Yoshiko Hosokawa

Yoshiko Hosokawa (June 23, 1918 – August 10, 1940) was a Japanese noblewoman. Her maiden name was Konoe. She was popularly known as Onchi or Onchan, and was also nicknamed Buta-kō ("Pig").

She was born in Tokyo. Her father was Fumimaro Konoe, and her mother was Chiyoko. Her maternal grandfather was Takamune Mōri.

Regarding her education, she graduated from Joshi Gakushuin Girls’ School in March 1936.

In April 1937, she married Mori Tadashi, a fellow graduate student at Kyoto Imperial University, through the matchmaking of the Kido Kōichi couple. There are reports that at the time of their marriage, a photo of Fumimaro Konoe disguised as Hitler during a costume party at Nanzen-ji was circulated among the public, causing a stir. Kido Kōichi reportedly remarked about this situation, "This has become quite dull."

Yoshiko contracted tuberculosis and passed away at the young age of 21. Her battle with illness lasted a little over a year, and she left behind two children before her early death. Her husband, Mori Tadashi, recalled, "He was a cheerful and modern person, so his sudden death from tuberculosis was very shocking. Our marriage lasted only about four years." Her grave is located at the Tenzu-an of Nanzen-ji.

After Yoshiko's death, Tadashi married Kuroda Akihiro’s eldest daughter, Kaoruko (1925–2006), from the Matsui family, the senior retainers of the former Kumamoto Domain. With Kaoruko, he had a daughter, Chieko, who later became the wife of Sen Sōsha, the 14th head of the Omotesenke school of tea ceremony.

Regarding her family, her eldest son was Hosaki, who served as Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, leader of the Japan New Party, and the 79th Prime Minister of Japan. Her second son, Hosuki, was adopted by the Konoe family and changed his name to Tadayuki Konoe. He served as president of the Japanese Red Cross Society and in 2009 (Heisei 21), was appointed President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.