Atsuhime (TV series)
Atsuhime (篤姫), literally Princess Atsu, is the 47th NHK Taiga drama. It began on January 6 2008 and will air throughout 2008 with an estimated total of 50 episodes. The story chronicles the life of Tenshōin, based on Tomiko Miyao's 1984 novel Tenshō-in Atsuhime (天璋院篤姫).
Background
Based on Tomiko Miyao's novel Tenshō-in Atsuhime. The protagonist is Tenshō-in (Princess Atsu), the wife of Tokugawa Iesada, the thirteenth shōgun of the Edo shogunate. It is the seventh Taiga drama to feature a female lead just two years since the previous 2006 Kōmyō ga Tsuji.
Following the 2005 Yoshitsune, this is Miyao's second work to be turned into a Taiga drama. Following the 2004 Shinsengumi!, it is also the second Taiga drama taking place at the end of the Edo shogunate.
The character of Tenshō-in was previously taken up in the 2003 Fuji Television series Ōoku (staring Kanno Miho).
The lead role is performed by Aoi Miyazaki, for which it is her first Taiga drama lead. She is also the youngest to play the lead role. In May, 2008 she won a Galaxy Award for her work in this role.[1]
The first half of the story predominantly takes place in Kagoshima prefecture, and as such many of the actors and music coordinators are from Kagoshima.
Staff
- Original: Tomiko Miyao (Tenshō-in Atsuhime, Kōdansha, 1984)
- The author of the original story, Tomiko Miyao, was born in Kōchi. She received the New Female Writer Award (女流新人賞) in 1962 with her work “Ren”. In 1973, she received the Dazai Osamu Award with “Kai”. In 1979, her work “Ichigen no koto” won the renowned Naoki Prize. The novel “Tenshōin Atsuhime” depicts the life of Atsuhime, who had been lost in the flow of history, and was discovered through Miyao's own research. The work “Tenshōin Atsuhime” is considered to be monumental among her works. This is the second time for NHK to create a Taiga Drama series after Yoshitsune in 2005.[2]
- Script: Kumiko Tabuchi
- Kumiko Tabuchi was born in Shimane Prefecture. She has produced scripts for “Sakura,” “Tsuma no Sotsugyōshiki,” and “Diamond no Koi,” among others. She is known for vividly illustrating women who positively face their lives. She offers scripts in a wide range of areas such as movies, musicals, rakugo, play, and kyōgen. This is her first script for Taiga drama.[3]
- Music: Ryō Yoshimata
- In the process of creating the music for this drama, Yoshimata went back after 30 years to his hometown Kagoshima and stayed there for three weeks. While meeting his old friends and watching Sakurajima, he was touched by the warmness, toughness, and generosity of the homeland. His deep feelings for his homeland became the basis of the 47 songs created for this drama.[4]
- Titling: Kinko Kikuchi
- Historical research: Manabu Ōishi
- Narrator: Tomoko Naraoka
- Production coordinator: Motohiko Sano
- Casting: Mineyo Satō
Cast
- Okatsu → Atsuhime → Tenshō-in: Honoka Nagai → Chinami Iwamoto → Aoi Miyazaki
Shimazu Clan
- Hideki Takahashi as Shimazu Nariakira
- Yūichirō Yamaguchi as Shimazu Tadayuki/ Shimazu Hisamitsu
- Hiroyuki Nagato as Shimazu Narioki
- Mayo Suzukaze as Oyura (Narioki's concubine, mother of Hisamitsu)
Imaizumi Shimazu Family
- Kyōzō Nagatsuka as Shimazu Tadatake
- Kanako Higuchi as Oyuki
- Yoshinori Okada as Shimazu Tadayuki
Shogun’s Clan
- Masato Sakai as Tokugawa Iesachi/ Tokugawa Iesada
- Shōta Matsuda as Tokugawa Yoshitomi/ Tokugawa Iemochi
- Takehiro Hira as Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu/ Tokugawa Yoshinobu
- Shigeru Saiki as Tokugawa Ieyoshi
Daimyos
- Tōru Emori as Tokugawa Nariaki
- Kenichi Yajima as Matsudaira Yoshinaga
Elite Members of Shimazu Clan
- Eita as Kimotsuki Naogorō / Komatsu Tatewaki
- Mikijirō Hira as Zusho Hirosato
