A Model of a Good Wife who Supported her Husband’s Success During Wartime

Chiyo, the wif of YAMA AMAUCHI Kazutoyo

YAMAUCHI Kazutoyo (1545 ~ 1605), who had an unstable life after the fall of his master’s family, married Chiyo (1557 ~ 1617) who had experienced a similar life. The poor couple dreamed Kazutoyo would become a lord of a country (state) some day. The brave Kazutoyo served KINOSHITA Tokichiro (later called TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi, who became a ruler of Japan and who was a subordinate of ODA Nobunaga who was known as a revolutionist of the middle ages).

Kazutoyo fought in many wars and carried out many great exploits, and the number of his territory and subordinates increased. This was largely due to Chiyo’s cheerfulness and wisdom. The couple loved each other, but unfortunately were not blessed with any children which was Chioyo’s only anxiety. However, nine years later after their marriage, they finally had a girl. They named her “Yone” and lavished affection on her.

At a horse market held in Azuchi, the castle town belonging to Nobunaga who almost became the dominant leader of Japan, one of the finest horses that no one had ever seen before appeared, but none of the Oda family warriors could buy the horse as the price was 10 ryo (millions of yen in modern currency). Chiyo heard this story and had Kazutoyo buy the horse using 10 ryo that had been given to her by her mother for times when her husband was in need. This news quickly spread and soon became a conversation topic among the Oda family. Nobunaga, who had heard the story said, “If no one in the Oda family could buy the horse, it would bring shame to the Oda family,” and gave Kazutoyo a bonus in appreciation for his deed.

Nobunaga died during a rebellion by his subordinates in 1582 and Hideyoshi took the reins of power. While Kazutoyo was fighting against his enemies, he was promoted to lord of Nagahama castle. However, a great earthquake hit this area and their amicable Yone was crushed to death under a collapsed building. The couple’s sorrow was immeasurable and Chiyo could not have any more children after that. Children at that time usually succeeded their fathers. It was therefore common practice at the time for generals to have mistresses as well as wives. However, the sincere Kazutoyo ignored the advice from people around him to keep mistresses and remained faithful to Chiyo.

Hideyoshi, who had dominated Japan died in Osaka castle in 1598 and TOKUGAWA Ieyasu took power. Ieyasu remained in Osaka to take care of Hideyori, son of Hideyoshi, who was destined to take over the control of Japan, but in 1600 Ieyasu went to Kanto with his military to fight UESUGI of Aizu (Fukushima prefecture). Kazutoyo provided food for Ieyasu’s military which was headed for Edo (Tokyo) on Tokaido avenue and entertained Ieyasu. In fact, Kazutoyo was advised to do so by Chiyo who foresaw that Ieyasu would be the next conqueror of the country.

After Ieyasu left for Edo, ISHIDA Mitsunari, a subordinate of the Toyotomi family, entered Osaka castle and declared his intention to defeat Ieyasu under the name of Hideyori. In order to take generals who left with Ieyasu for Kanto to Toyotomi’s side, Mitsunari planned to take their families as hostages and called them to Osaka. Chiyo, who received a letter from Mitsunari explaining this plan, sent a secret messenger to take the letter to Kazutoyo with another letter addressed to him. In the letter she wrote “Don’t worry about me. If our enemy approaches me, I’ll kill myself.”

When Kazutoyo received her letters, he handed the letter to Ieyasu as Chiyo had instructed. Furthermore, at their military meeting, he showed himself to be a very strong Tokugawa ally. This led the other generals whose families had been taken hostage to reveal their allegiances to Tokugawa. At the war that took place at Sekigahara, Tokugawa achieved a great victory and the age of Tokugawa began as Chiyo had foresaw. At the granting of honors, Ieyasu praised him by saying, “Kazutoyo’s achievement was the best among the generals” and gave him the “country” of Tosa (Kochi prefecture). Kazutoyo and Chiyo’s dreamhad come true after 30 years of marriage.

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