Shimazu Shigehide
- Born:
- Died:
- Japanese: 島津重豪 (Shimazu Shigehide)
Shimazu Shigehide was the 25th Shimazu clan lord of Satsuma province, known especially for his support for Western Studies, and for relative openness regarding travel and exchanges between Satsuma and other provinces.
During the early years of his reign, Shimazu Hisamoto served as an unofficial regent for the young Shigehide.
In 1779, he established an astronomical observatory and academy called the Meiji-kan; later renamed Tenmonkan, this site grew to become the chief center of urban culture in Kagoshima.[1]
His concubines included Chima no kata, eldest daughter of the court noble Tsutsumi Toshinaga, whose direct descendants would include the famous Atsuhime.[2] Shigehide's children included Kôdai-in, who went on to become the chief wife of Shogun Tokugawa Ienari.
References
- ↑ Plaques on-site at Tenmonkan.
- ↑ Plaque at grave of Chima no kata, Shôjôke-in, Teramachi-dôri, Kyoto.