- Ikki Sawamura as Komatsu Kiyomichi
- Rie Tomosaka as Ochika
Low Members of Shimazu Clan
- Yukiyoshi Ozawa as Saigō Kichinosuke / Saigō Takamori
- Taizo Harada as Ōkubo Shōsuke / Ōkubo Toshimichi
Ōoku
- Keiko Matsuzaka as Ikushima
- Izumi Inamori as Takiyama
- Atsuko Takahata as Honjuin
- Maki Horikita as Princess Kazu
Shogun's Advisors
- Masao Kusakari as Abe Masahiro
- Takurō Tatsumi as Hotta Masayoshi
- Baijaku Nakamura as Ii Naosuke
- Akira Shirai as Andō Nobumasa
- Kazuyuki Matsuzawa as Matsudaira Tadakata
- Seishirō Nishida as Itakura Katsukiyo
- Tōgo Shimura as Matsudaira Katamori
Shogunate retainers
- Kinya Kitaōji as Katsu Kaishū
- Ryō Katsuji as John Manjiro
Others
- Hiroshi Tamaki as Sakamoto Ryōma
- Jumpei Suzuki as Katsura Kogorō
- Natsuki Harada as Okoto
Imperial Family
- Hideki Tōgi as Emperor Kōmei
- Terunosuke Takezai as Prince Arisugawa Taruhito
- Maki Horikita as Kazunomiya Chikako
- Mayumi Wakamura as Kangyōin
Kugyōs
- Shumpūtei Koasa as Konoe Tadahiro
- Tsurutarō Kataoka as Iwakura Tomomi
Plot
The episodes largely fall into two parts. The first half of the series revolves around Atsuhime's life in Satsuma. The latter half mainly proceeds with the politics around the Tokugawa Shogunate after she moved to Edo to marry Tokugawa Iesada.
Episode 1: Child of Destiny (1/6/2008)
The episode starts off in Satsuma in 1835, 20 years prior to the arrival of the Black Ships led by Mathew C. Perry. People in Satsuma are excited by the arrival of the heir to the domain, Shimazu Nariakira, from Edo. Meanwhile, a long-awaited daughter was born in one of the cadet families of Shmazu clan, Imaizumi Shimazu family. The father of the girl, Shimazu Tadatake, and the mother, Oyuki, name her “Katsu” wishing the child’s happiness. Okatsu grew up as a tomboy, much stronger than her brothers, yet full of curiosity and warm-hearted.
Before long, Satsuma domain picks up its efforts at strict financial reform under the guidance of Karō Zusho Hirosato. Saigo Kichinosuke (Saigo Takamori), witnessing the farmers’ harsh life, appeals to Tadatake. Hirosato receivs this news and punished Tadatake for allowing farmers to express their dissent, for it suggests the lenient treatment of farmers on Tadatake’s part. Okatsu, unable to comprehend Hirosato’s action of punishing those who support farmers, recklessly decides to charge over to Hirosato’s house with her close friend Kimotsuke Naogorō (Komatsu Tatewaki) to demand the reason.[5]
Episode 2: Vow at Sakurajima (1/13/2008)
By restraining himself and devoting to the domain’s financial reform, Tadatake manages to avoid a punishment. With Karō Zusho Hirosato’s reform steadily gaining results, the domain’s debt, which at one point reached 5 million Ryō (Japanese coin), is cleared. Meanwhile, the lives of farmers and samurai become extremely difficult, and their plight fueled animosity among young samurai like Saigō Kichnosuke and Ōkubo Shōsuke (Ōkubo Toshimichi) toward Daimyō Shimazu Narioki, who employed Zusho, and his concubine, Oyura. Amid hostilities, Shimazu Nariakira’s children have passed away one after another. What is more, a doll, supposedly used for curse, is found under the room of these children. The hatred toward Oyura and Zusho peaks within the domain. In this backdrop, Okatsu is invited by Zusho to his house. She visits him with Kimotsuki Naogorō. In his house, Zusho tells Okatsu that he wanted to share ideas with her before he goes off to Edo. Subsequently, Zusho went to Edo but is suspected by Rōjū Abein Masahiro of illegal trade. To protect Satsuma from repercussions, he kills himself by taking poison.[6]
Episode 3: Satsuma Divide (1/20/2008)
