa Tokugawa

- Ayako (born April 1897, wife of Yasuhiro Matsudaira)

- Yasuko (wife of Nobuhiko Takatsukasa)

- Shigeko (born January 1904, wife of Naoie Matsudaira)

Appearance in Media

She was portrayed by Ai Hasegawa in the NHK Taiga drama "Atsuhime" (2008).

References

Materials related to her include "Gendai Kazoku Fuoyō" (Shinbi-shinorui Hensan-kai, 1929), "History of the Japanese Red Cross Society 1920–1945" (Japanese Red Cross Society, 1969), and "Japan Women’s Name Dictionary" (Haga Noboru, Ichibangase Yasuko, Shimatoma Kō, Soda Kōichi, 1993).