Yorishige Matsudaira, the first lord of the Matsudaira family in the Sanuki Takamatsu province, was the eldest son of Yorifusa Tokugawa, the 11th son of Ieyasu Tokugawa.

Originally, he was in the position of succeeding the Mito Tokugawa family, but his father Yorifusa considered to his elder brother, Yoshinao (the Lord of Owari province) and Yorinobu (the Lord of Kishu province), so the third son of Yorifusa, Mitsukuni was appointed as Lord of the Mito province. Mitsukuni Tokugawa became the famous Mito Komon. Therefore, the first lord Yorishige Matsudaira and Mitsukuni Tokugawa are brothers.

And, a big event occurred in the Sanuki Takamatsu province Matsudaira family in the late Edo period. It was the “Sakuradamongai Incident” in 1860 when Naosuke Ii was killed by Mito lord less samurais and others. In fact, Yachiyo princess, the second daughter of Naosuke Ii, and Yoritoshi , son of Yoritane Matsudaira, the tenth Lord of Takamatsu province, were married. It was a very unusual love marriage at that time.

However, Naosuke Ii was assassinated in the “Sakuradamongai Incident”, and the vassals were dismissed by Nobumasa Ando , who were holding the power of the Roju. Under the situation, Yachiyo princess and Yoritoshi were divorced by the opinions from their vassals. But, the thoughts on thinking of each other exceeded the big event of history.

After the Edo Bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a Shogun) fell into the Meiji period, Yoritoshi and her dear Yachiyo princess returned from the divorce. Keeping as single for each other, during nine years have passed since they separated each other.

It was born in 1868 between Yasuharu and Yachiyo princess (who changed the name Chiyoko) Yoshiko Matsudaira,

In 1868, Yutaka Matsudaira, the grandfather of Yoshiko Matsudaira, was born between Yoritoshi and Yachiyo princess (who later changed name to Chiyoko) after they got back together.

Later, Yotaka married with Yoshiko's grandmother, Toshiko who was the sixth daughter of Naohiro Nabeshima, the Lord of Saga province, who was active as a diplomat after the Meiji Restoration. Toshiko works as a social businesswoman from the late Taisho period to the end of the war.

After the war, Toshiko became the principal of Japan Women's high school, the predecessor of Showa Women's University from her outstanding gracility. At the time of her principal, Toshiko compiled a life text book “Teachings of Matsudaira" which handed down to the Matsudaira family for generations.

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Matsudaira Style

Toshiko Matsudaira, the grandmother of Yoshiko Matsudaira, was born as the sixth daughter of Naosohiro Nabeshima, the Marquis of the Saga Domain, and was brought up under severe discipline.

Being keenly aware of the need for girls' education and concurrently serving in various social roles, she served as the second principal of Japan Women's High School (predecessor of Showa Women's University) and contributed to the development of the school while standing on the teacher’s platform.

In the meantime, the “Style", a textbook on the way of life, is reproduced as "Matsudaira's teaching", which has been passed down through the ages.

That teaching is the strength of determination to be prepared for something other than yourself, for someone other than yourself, and part or all of your life.

With supple strength and deep kindness, being trusted and loved by the people around. It is a teaching for the people who can accomplish what decided and fulfill the life of oneself and others.

The history of the Matsudaira family is a history that has protected the responsibilities as a model for the samurai society and human reason that should serve.

The way of life that goes through is called "Matsudaira-style".