Yamauchi Chiyo

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Yamauchi Chiyo (山内千代) or Kenshōin (見性院, 1557 – 1617) was a Japanese noble lady from the Sengoku period to the early of the Edo period. Known in history for her dedication and devotion to her family, she was vitally important to the success of the Yamauchi clan, a samurai clan under the leadership of her husband, Yamauchi Kazutoyo. It is said that she was responsible for stabilizing the predominance of the Yamauchi clan, and the formation of the Tosa domain.^[1]

She was the daughter of Endo Morikazu, lord of Gujo-Hachiman castle. Her personal name is thought to have been Chiyo or Matsu, but there is no certainty. Becoming a Buddhist nun, she took the religious name of Kenshôin.