Ever wondered about the woman behind the title \u6625\u65e5\u5c40? The \u6625\u65e5\u5c40\u4e4b\u50cf Statue commemorates Kasuga no Tsubone. She was a remarkable figure from a prominent samurai family.
Kasuga no Tsubone lived during the Azuchi Momoyama and Edo periods. Born Saitō Fuku in 1579 she played many roles. She was the daughter of Saitō Toshimitsu. Her father served Akechi Mitsuhide. She was also the wet nurse of Tokugawa Iemitsu. He later became the third Tokugawa Shogun. Kasuga no Tsubone died on October 26 1643.
Kasuga no Tsubone’s life was intertwined with powerful clans. Her mother’s father was Inaba Yoshimichi. She married Inaba Masanari. They had three sons together including Inaba Masakatsu. They also had an adopted son Hotta Masatoshi.
This determined woman established the Ōoku. The Ōoku were the women’s quarters at Edo Castle. In 1629 she received the title of Kasuga no Tsubone.
Lady Kasuga played a crucial role in Iemitsu’s upbringing. The government chose her as his governess. This was a great honor. It also cleared her father’s memory. She devoted herself to the task even begging her husband for a divorce to focus on it.
Her dedication was legendary. When Iemitsu was near death she offered herself to the gods. She vowed to never take any remedy if he recovered. True to her word she refused medicine during her final illness.
Even when Iemitsu now the ruler begged her to take a draught she refused. She only moistened her lips out of politeness. She declared her work was done and she was ready to die. Her life had long been offered for her master.
Kasuga no Tsubone’s principles extended to her own family. She refused to pardon her exiled son. She reminded Iemitsu that the law was above all things. Revoking the law for her would disturb her peace.
The land where the \u6625\u65e5\u5c40\u4e4b\u50cf Statue stands has its own story. This area was uninhabited until 1630. Kasuga no Tsubone was granted the land. She had thirteen of her retainers live there. The area was also known as Kasugadono chō Lady Kasuga Town.
Today the main road in this area is Kasuga Dōri Kasuga Street. Rinshōin Temple is located at the beginning of this road. Isen founded the temple in 1624 at her request. It was first named Hōonzan Tenzeiji. The name changed to Rinshō after her death. This was her posthumous Buddhist name.
You can find a statue of her on the temple grounds. Her grave is also at this temple Tenzeizan Rinshōin. The Inaba and Hotta clans have long protected it. Her full posthumous name was Rinshōin殿仁澇了義尼大姉. Rinshō is an auspicious name in Chinese Buddhism.
Interestingly Kasuga no Tsubone’s grave has a hole in the top stone. She requested this to supervise the Shogun and Edo’s people even from Paradise. The temple also features a living fence made of karatachi trees. This led to it being called Karatachidera.
In memory of Kasuga no Tsubone there is a sushi dish called “sumoshi”. She was the wet nurse of the third shogun of Edo Iemitsu. She was a very determined woman. The dish was named in old papers of Sanbō-In temple. This was within the temple precincts.
As you stand before the \u6625\u65e5\u5c40\u4e4b\u50cf Statue remember the legacy. Lady Kasuga’s influence shaped the Edo period. She was a woman of unwavering loyalty. She was a dedicated servant and a shrewd politician. Her story continues to resonate through time.