Hosokawa Tatsuyuki

Tatsu-yuki Hosokawa (born May 14, 1784 – June 18, 1818) was the 7th lord of the Higo-Uto Domain. Born in the 4th year of Tenmei (1784), he became the lord of Uto Domain at the age of 4 in the 7th year of Tenmei (1787), following his father, Tadayoshi Hosokawa (later Hosokawa Saiji), inheriting the family headship of the Kumamoto Domain. His mother was Yachihime, daughter of Takayasu Iwagi, and Egan-in.

Overview of his life: Tatsu-yuki spent his childhood under his father Saiji’s administration. On October 1, of the 11th year of Kansaian (1799), he was granted an audience with Shogun Tokugawa Ienari. On December 18 of the same year, he was awarded the court ranks of Lower Fifth Rank, and Izumi-no-kami. In domain administration, contrary to his father’s austerity fiscal policies, he promoted new rice field development, adoption of the Kenmin-hō method, and fiscal austerity measures, achieving success.

Tatsu-yuki died on June 18, 1818, prior to his father. He was 35 years old. After his death, his eldest son, Tadamasa (later Hosokawa Saihō), succeeded him as domain lord. Additionally, his brother, Naoaki, was succeeded by his second son, Kōbun Hosokawa (later Hosokawa Sainen), indicating that the succession involved that of his younger son.

Regarding marriage, he was married to Eimatsu-in, daughter of Toshitaka Doi, as his principal wife. His children included his eldest son Tadamasa, his second son Kōbun, and a daughter. Specifically, his eldest son’s mother was Eimatsu-in, and he also had another daughter named Koto, with Watanabe Kiyotsuna’s wife, Jun.

In his genealogy, he was the son of Tadayoshi Hosokawa (Saiji) and Yachihime / Egan-in, and his wife Eimatsu-in. His life and achievements played an important role in the progress of the domain administration and succession of family leadership.