In Satsuma, Oyura—Narioki’s concubine—is trying to make her son an hair to the clan and antagonizing with the group that stood by Nariakira. Okatus is curious about the domain’s politics, but Tadatake chides her that politics is not what children should be involved in. In connection with the family quarrel, Ōkubo Tadasuke (Toshimichi) is punished by the domain. Okatsu, who heard the news from Naogorō, worries about Tadasuke’s family and starts to bring in food to the family from her home. Tadasuke is deeply moved by the kindness of Okatsu, Naogorō, and Saigō. Having seen Tadasuke’s sisters busy with their side jobs, Okatsu tries to give her expensive comb and hair ornament to Tadasuke’s mother, Fuku. Fuku, however, flatly refuses to accept them. To Okatsu, who is worried if her kindness hurt Fuku, Oyuki explains about the pride of women in Satsuma. Meanwhile, Nariakira, who became the head of the clan with the help of rōjū Abe, enters Satsuma with huge ambitions.[7]
Episode 4: A Wise Lord Angered (1/27/2008)
In the wake of the family quarrel, the new clan head Nariakira arrived at Satsuma from Edo and took the active lead in the reform of rice prices. The group who sided with Tadayuki (Shimazu Hisamitsu) feared how Nariakira was going to punish its members, but he did not punish anybody. Saigō and other young samurai became impatient because Ōkubo, who should have been pardoned right away, had not received clemency. Okatsu and Naogorō went over to Komatsu Kiyomichi and Ochika’s place and asked about Nariakira’s true intention. Kiyomich, however, told that believing in Nariakira is the only loyal attitude, but this did not convince Okatsu. Meanwhile, Nariakira invited the Imaizumi family to the castle to meet each member of the family in person. Tadatake trained Okatsu on manners to avoid embarrassment in the meeting. On the day of Okatsu's visit, Okatsu intensely pressed to Nariakira for why Ōkubo had not been pardoned. Nariakira, who had a different purpose for the meeting, began to have interest in Okatsu’s ardent attitude.[8]
Episode 5: The Best Man in Japan (2/3/2008)
Japanese history books were sent to Okatsu’s place from Nariakira. Kikumoto told Okatsu, who were overjoyed and busily reading the books, that the happiness of women lies in marriage. Meanwhile, Shimazu Tadayuki came with news to Tadatake that his son fell in love at first sight with Okatsu and that he wanted to marry her. Fearing the risk that Nariakira might misunderstand the connection between his family and Tadayuki's family, Tadateke, however, could not view the marriage proposal in a positive light. Naogorō, who heard the story from Tadayuki, was gravely shaken. He asked Okatsu about her thought on marriage, but she only told that she wishes to marry the best man in Japan. In the meantime, John Manjirō, who had just returned from the US, was invited to Satsuma. Naogorō, who met him, was inspired by his story that marriage in the US is based on the agreement between the individuals, unlike Japan where it is decided by the two families. This gave him courage to openly talk to Tadatake about his feelings for Okatsu. But, the next day, Tadatake was called up to the castle. Against his fear that the proposal news might have reached Nariakira, he was informed of Nariakira's plan for adopting Okatsu.[9]
Episode 6: Women’s Path (2/10/2008)
Nariakira’s plan to adopt Okatsu stirred Tadatake. Kikumoto, who had raised her since she was little, was overjoyed by this honor. Taken by surprised, Okatsu, however, was hesitant, not knowing what to do. It was only certain that she could not turn it down. Naogorō, who learned the news, grew desperate, for it would be impossible to marry Okatsu once she is adopted. Emotionally charged, he started to cry at Saigō’s home, but Saigō’s compassion cheered him up.
