Miwa Iwasaki

Miwa Iwasaki (born July 20, Bunsei 11, 1814 / September 3, 1814 – March 14, 1900), was a woman active during the late Edo period and the early Meiji era. She was the wife of Yajiro Iwasaki, a rōnin (masterless samurai) of Tosa Domain, and her descendants include Yataro Iwasaki, the founder of Mitsubishi zaibatsu, and Yasunosuke Iwasaki, the second head of the zaibatsu.

Birth and Family Background

Miwa Iwasaki was born in Tosa Province as the second daughter of Dr. Kei Zō Ono. Details about her mother are unknown. Her older sister married Nyo Ura Okamoto.

Career and Life

When her father died in 1827 (Bunsei 10), Miwa served under Matsuo Goto Masatake, a samurai of Tosa Domain. In 1831 (Tenpō 2), she married Yajiro Iwasaki, and they had three sons and two daughters together.

Events of 1855 (Ansei 2)

That year, Yajiro’s temperament was considered unfavorable for alcohol consumption, and he temporarily fell ill due to a dispute with the village headman, Shimada Binemon. As a result of this incident, their eldest son, Yataro Iwasaki, filed a petition with the authorities and was imprisoned. The Iwasaki family faced financial difficulties, and Miwa took on the responsibility of managing the household finances. Through her efforts, she overcame the poverty of the time and supported her family through diligent work.

After the Meiji Restoration

With the prosperity of the Iwasaki family in the Meiji era, Miwa supported the household as a key figure in domestic management. Her family tree includes detailed records of her descendants and relatives.

Death and Burial Site

Miwa Iwasaki was buried at Kanke-in in Aki City, Kochi Prefecture.

Relatives

Her relatives include the industrialist Ryohei Toyokawa, whose father, Atsuji Ono, was her brother. Her children include:

- Eldest son: Yataro Iwasaki (founder of Japan Mail Shipping and Mitsubishi zaibatsu)

- Second son: Yasunosuke Iwasaki (second leader of Mitsubishi)

- Eldest daughter: Haru Iwasaki (wife of Takaki Kame)

- Second daughter: Saki Iwasaki

In the grandson generation, notable figures include:

- Hisaya Iwasaki (third president of Mitsubishi)

- Hidenori Iwasaki (vice president of Mitsubishi Kōsai Kaisha)

- Toyoya Iwasaki

- Masako Hebara

and further descendants, including great-grandchildren and beyond, are recorded.

Family Tree

Keizo Ono – doctor, father of Miwa.

Mother – unknown

Junichi Ono – eldest son

Toki Ono – eldest daughter. Married to Nyo Ura Okamoto, a Confucian scholar.

Miwa Iwasaki – second daughter, married to Yajiro Iwasaki.

Yajiro’s father was Yosaburo Iwasaki, a rōnin of Tosa Domain.

Children of Yajiro and Miwa include Yataro, Yasunosuke, Haru, and Masako.

Many of their descendants have left a significant mark in Japanese history, especially as pillars of the Mitsubishi zaibatsu.

Note: While detailed genealogical and kinship records exist, only the main individuals and lineages are listed here to avoid an overly lengthy account.