Shōgun

The highest-ranking woman in Japan, Ochiba-no-kata is the feared and admired mother of the Heir. 

With no allies and no power, Ochiba took fate into her own hands, climbing back up the social ladder. She became one of the Taikō's many young and disposable consorts, but she worked hard and risked everything she could to gain power and have some measure of control over her life.As the mother of the Heir, Ochiba knows that her son is not safe until he comes of age. The vultures are circling as many wish to depose the young boy. Suspicious of every warlord, especially Toranaga, Ochiba must use all of her cunning to protect her child.When someone from her past comes to challenge her convictions, Ochiba must confront the lethal leader she has become.

The historical model for Lady Ochiba is Yodo-no-kata. Among the samurai princesses who lived during the Sengoku period, perhaps none led a more dramatic life than Yodo-no-kata. She was born Azai Chacha. Her father was the warlord Azai Nagamasa and her mother was Oichi-no-kata, the younger sister of Oda Nobunaga (Kuroda Nobuhisa in Shōgun).

Though her mother was married by her brother to Nagamasa to strengthen the ties between the Azai and Oda clans, her father sided with the Asakura clan when this longtime ally of the Azais was attacked by Nobunaga. After three years of war, Azai's main castle fell and Nagamasa committed seppuku. Four-year-old Chacha was rescued along with her mother and sisters by a vassal of Nobunaga. After this incident, she lived with her mother and sisters under the protection of Nobunaga.

When Nobunaga was killed in the Honnōji incident in 1582, it was arranged that Chacha's mother would marry Shibata Katsuie, a vassal of the Oda clan. At the age of 13, Chacha went to live with her mother and sisters at Katsuie's castle in Echizen (present-day Fukui Prefecture).

A year later, however, Katsuie clashed with Hideyoshi (the Taikō). After a magnificent victory by Hideyoshi, Katsuie was forced to retreat to his castle, where Chacha and the others were waiting. He told them to flee the castle, but Chacha's mother Oichi-no-kata refused. Only the three sisters escaped. Katsuie killed his wife and committed seppuku with 80 loyal retainers.

It is not clear what happened to the three sisters after they fled. Most likely they were taken into custody by members of the Oda clan. Around 1588, Chacha became one of Hideyoshi's concubines. Although Hideyoshi remained childless by his wife Nene (Daiyoin in Shōgun) and his many concubines, Chacha bore him two sons.&nbsp;The first son, Tsurumatsu, died at the age of two, but the second son, Hideyori, was healthy and became Hideyoshi's heir. However, Hideyoshi died when the boy was only five years old. As Hideyoshi's mother and guardian, Chacha had to keep the Toyotomi clan afloat, which she did in cooperation with Nene.

Every legend begins with a story.&nbsp;Explore the vision and artistry behind FX's Shōgun's groundbreaking series. Join host and staff writer Emily Yoshida as she sits down with the creators, cast, and crew that brought Sengoku Era Japan to life.

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The highest-ranking woman in Japan, Ochiba is the feared and admired mother of the Heir.

Fumi Nikaido as Ochiba no Kata for FX's Shogun

Ochiba No Kata | FX's Shōgun

The Mother of the Heir

Historical Background

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