In the overjoyed Imaizumi family, Oyuki detected strangeness in Kikumoto’s behavior. Okatsu, in the meantime, implored Tadatake for permission to have an audience with Nariakira to plead for explanations. On the morning of Okatsu’s visit to the castle, Kikumoto pressed on Okatsu saying “A woman’s life is like walking on a long path. It is a dishonor to walk back the path."
In response to Okatsu’s straightforward question, Nariakira explains that he wants to adopt her because she is like his mother. Having learned his brimming affection for her, Okatsu finally came to a decision to become his daughter. When she returned home, however, there was news waiting that Kikumoto killed herself. ”[10]
Episode 7: The Father's Tears (2/17/2008)
Okatsu was gravely shaken from Kikumoto’s taking her own life. What is more, she started to hold ill feelings for her father, for he got rid of Kikumoto’s body as if treating criminals.[11]
Episode 36: Satsuma or Tokugawa (9/7/2008)
While the Edo group and the Kyōto group inside Ōoku continue to antagonize to each other, little by little Kazunomiya and Iemochi became closer. Tensho-in was finally feeling relieved.
Then, commanding a force of a few thousand solders, Hisamitsu left for Kyōto with the intention of receiving the Emperor’s approval for reforming the Tokugawa Shōgunate. Meanwhile, suspicion that Tenshō-in might be involved in the plot mounted in Edo.
The message that the Satsuma force headed to Edo reached Ōoku, and distrust directed to Tenshō-in further deepened. Amid this, even Iemochi, who had been on Tenshō-in’s side, came to suspect her. Crushed from everyone’s distrust, Tenshō-in started to burn her personal items that she brought with her from Satsuma. Seeing this, Iemochi realized how much she is hurt by his distrust and apologized to her that he would not doubt her from now on.[12]
Episode 37: Parting of Friendship (9/14/2008)
The Satsuma force led by Hisamitsu entered Edo accompanying an Imperial envoy. His aim was to reform the Tokugawa Shogunate. Meanwhile, Tenshō-in was anxious if Tatewaki also came to Edo accompanying Hisamitsu. Against Hisamitsu's wish, the negotiation between the envoy and Rōjū came to a dead end. Hisamitsu became extremely impatient and ordered Ōkubo to threaten the Rōjū side by force. While Tatewaki felt awkward toward such a forceful approach taken by his comrades, Satsuma succeeded in pressing on the reform plan. Tenshō-in, who was upset at Satsuma's cowardly move, sought an audience with Hisamitsu to ascertain his true intentions. With her unsuccessful meeting with Hisamitsu, she failed to exchange words with Tatewaki, who was in the company of Hisamitsu. Regretting this sour reunion with Tatewaki, Tenshō-in asked Iemochi to invite Tatewaki to Ōoku. Playing igo like when they were still in Satsuma, Tenshō-in and Tatewaki engaged in friendly conversation and promised to each other that each would try their best to defend their own people: the Tokugawa clan for Tenshō-in and the people of Satsuma for Tatewaki.[13]
Episode 38: Heart of the Mother-In-Law, Heart of the Wife (9/21/2008)
A letter from Tatewaki recounting what really took place in Namamugi Incident reached Tenshō-in. Having learned the truth, she maintained that the Shogunate, together with Satsuma, needed to apologize to Britain. Meanwhile, in Kyoto, the Chōshū group came to dominate the political scene, defeating the Satsuma group and its leaders Shimazu Hisamitsu and Iwakura Tomomi.
Amid this confusion, an Imperial Envoy came from Kyoto to Edo, demanding Iemochi to visit the capital and to implement a policy that would exclude foreigners. Upon discussing the matter with Tenshō-in, he made up his mind to tell the emperor in person that the implementation of such a policy would be unattainable. Princess Kazu, however, strongly opposed Iemochi’s decision.
Sakamoto Ryōma visited Katsu Rintarō. Although he initially intended to kill Lintarō, after discussion, he changed his mind and asked Lintarō to become his mentor. In the meantime in Satsuma, Tatewaki got promoted to the position of Karō.
