During the Edo period, Edo Castle—the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns—contained a special area known as the Ōoku. This was a women-only world, home to the shogun’s official wife (the “midai-dokoro”), his concubines, and the many female attendants who served them. For centuries, the true nature of the Ōoku remained hidden behind a veil of secrecy.

What Was the Ōoku?

The Ōoku was established in the main, second, and western enclosures of Edo Castle as a residential quarter for the women of the shogun’s household. Here, the midai-dokoro, concubines, and a hierarchy of attendants—including senior ladies-in-waiting, chamberlains, and junior attendants—lived under a strict order and structure unique to the Ōoku.

Glamour and Strict Regulations

Although the Ōoku may appear to have been a glamorous and elegant society of women, in reality it was governed by strict rules such as the “Kabegaki” and “Jochū Hatto” (regulations for female attendants). Every aspect of life, from private affairs to contact with the outside world, was tightly controlled. It was far from a place of carefree freedom.

Power Struggles and Human Drama

The Ōoku was also part of the Tokugawa power structure. Rivalries for status among the midai-dokoro, concubines, and attendants, as well as complex interpersonal relationships, sometimes influenced issues of succession and even national politics. It was a stage where the “front” and “back” of power intersected, and the rise and fall of women’s fortunes played out in dramatic fashion.

Joys, Sorrows, and Daily Life

Despite the harsh restrictions, the women of the Ōoku experienced their own joys, sorrows, anger, and pleasures in their daily lives. The Ōoku was not simply like a girls’ school; it was a place where women lived robustly, buffeted by the tides of history.

The Image and Reality of the Ōoku

Novels and dramas have often depicted the Ōoku as a world of glamour or intrigue. However, recent research into historical records, personal belongings, and artworks is revealing a more nuanced and realistic picture of life within the Ōoku.

The Ōoku in Art

The “Chiyoda no Ōoku” series by Meiji-era ukiyo-e artist Yōshū Chikanobu is a valuable visual resource, vividly and meticulously depicting annual events and daily life in the Ōoku. Since little direct documentation of the Ōoku’s reality survives, these works—based on hearsay, imagination, and information from those connected to the Ōoku—are unique and highly regarded as visual records.

Conclusion

The Ōoku of Edo Castle was a special world for women, protected by rules and secrecy. Behind its splendor lay strict discipline and complex human relationships, as well as the real, everyday lives of its residents. Exploring the Ōoku through historical records and artworks offers a rare opportunity to understand the lives of women in the Edo period and the depth of Japanese culture.