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Atsu-hime <ref>"Hime," often translated "princess," is a title used with the personal name of a woman of high rank, such as the daughter of a daimyo.</ref> was born the daughter of [[Shimazu Tadatake]] (島津忠剛), the head of a branch of the powerful Shimazu family, that of the lords of the [[Satsuma han|Satsuma fief]] of southern Kyushu. She was adopted by the lord of the fief, [[Shimazu Nariakira]] and given the name Atsu. 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 amoung the heads of several Tokugawa branch houses. The most natural one was his cousin, the young lord of Kii [[Tokugawa Iemochi | Iemochi]] ([[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 named as successor. The "outer lords," ([[Tozama]] Daimyo) including the Shimazu, had been shut out of the shogunate administration since the beginning, but from the shogunate side it was hoped that this marriage would strenghten the weakening shogunate with this powerful clan.

Atsu-hime <ref>"Hime," often translated "princess," is a title used with the personal name of a woman of high rank, such as the daughter of a daimyo.</ref> was born the daughter of [[Shimazu Tadatake]] (島津忠剛), the head of a branch of the powerful Shimazu family, that of the lords of the [[Satsuma han|Satsuma fief]] of southern Kyushu. She was adopted by the lord of the fief, [[Shimazu Nariakira]] and given the name Atsu. 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 amoung the heads of several Tokugawa branch houses. The most natural one was his cousin, the young lord of Kii [[Tokugawa Iemochi | Iemochi]] ([[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 named as successor. The "outer lords," ([[Tozama]] Daimyo) including the Shimazu, had been shut out of the shogunate administration since the beginning, but from the shogunate side it was hoped that this marriage would strenghten the weakening shogunate with 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, wife of Shogun Ienari|Kôdai-In]] 広大院) married the 11th shogun [[Tokugawa Ienari]]. In that case, they had been engaged before he was chosen as shogun. One of Kôdai-In's names was Atsu-hime.</ref> Her wedding [[palanquin]], today in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, bore the Tokugawa and Konoe [[kamon|family crests]], part of the elaborate [[gold leaf]] decorations on a black lacquered exterior; meanwhile, 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> Then 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 Mi-dokoro, 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, wife of Shogun Ienari|Kôdai-In]] 広大院) married the 11th shogun [[Tokugawa Ienari]]. In that case, they had been engaged before he was chosen as shogun. One of Kôdai-In's names was Atsu-hime.</ref> Her wedding [[palanquin]], today in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, bore the Tokugawa and Konoe [[kamon|family crests]], part of the elaborate [[gold leaf]] decorations on a black lacquered exterior; meanwhile, 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> Then 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 Mi-dokoro, the wife of the shogun.   

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

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