Foreign Student (hereinafter FS): The Imperial Palace stands on what was once Edo Castle, and I’ve heard that there was a harem in that castle. Is that true? Teacher (hereinafter T): Ah! You’re talking about Ohoku, which was founded in the early 17th century. The Ohoku was established in the era of the second shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada, and during the reign of the third shogun, Iemitsu, the system was altered so that the only man who could enter was the shogun. The first shogun, Ieyasu, brought the long lasting Warring States period to a close by subjugating all of Japan. In order to maintain stability, it was important to ensure there would be an heir to the throne. FS: How was the shogun’s harem organized? T: It was a pyramid system, in which only the women in the top five ranking classes were able to see the shogun. These women were selected from high class families. It is said that the maids serving these women were distributed between six workplaces. These maids could be chosen from among ordinary citizens, and the number of maids was at one time as many as 1,000. As it was a great honor to join the Ohoku, an entrance exam was conducted. Official wives were chosen for political reasons. Women whose status rose as managers of the Ohoku, or concubines that gave birth to boys – that might one day be heirs to the throne – wielded more political power than daimyou (lords). FS: How were they treated? T: The highest ranked women received the equivalent of over 20 million yen a year. In addition, there were many benefits, such as being awarded a house. An event was held every month at which the women could sample regional specialties. Furthermore, they lived extravagantly. Official wives never wore the same kimono twice. On the other hand, many scandals regarding love affairs occurred. A well-known incident is that of a senior woman who was accused of committing adultery with a popular kabuki actor. Another one is group of women who committed adultery with monks while visiting a temple under the pretext of praying for a safe childbirth. FS: Weren’t the women at the Ohoku involved in politics? The Tokugawa period lasted for 260 years, and two Ohoku women played historically important roles during the reign of the 15th and last shogun, Yoshinobu. In March 1868, an army intent on overthrowing the shogun and restoring the Emperor to power was about to launch an all-out attack on Edo with the intention of completely destroying the Tokugawa regime. Edo was one of the largest cities in the world at that time and if that had happened, would have been consumed in flames. Kazunomiya, Emperor Komei’s sister and the official wife of the 14th shogun, Iemochi sent a letter to the new government’s military commander IWAKURA Tomosada – a childhood friend – pleading with him to stop the attack. In addition, Tenshouin, the legal wife of the 13th shogun, Iesada, and daughter of the lord of Satsuma – who was at the heart of the anti-Tokugawa movement – wrote a letter to the commander of the new government’s force SAIGO Takamori, who was formerly her retainer. Their heartfelt appeal had a huge influence on the anti-Tokugawa army; the attack was halted and Edo castle surrendered to the new government without bloodshed. This is where the history of the shogun’s harem ends; the women left the castle and each went their separate ways.