Basic Study on the life cycle and inner-palace working of samurai women in the early modern period

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23520825
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Japanese history
• Research Institution: Tohoku Gakuin University
• Principal Investigator: KIKUCHI KEIKO 東北学院大学, 文学部, 教授 (00258782)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 武家女性 / 奥女中 / 表と奥 / 奥向の儀礼 / 女使 / 仙台藩伊達家奥方 / 一関藩田村家奥向 / 秋田藩佐竹家奥向

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, I paid attention to the role of women in samurai politics of the Edo era. The main concern of the past, was a study of the inner palace in Edo Castle of the Tokugawa Shogun. Against this inner palace model, I took up feudal lords of the Tohoku region in this study. Specifically, it is the Sendai clan, Akita clan, Hachinohe clan, Hirosaki clan, Morioka clan. Through the reading of collecting historical materials, I discussed the role of wife and mother of feudal lords. In addition I examined work contents and life course of the maid in the palace.

Free Research Field

日本近世史