Hosokawa Gracia

A stone lantern marking the grave of Hosokawa Gracia and her husband Hosokawa Tadaoki, at Kôtô-in, a subtemple of Daitoku-ji, in Kyoto.

• Death: 1600
• Other name: Tamako (玉子), Donna Gracia
• Distinction: Christian; Wife of Hosokawa Tadaoki
• Japanese: 細川ガラシャ (Hosokawa Garasha)

Gracia was the 3rd daughter of Akechi Mitsuhide and was married to Hosokawa Tadaoki. When her father killed Oda Nobunaga, Gracia was for a time confined and was only taken back by her husband thanks to the intervention of Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi. According to tradition, Gracia was introduced to Christianity by Takayama Ukon, and pursued it while Tadaoki was away fighting in Korea (1592-93, 1597-98), eventually being baptized. In 1600 she was left in Osaka castle by her husband as one of a number of wives to act as hostages by notable Tokugawa loyalists. Soon afterwards, Ishida Mitsunari attempted to seize the women to influence their husbands, and in the attempt Gracia was killed - either on her orders or those of her husband.

References

• Initial text from Samurai-Archives.com FWSeal & CEWest, 2005