Senhime

Senhime (千姫) was a prominent figure in Japanese history during the early Edo period. She was a princess (hime), born in 1597, belonging to the powerful Tokugawa clan and playing a significant role in solidifying the Tokugawa shogunate's power and forging alliances through marriage.

Senhime's life was marked by political marriages. She was the eldest daughter of the second shōgun, Tokugawa Hidetada, and Oeyo (also known as Sugen'in). At the young age of seven, she was married to Toyotomi Hideyori, the son and heir of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the previous taiko (retired regent) who had preceded the Tokugawa. This marriage was orchestrated by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shōgun, as a strategic move to incorporate the Toyotomi clan into the Tokugawa system.

However, the relationship between the Tokugawa and Toyotomi deteriorated, leading to the Siege of Osaka. In 1615, during the final battle of the siege, Osaka Castle fell to the Tokugawa forces. It is said that Senhime pleaded for the life of her husband, Hideyori, but he was ultimately executed.

Following Hideyori's death, Senhime was returned to the Tokugawa clan. She was later remarried to Honda Tadatoki, a daimyō (feudal lord) and a grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu's renowned general, Honda Tadakatsu. This second marriage produced children, further solidifying the Tokugawa's position.

Senhime's story is often romanticized in historical fiction and popular culture, focusing on her youth, her dramatic first marriage, and the political turmoil surrounding her life. She died in 1666 and is buried at Chion-in temple in Kyoto. Her life is viewed as a significant example of the political maneuvering and strategic alliances formed through marriage during the Edo period in Japan.