Born a daughter of Saitō Toshimitsu, a senior retainer of Akechi Mitsuhide, and named Fuku.
After the Honnō-ji Incident her father Toshimitsu was defeated at Yamazaki and executed. Fuku grew up with her mother's relatives and is said to have acquired a fine education.
Around this time she married Inaba Masanari and had children (year debated).
She became wet nurse to Takechiyo (later Iemitsu), son of the second shogun Hidetada.
Around this time Hidetada and his wife favoured the younger Kunimatsu, endangering Takechiyo's position. Fuku reportedly appealed to Ieyasu at Sunpu, who confirmed Takechiyo as heir.
When Iemitsu became the third shogun, she took charge of the Ōoku, the women's quarters of Edo castle, and set its rules and organization.
She went to Kyoto, was permitted an audience with the emperor and received the name Kasuga no Tsubone.
She died in Edo. When Iemitsu once fell ill, she reportedly vowed never to take medicine herself as she prayed for his recovery.
Akechi MitsuhideTokugawa Iemitsu
Hon'ami KōetsuYagyū MunenoriTokugawa HidetadaKobori EnshūHayashi RazanMiyamoto MusashiIngenMatsudaira Nobutsuna
People of the Edo period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.