It was around this time that domain finances came under pressure, and a senior retainer called Zusho Hirosato who was formerly a tea servant to Shigehide was employed to restore the treasury to its former glory. In the late 18th century Shimadzu Shigehide developed an interest in western culture, and invested greatly in educational reforms in the Satsuma domain. During the peace of the Edo period cultural pursuits flourished, and the 19th head of the family, Mitsuhisa constructed a magnificent house and gardens overlooking Sakurajima named Sengan-en.

While other losing domains were rescinded the Shimadzu managed to keep control of their lands, and developed a close relationship with the Tokugawa shogunate.Дuring the Edo period (1604-1868), the 18th head of the Shimadzu family, Iehisa constructed Kagoshima Castle and annexed the Ryukyu Islands, establishing trade with China and making Satsuma one of the wealthiest domains in Japan. In 1587, regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi pushed the Shimadzu clan back to southern Kyushu, and in 1600 the Shimadzu fought on the losing side at the Battle of Sekigahara, with Yoshihiro making an amazing escape back to Kagoshima with only a handful of men. The Shimadzu became protectors of the three fiefs of Satsuma, Osumi, and Hyuga, and were granted authority over the islands to the south вЂ“ a reference to the Kingdom of Ryukyu. Tadahisa took the name of the estate as his surname and founded the Shimadzu family line. Tadahisa became a retainer of the Minamoto clan, and was appointed steward of the Shimadzu estate in Southern Kyushu by the first Kamakura shogun, Minamotono no Yoritomo in 1187. Aided by the deity Inari, the baby was delivered safely despite the raging thunderstorm. Legend has it that TadahisaвЂ™s pregnant mother Tango-no-Tsubone, having escaped Kamakura for political reasons, went into labour while trapped in a thunderstorm at Sumiyoshi Taisha and gave birth while clinging onto a rock. The history of the Shimadzu family begins over 800 years ago with the birth of Koremune Tadahisa at Sumiyoshi Taisha, an important Shinto shrine in Osaka. Presently in its 32nd generation, the Shimadzu family is one of JapanвЂ™s oldest and most famous warrior clans. The Shimadzu watched over the land and people of Kagoshima for over 700 years from the Kamakura period (1185-1333) until the end of the Edo period (1603-1868).

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