In Edo castle, where Iemochi’s departure was looming close, Tenshō-in and Lintaro argued with each other whether Iemochi should take a land route or a sea route. Meanwhile, Kazunomiya, who learned that Tenshō-in pushed Iemochi to visit the capital, came to harbor strong hostility toward Tenshō-in.[14]
Episode 39: Buring Satsuma (9/28/2008)
The news that Shōgun Iemochi arrived at Kyoto came to Ōoku and lightened her mind. Kazunomiya, on the other hand, worried about Iemochi and became more restless. Her fear became true when radicals led by a Chōshū Domain group supporting the expulsion of foreigners dominated the Imperial Court in Kyoto. Mired in the quandary, Iemochi was forced to promise to the court the enforcement of expelling foreigners.
Tenshōin, who blamed herself for urging Iemochi’s visit to Kyoto, asked Kazunomiya to convince his brother, Emperor Kōmei to arrange Iemochi’s return to Edo, but Kazunomiya adamantly refused it. Tenshōin sent Katsu Kaishū to Iemochi, who fell ill from the exhaustion from the trip to Kyōto. Through the conversation with Katsu, Iemochi regained his spirits and learned his board perspective on the matter.
In the meantime, Chōshū Domain carried out the expulsion of foreigners, and word reached Satsuma. Hisamitsu and Tatewaki realized that war was imminent.
In Kyōto, Iemochi was permitted to return to Edo with Kazunomiya’s plea to the emperor. Tenshōin expressed her gratitude to Kazunomiya. Then, the news came in that the British Royal Navy staying in Yokohama headed to Satsuma. The Anglo-Satsuma War was about to start.[15]
Episode 40: Son Taking the Field (10/05/08)
Saigo, who had been exiled, came back. At the gathering where Saigo and his old friends reunited, Tatewaki met a geisho, Okoto. The Chōshū domain, which is bent on regaining its political leverage in the capital, suddenly attacked the Imperial Palace. This is known as the Hamaguri Rebellion. Tatewaki, who led the Satsuma forces, joined forces with the Shōgunate, along with Yoshinobu, and defeat the enemy forces. In the meantime, in Ōoku, Takiyama advised Tenshōin to let the Shogun have a concubine who could bare his heir, for she was purely concerned with the future of the Tokugawa clan and desired to consolidate the foundations of the Shugunate’s rule. Tenshōin, however, did not want to tore up the intimate relationship between Kazunomiya and Iemochi and flatly rejected the idea.
The Navel School established by Katsu Kaishū was about to be shut down by the shōgunate, suffering the repercussions of the Hamaguri Rebellion. Katsu sent his disciple Sakamoto Ryōma to Tatewaki, who was the karo| of the Satsuma domain, to ask him to take care of the students. Meanwhile, in Edo Castle, Kazunomiya showed signs of pregnancy, and the entire Ōoku was delighted with the news. Kangyōin—Kazunomiya’s mother—and Tenshōin both shared the excitement of expecting a grandchild. As it turned out, however, Kazunomiya’s pregnancy proved false.[16]
Atsuhime Travel Sketches (篤姫紀行)
Atsuhime Travel Sketches is a series of sketches that is assigned to the last few minutes of each episode. In each sketch, A few historical sites relevant to the drama are introduced with a short video clip and brief comment.
Sketch 1: Atsuhime’s Homeland[17]
- The Imaizumi Shimazu Family Residence Historical Site (今和泉島津家別邸跡) <Kagoshima City>
- Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, is the hometown of Atsuhime. It was a castle town of the 770, 000 koku Satsuma Domain. In 1835, Okatsu (later Atsuhime) was born in one of the Shimazu branch families, the Imaizumi Shimazu family, as the eldest daughter. Her birthhouse was located in the area close to Kagoshima Castle, where upper-class samurai lived.
- Ibusuki, Kagoshima is located 40 km north of Kagoshima City. The northern section of the city was the Imaizumi Shimazu family’s territory. In the Imaizumi family’s residence site still remains a chōzubachi that is known to be used by Atsuhime.
