Oheyasama - Oheyasama

A respectful title given to the concubines of nobles. Particularly in the Ooku of Edo Castle, the Shogun's concubines, the Churo, stayed in the room of their caretaker in groups of two or three, unless they had given birth. Only after giving birth were they given an independent room, and if the baby was a boy they were called "Oheya-sama" and if the baby was a girl they were called "Ohara-sama." In the history of the Tokugawa shoguns, all of the children of the Shoguns were born to concubines, with the exception of Iemitsu, who was born to Hidetada's legal wife. Once they became Oheya-sama they were treated second only to the Midaidokoro, and their parents received stipends and were promoted to samurai.

[Fumio Inagaki]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

貴人の妾(めかけ)に対する敬称。とくに江戸城大奥では、将軍の側室であるお手付中﨟(ちゅうろう)も、子を産まぬ以上は世話親の部屋に2、3人ずつ同宿した。出産して初めて独立の部屋を与えられ、男児なら「御部屋様」、女児を産めば「御腹様」とよばれた。徳川の歴史のうち、将軍の子は、秀忠(ひでただ)の正妻が産んだ家光(いえみつ)のほかは、みな侍妾(じしょう)が産んでいる。御部屋様になると御台所(みだいどころ)に次ぐ扱いとなり、親にも扶持(ふち)が出て、武士に取り立てられた。

［稲垣史生］

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