Megohime

Megohime, or Yoshihime (愛姫, 1568 – February 21, 1653) was the wife of Date Masamune, and the daughter and only child of Tamura Kiyoaki. Her other names are Tamura Gozen (田村御前) and Yōtokuin (陽徳院).

Life

In 1579, she married Masamune at the age of twelve. It was rumored that her family was under suspicion of treachery and treason due to her father’s relations. Masamune had her handmaidens executed. No evidence ever backed up the suspicions.^[1] Their marital relations became strained by these events, but were eventually amended, and Megohime gave Masamune four children, including his heir, Date Tadamune.

She lived at the Date mansion in the court of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and acted as her husband's diplomat to the court. In 1636, after the death of Masamune, Megohime became a nun and took the Buddhist name of Yōtokuin.

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