Ohatsu

Ohatsu (お初^?) or Ohatsu-no-kata (お初の方^?) (1570 – September 30, 1633) was a prominently placed figure in the late Sengoku period. After her husband's death in 1609, Ohatsu remained active in the political intrigues of her day.

Ohatsu's close family ties to both the Toyotomi clan and the Tokugawa clan uniquely positioned her to serve as a conduit between the rivals. She acted as a liaison until 1615, when the Tokugawa eliminated the Toyotomi.

When she married her cousin Kyōgoku Takatsugu in 1587, he was a daimyō in Ōmi Province, holding Ōtsu Castle for the Toyotomi. At this point, Takatsugu was a fudai daimyō (hereditary vassal) of the Toyotomi with a stipend of 60,000 koku annually. After 1600, Takatsugu's allegiances had been transferred to the Tokugawa; and he was rewarded with the fief of Obama in Wakasa Province and an enhanced income of 92,000 koku annually.

Her husband's changing fortunes affected Ohatsu's life as well. Surviving record books from luxury goods merchants provide insight into patterns of patronage and taste.

Ohatsu was the second of Azai Nagamasa's three daughters. Her mother Oichi was the younger sister of Oda Nobunaga.

Ohatsu's elder sister was Yodo-dono, also called Chacha. She was a concubine and second wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and mother of Toyotomi Hideyori.

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