Changes

Adopting the daughter of a branch house or a high-ranking retainer for use in marriage politics was not an unusual practice in Japan; it was much used by [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]], among others. In Atsu's case, Nariakira intended to marry her to the shogun Tokugawa Iesada. However, Nariakira's purpose was not to become the grandfather of the future shogun. Iesada had already buried two wives and was still childless. His successor had to be chosen from among the heads of several Tokugawa branch houses. The most natural one was his cousin, the young lord of [[Wakayama han|Kii]] [[Tokugawa Iemochi|Iemochi]] (aka Yoshitomi, [[1846]]-[[1866]]). However, [[Tokugawa Yoshinobu|Yoshinobu]] ([[1837]]-1913), originally of the [[Mito Tokugawa clan]], but adopted into the [[Hitotsubashi Tokugawa clan|Hitotsubashi branch]], was also a strong candidate. The latter was supported by those, including Nariakira, who believed the shogunate needed a strong leader who could make necessary reforms, especially in view of the foreign threat typified by the visit of [[Matthew Perry]] in 1853. It was hoped that Atsu could be influential in getting Yoshinobu to be named as successor. The "outer lords" (''[[tozama]] daimyô''), including the Shimazu, had been shut out of the shogunate administration since the beginning, but from the shogunate's perspective it was hoped that this marriage would strengthen the weakening shogunate by allying it to this powerful clan.

Adopting the daughter of a branch house or a high-ranking retainer for use in marriage politics was not an unusual practice in Japan; it was much used by [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]], among others. In Atsu's case, Nariakira intended to marry her to the shogun Tokugawa Iesada. However, Nariakira's purpose was not to become the grandfather of the future shogun. Iesada had already buried two wives and was still childless. His successor had to be chosen from among the heads of several Tokugawa branch houses. The most natural one was his cousin, the young lord of [[Wakayama han|Kii]] [[Tokugawa Iemochi|Iemochi]] (aka Yoshitomi, [[1846]]-[[1866]]). However, [[Tokugawa Yoshinobu|Yoshinobu]] ([[1837]]-1913), originally of the [[Mito Tokugawa clan]], but adopted into the [[Hitotsubashi Tokugawa clan|Hitotsubashi branch]], was also a strong candidate. The latter was supported by those, including Nariakira, who believed the shogunate needed a strong leader who could make necessary reforms, especially in view of the foreign threat typified by the visit of [[Matthew Perry]] in 1853. It was hoped that Atsu could be influential in getting Yoshinobu to be named as successor. The "outer lords" (''[[tozama]] daimyô''), including the Shimazu, had been shut out of the shogunate administration since the beginning, but from the shogunate's perspective it was hoped that this marriage would strengthen the weakening shogunate by allying it to this powerful clan.

   

   

As the wife of the shogun was supposed to be from the imperial family or from a high-ranking imperial noble (''[[kuge]]'') family, Atsu was adopted by the [[Minister of the Right]], [[Konoe Tadahiro]].<ref>A similar route had been chosen when a woman from the Shimazu family ([[Kodai-in (1773-1844)|Kôdai-in]]) married the 11th shogun [[Tokugawa Ienari]]. In that case, they had been engaged before he was chosen as shogun. Kôdai-in was coincidentally also known as Atsu-hime.</ref> Her wedding [[palanquin]], today in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, bore the Tokugawa and Konoe [[kamon|family crests]] as part of elaborate [[gold leaf]] decorations on a black lacquered exterior; painted panels on the inside depicted scenes from the [[Genji monogatari|Tale of Genji]].<ref>"[http://www.artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=26995&int_modo=1 The Princess Atsuhime's Wedding Palanquin Revealed in the Smithsonian's Arthur M. Sackler Gallery]. ArtDaily.org. 3 November 2008.</ref> In the 11th month of [[1856]], she entered [[Edo castle]] as the wife of the shogun. The next year she was formally given the title of ''Midaidokoro'', the wife of the shogun.   

As the wife of the shogun was supposed to be from the imperial family or from a high-ranking imperial noble (''[[kuge]]'') family, Atsu was adopted by the [[Minister of the Right]], [[Konoe Tadahiro]].<ref>A similar route had been chosen when a woman from the Shimazu family ([[Kodai-in (1773-1844)|Kôdai-in]]) married the 11th shogun [[Tokugawa Ienari]]. In that case, they had been engaged before he was chosen as shogun. Kôdai-in was coincidentally also known as Atsu-hime.</ref> Her wedding [[palanquin]], today in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, bore the Tokugawa and Konoe [[kamon|family crests]] as part of elaborate [[gold leaf]] decorations on a black lacquered exterior; painted panels on the inside depicted scenes from the [[Genji monogatari|Tale of Genji]].<ref>"[http://www.artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=26995&int_modo=1 The Princess Atsuhime's Wedding Palanquin Revealed in the Smithsonian's Arthur M. Sackler Gallery]. ArtDaily.org. 3 November 2008.</ref> In the 11th month of [[1856]], she entered [[Edo castle]] as the wife of the shogun. The wedding ceremony took place the following month, on 12/18.<ref>Ishin Shiryô Kôyô 維新史料綱要, vol 2 (1937), 277, 282.</ref> The next year she was formally given the title of ''Midaidokoro'', the wife of the shogun.   

[[Image:Atsuhime portrait.jpg|left|thumb|Atsuhime]]

[[Image:Atsuhime portrait.jpg|left|thumb|Atsuhime]]