Tokugawa Masako | |
---|---|
Monarch | Go-Yōzei |
Personal details | |
Born | November 23, 1607 |
Died | August 2, 1678 | (aged 70)
Relations |
Father: Tokugawa Hidetada Mother: Oeyo |
Children |
Imperial Prince Takahito (1621-1628) Onna-Ichi-no-miya Okiko |
Tokugawa Masako (徳川 和子?, November 23, 1607 – August 2, 1678), also known as Kazu-ko, was an empress consort of Japan. She was the daughter of Tokugawa Hidetada, who was the second shogun of the Edo period of the history of Japan.
Masako's daughter, Imperial Princess Onna-Ichi-no-miya Okiko, succeeded her father. She ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne as Empress Meishō. Meishō would be succeeded by two of her father's sons by another mother. These Imperial princes would become known as Emperor Go-Kōmyō and Emperor Go-Sai. Both had been brought up by Masako as if they were her own sons.
She used her wealth to bring together Edo and Kyoto and also to help maintain the high standards of the court. She also used it to restore significant buildings that had been damaged in the previous years of warring. Many of these restorations were originally credited to her brother Iemitsu, or her husband, but have recently been properly credited to her. Another important way she used her money is as a representation of the Tokugawa clan.
She was a patron of the arts. She collected antiques as well ascontemporary art. She was also skilled at calligraphy and dabbled in poetry.