Shōjuin

Shōjūin (born April 14, 1797 – October 9, 1865) was a woman from the late Edo period (Bakumatsu period). She was the primary wife of the Tanegashima Domain lord, Tanegashima Hisamichi. Her father was the Satsuma Domain lord, Shimazu Nariharu, and her mother was a concubine (the daughter of Shimazu Nakae). She had an elder sister, Shimazu Naokata, and a younger brother, Shimazu Tadakusa. Her sisters included Suihime (wife of the Sato domain lord Shimazu Tadatoyo) and Ikuhime (wife of the Konoe family, Lord Tadayuki). Her real name is believed to have been "Rin-hime" or "Okiwaki," and she was also known by the title "Okimi-sama." After her husband's death, she took Buddhist vows and was titled Shōjūin.

Her life began on March 18, 1797, when she was born as the second daughter of Shimazu Nariharu. Her given name was Ochi (or Ochika). Soon after her birth, a marriage arrangement was made with the Tanegashima family, and on June 6th of the same year, she became the primary wife of Tanegashima Hisamichi. Although she entered her husband's household shortly after her birth, she did not relocate to Tanegashima but was raised at the Tanegashima family residence in Kagoshima. Her first four children died young, but she eventually bore more children. She traveled to Tanegashima for the first time while pregnant.

In Eisen 1 (1818), her brother, Shimazu Naokata, disregarding opposition from the senior retainers of the Tanegashima family, tried to adopt his son Tadayoshi as heir, pressuring Tanegashima Hisamichi and Rin-hime. However, he unexpectedly revoked this adoption in the same year. Her husband Tanegashima Hisamichi died in Bunsei 12 (1829). After his death, Rin-hime and Hisamichi had no designated heir, which put the Tanegashima family itself at risk of extinction.

She swiftly petitioned her family, the Shimazu clan, to find a suitable successor, and under their guidance, she took over the leadership of Tanegashima, inheriting Hisamichi’s name and estate. For fifteen years after Hisamichi’s death, Rin-hime governed Tanegashima as the domain's ruler. In Temperance 13 (1842), she adopted Kōshin (the twelfth son of Shimazu Narioki) as her heir, but Kōshin died in Kaei 5 (1852). His son, Hisataka, was still a child, so once again, Shōjūin served as regent and managed Tanegashima on his behalf.

Shōjūin oversaw many public works and initiatives, including the renovation of Owara River, saltfield development, and seawall construction at Nishinoomote Port, known as her "Three Major Projects." She also maintained and improved the family tombs, commemorated those who served and died in the Keicho campaigns and within the domain, and supported the construction of learning institutions and the distribution of educational materials to promote local well-being. The saltpans she established continued operations until after World War II, bringing substantial benefits to Tanegashima. Additionally, she built a shrine honoring the achievements of Tanegashima Hisaki, who promoted sweet potato cultivation.

Her standing within Kagoshima Castle (Tsurumaru Castle) was high. In 1851 (Kaei 4), when Shimazu Nariakira became clan leader, she was among the first to be received in audience. She also served as a steward when Tsuji-in (Atsuhime) entered the shogunate as a bride.

She died on August 20, 1865 (Keiō 1) in Tanegashima at age 69. Her grave is located at Hongengen-ji, the family’s memorial temple.

Her children included: her eldest daughter, Kaka-sama (born September 15, 1816 – June 13, 1828), her second daughter, Iwajime (born February 12, 1819 – February 9, 1828), her eldest son, Tetsuguma (born April 6, 1820 – August 18, 1820), her second son, Chiyoshi (born November 6, 1827 – August 25, 1828), her third daughter, Kumi (born December 20, 1829), and her fourth daughter, Fumi (born September 22, 1832).