- the term generally refers to the section of Edo Castle where the women connected to the reigning Shōgun resided, but sometimes refers to the quarters where the women related to a powerful Daimyō.

This included the shōgun's mother, wife, and concubines. Rumored to have had several thousands of women at one point during its history, the Ōoku was, as much as any other part of Edo Castle, a focal point of political intrigue for the Tokugawa government.

There were no male adults admitted onto the floor of Ōoku without Shōgun. The corridor through which Shōgun entered was called and there was the only route connected to Ōoku from rest of Edo Castle.

Lady or Madam posted as or held the reins of power of Ōoku and they have attained to power equivalent of in Edo Castle.

A recent popular portrayal of the Ōoku was the Japanese television drama Ōoku: Hana no Ran and Atsuhime (NHK Taiga drama).

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