- Direction to the Imaizumi family’s residence site: JR Satsuma Imaizumi Station
Sketch 2: Naogorō’s Homeland[18]
- Komatsu Tatewaki Statue <Kagoshima City>
- Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture is the hometown of Kimotsuki Naogorō (later Komatsu Tatewaki). Naogorō was born in 1835, the same year as Atsuhime was born. He was the third son of Kimotsuki Kaneyoshi and grew up close to the birthhouse of Atsuhime.
- At the age of 23, Naogorō was adopted by the Komatsu family and afterwards became politically influential in the tumultuous period prior to the Meiji Restoration as karō of the Satsuma Domain.
Sketch 3: The Strongest Samuraihood[19]
- Izumi, Kagoshima, is the birthplace of the Shimazu clan. The first head of the clan, Shimazu Tadahisa, established the castle in the Kamakura period and built the clan’s foundation. In Kannōji Temple, the first five heads of the clan are resting peacefully. During that time, travelers and shipments passing through Izumi were strictly searched, for the location was on the boarder between Satsuma and Higo. On the foot of the hills still remain numerous residences of samurai.
Sketch 4: Nariakira’s Achievements[20]
- Shimazu Nariakira established the first modern factories at a location called Iso 5 km northeast of central Kagoshima city. With the incorporation of western technology, great efforts were made at the development of ironworks and shipbuilding, along with the foundation of the glass handcraft industry and the cotton mill industry. In Senganen, Shimzau’s villa, Nariakira succeeded in lightening a gas lamp. He was enshrined in Terukuni Shrine and is still known by many.
Sketch 5: Manjirō’s Homeland[21]
- Nakahama (Tosashimizu, Kōchi), located on the eastside of Ashizuri Peninsula, is the homeland of Nakahama Manjirō. Manjirō, who lost his father when he was young, started working early to make ends meet. It was at the age of 14, when he was cast away during his fishing trip. He was saved by an American whaling ship and spent 10 years in the foreign land of America. The knowledge that Manjirō brought from abroad gave a significant impact on later developments in Japan.
Sketch 6: Satsuma’s Gojū Education (郷中教育)[22]
- Kajiya Town, located on Kōtsuki River in Kagoshima, produced many leaders of the new Meiji government such as Saigō Takamori and Ōkubo Toshimichi. The Satsuma Domain had a unique educational system named Gojū Education (郷中教育). The territory was divided roughly into 30 areas, and within each area the senior educated the junior. Saigō and Ōkubo were also educated by teachings of their seniors.
Sketch 7: The Port Town Deeply Connected to Atsuhime[23]
- Ibusuki, Kagoshima is renowned for sunamushi hot spring (砂蒸し温泉), a hot spring that requires the body to be covered with hot, steamy sand. The town has a good natural port and was busy in trade with China and Ryūkyū in the past. As a consequence, however, the town was exposed to the threat of foreign ships many times. Lord Nariakira reinforced battery fortifications around the area to strengthen its defense.
Sketch 8: The Arrival of the Black Ships[24]
- During the Edo period, Uraga was an entrance for many ships which visited the country. Back then, the port was lined with ship merchants. Many Inari shrines built for business success still remain in the city. In 1853, four black ships commanded by Commodore Matthew Perry appeared in Uraga Bay. Seeking the opening of Japan, he lands on Kuri Beach. The arrival of the Black Ships heralded the beginning of the turmoil leading up to the Meiji Restoration and also radically changed the fate of Atsuhime.
Sketch 9: The Castle where Atsuhime was Born[25]
- Kagoshima Castle is called "Crane Castle" and has been cherished by many, for it is formed in a shape that appears like a crane spreading its wings. The front side has the main gate called Gorō Gate. Passing through the gate, a modestly constructed main palace used to welcomed visitors. It's been said that one corner of the building was assigned to Ōoku. The stone foundations still contain traces of bullets from the Satsuma Rebellion. In the castle that witnessed the tumultuous period of Japan, Okatsu took the name Atsuhime.
