Hosokawa Kaneko

Hoshokawa Kaneko (born Ikeda Kaneko on January 22, 1889 – October 27, 1972) was a woman belonging to the Japanese kazoku aristocratic class. Her maiden family name was Ikeda, and she was the eldest daughter of the 13th head of the old Ikeda family of Okayama Domain, Ikeda Sankemasa. Her mother was the third daughter of the 12th daimyo of Satsuma Domain, Shimazu Tadeyoshi; her mother's name was Michiko, born in 1873 and died in 1958.

While detailed records of her life are scarce, she later married Moritatsu Hosokawa, the head of the Higo Hosokawa family. Through marriage, she became part of the Hosokawa family and is believed to have been active in political and cultural fields, accompanying her husband's duties. Moritatsu Hosokawa also served as a secretary to the Prime Minister, engaging in political activities.

Hoshokawa Kaneko was also known to love art and, influenced by her father, had an interest in the arts. Her husband, Hosokawa Moritaka, also had a deep appreciation for fine arts and was involved in cultural pursuits.

Regarding her family, she had multiple children with her husband, Moritatsu Hosokawa. Among her grandchildren is Hosokawa Morihiro, who served as Prime Minister. She also had relations with the Kōkoku family through Tadaoki Kiyoi and was connected by marriage to the 14th tea master of the Urasenke School, Sen Sōsa's wife, Akiko.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Hoshokawa Kaneko, as a woman from a distinguished noble family, is believed to have participated in cultural and social activities, although detailed records of these activities are limited.

Her life reflected the changes in Japan's feudal system from the Meiji to the Showa era, living as a member of the aristocracy while witnessing the profound societal transformations of her time.