Sketch 10: Achievements of Tokugawa Nariaki
- Mito flourished during the Edo period as the castle town of the Mito Han, one of the Tokugawa Gosanke. The 9th daimyo of the domain, Tokugawa Nariaki aggressively carried out reform. He also encouraged both literary and military arts and established the school Kōdōkan and the relaxing place for samurai Kairakuen. Even after the family headship was handed over to his son, he remained on the political scene as a leading figure of the Jōi (攘夷) group, whcih supported the expulsion of foreigners from Japan.[26]
Sketch 11: The Town with a Flagrance of Antiquity
- Located at the southeast of Satsuma Peninsula, in current Minamisatsuma, Kagoshima, Bōnotsu Town had been known, inside and outside of the country, as a sea entrance to Japan. It is said that Ganjin, a renowned Buddhist monk, arrived here in 753f from China and passed on knowledge about incense. There is a historical record recounting that merchants of Bōnotsu broght in the incense called Jinkō (沈香) from Agarwoodto the Shimazu clan.
- It has been said that the activity to burn incense for entertainment caught on and expanded to the four corners of the country during the Edo period.[27]
Sketch 12: My Homeland, Sakurajima
- Sakurajima is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. In particular, the eruption in 1914 caused enormous damage to the region. Due to thermal effects created in the volcanic area, public bathhouses in Kagoshima, Kagoshima use hot spring water. At the foothills of Sakurajima grow local produce such as Sakurajima Daikon and Sakurajima Small Mikan. The volcano that Atsuhime adored is the homeland for people of Kagoshima across time.[28]
Sketch 13: Atsuhime’s Journey to Edo
- In the fall of 1853, Atsuhime dropped by Kyoto on the way to Edo. During her stay, she met with Konoe Tadahiro. Konoe, a Kuge, had a strong tie with Satsuma, since he married Nariakira’s elder sister as his primary wife. Tōfuku-ji Sokusōin, where Atsuhime visited for worshiping, was the temple where the Shimazu clan worshiped their ancestors tracing back to the Muromachi period. After spending roughly one week, she left for Edo with full of expectations and worries.[29]
Sketch 14: Ii Naosuke’s Homeland
- Ii Naosuke, who later played a significant role as a Tairō in the late Edo period, was born in 1815 as a son of the head of the Hikone domain. Although he was the 14th boy, coupled with his brothers’ untimely deaths, he was surprisingly chosen to head the domain at the age of 36. It was the Hikone domain that was guarding Uraga Bay when Commodore Perry came to demand Japan’s opening. Ii, who recognized the immense military power of the US, asserted the importance of opening the country. Afterwards, he antagonized with Tokugawa Nariaki over foreign policy.[30]
Sketch 15: The Temple Remembered in Connection with Saigō Takamori
- Meguro Fudōson Ryūsen-ji (目黒不動尊瀧泉寺) <Meguro, Tokyo>
- Meguro Fudōson Ryūsen-ji is a temple that is closely connected to Saigō Takamori. According to the temple’s historical recount, it was established in the Heian period and was bustled with visitors during the Edo period. In 1854, the Satsuma domain met with an unfortunate turn of events, Nariakira’s illness and his fifth son’s sudden death. Saigō wrote in a letter to his friend that he paid homage at the temple for Nariakira’s health. Under Nariakira, who recovered his health, Saigō lived through the tumult years of the late Edo period.[31]
Sketch 40: Hamaguri rebellion
- The Hamaguri Gate (蛤御門) <Kyoto City>
- On July 19th, 1864, the Chōshū domain attacked the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Later, this incident became known as the rebellion at the Hamaguri Gate. The Shogunate force guarding the palace was, at one point, overwhelmed by the Chōshū forces. The Satsuma forces led by Saigō Takamori came for reinforcement and turned the tables.
- It was said that Komatsu Tatewaki, who attacked Tenryū-ji, where the Choshū forces’ headquarters was located, distributed to commoners who suffered from fires from the war the rice that was left in the temple by the enemy forces. In the wake of this battle, Satsuma’s influence in Kyoto became further strengthened.[32]
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- ^ [26]
- ^ [27]
- ^ [28]