Isaniwa Yukiya (伊佐庭如矢, Isaniwa Yukiya) (1828–1907) was the first mayor of Dogo Yunomachi (道後湯之町) which is famous for…Isaniwa Yukiya (伊佐庭如矢, Isaniwa Yukiya) (1828–1907) was the first mayor of Dogo Yunomachi (道後湯之町) which is famous for Dōgo Onsen. He made today's Dōgo Onsen while he was the mayor. He thought the tourism era would come in the future, so he made a plan to make the city into a resort city.
Count Soejima Taneomi (副島 種臣; 17 October 1828 – 31 January 1905) was a Japanese diplomat and politician active during…Count Soejima Taneomi (副島 種臣; 17 October 1828 – 31 January 1905) was a Japanese diplomat and politician active during the early Meiji period.
Oura Kei (大浦 慶, Ōura Kei; 1828–1884) was a Japanese businesswoman. She managed a successful tea-import business with…Oura Kei (大浦 慶, Ōura Kei; 1828–1884) was a Japanese businesswoman. She managed a successful tea-import business with the help of her international foreign contacts. She acted as a patron of, among others, Sakamoto Ryoma. She was a figure of importance in contemporary Japan and a celebrity of sorts; during general Ulysses S. Grant's visit to Japan in 1879, she personally escorted him during an official visit to his ship.
Saihei Hirose (June 16, 1828 – 1914) was a Japanese mining businessman and former head of the board of directors of…Saihei Hirose (June 16, 1828 – 1914) was a Japanese mining businessman and former head of the board of directors of Sumitomo Zaibatsu from 1877 to 1894. Prior to that, he was manager of the Besshi copper mine, which he extensively modernised using Western technology. There is a museum dedicated to him in Niihama, called the Hirose Memorial Museum.
Nishimura Shigeki (西村 茂樹; 26 April 1828 – 18 August 1902) was a Japanese educator and leader of the Meiji Enlightenment…Nishimura Shigeki (西村 茂樹; 26 April 1828 – 18 August 1902) was a Japanese educator and leader of the Meiji Enlightenment during the Meiji period. He also went by his pen-name of Nishimura Hakuo. He wrote more than 130 books and over 200 articles in his long literary career. Born to the family of the samurai chief administer to the daimyō of Sakura domain, Shimōsa Province (present-day Chiba Prefecture), Nishimura was originally a Confucian scholar, but he studied rangaku as well. He supported the Tokugawa bakufu against the Meiji Restoration, but was so highly regarded that the new Meiji government recruited him to assist in the movement to educate the Japanese public on the western world. He was a founding member of the Meirokusha with Mori Arinori, and contributed numerous articles to the Meiroku Zasshi journal, on a wide range of topics, including on the relevance of ethics to government, a comparison of world government systems and world economic systems. Nishimura established his own intellectual society in 1876 to stress moral values. This became the Nihon Kodoka (Japan Society for Expansion of the Way), which proved to be a great success. The society promoted the belief that a reassertion of Japan's traditional moral values was necessary to strength Japan in the modern world. Nishimura believed that the Meiji government should serve a purpose to the people of Japan. He thought the government was superficial and should be rigid and clear in its laws. (In comparison to the Meiji government constantly changing their policies.) He was appointed to the House of Peers in 1890.
Yamamoto Kakuma (山本 覚馬; February 25, 1828 – December 28, 1892) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period, who went…Yamamoto Kakuma (山本 覚馬; February 25, 1828 – December 28, 1892) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period, who went on to become an educator and politician in the Meiji era.
Takeda Ayasaburō (武田 斐三郎; November 4, 1827 - January 28, 1880), was a Japanese Rangaku scholar, and the architect of…Takeda Ayasaburō (武田 斐三郎; November 4, 1827 - January 28, 1880), was a Japanese Rangaku scholar, and the architect of the fortress of Goryōkaku in Hokkaidō. Takeda was born in the Ōzu Domain (modern-day Ōzu, Ehime) in 1827. He studied medicine, Western sciences (rangaku), navigation, military architecture. He was a student of Ogata Kōan and Sakuma Shōzan. In 1854 he was ordered to the island of Hokkaidō to reinforce the military infrastructure. He built the fortresses of Goryōkaku and Benten Daiba between 1854 and 1866, using Dutch books on military architecture, and also established a school. He also practiced sailing with the Hakodate Maru, one of Japan's first Western-style sailing ship, together with his students. He sailed to Russia with the ship, and engaged in some exchanges.
Oguri Kozukenosuke (Oguri Tadamasa, 16 July 1827 – 27 May 1868) was a statesman of the Tokugawa government in the last…Oguri Kozukenosuke (Oguri Tadamasa, 16 July 1827 – 27 May 1868) was a statesman of the Tokugawa government in the last stage of the Edo period, and he is often regarded as a rival of Katsu Kaishu. At the time when the power of the Tokugawa government was diminishing, he took the posts of finance magistrate twice, and that of the foreign magistrate once. Also, he decided to construct the first arsenal in Japan (Yokosuka arsenal), and this decision contributed to the Meiji Restoration.
Senbon Hisanobu (13 July 1827 – 15 October 1885) was a Japanese politician of the early Meiji period who served as…Senbon Hisanobu (13 July 1827 – 15 October 1885) was a Japanese politician of the early Meiji period who served as governor of Hiroshima Prefecture from 15 to 27 November 1871.
Kawakami Tōgai, originally Hiroshi (Japanese:川上 冬崖; 22 July 1828, Nagano Prefecture - 3 May 1881, Atami) was a Japanese…Kawakami Tōgai, originally Hiroshi (Japanese:川上 冬崖; 22 July 1828, Nagano Prefecture - 3 May 1881, Atami) was a Japanese painter; one of the first to work in the yōga (Western) style.
Ankō Asato (安里 安恒, Asato Ankō; Azato Yasutsune in Japanese, 1827 – 1906) was a Ryūkyūan master of karate. He and Ankō…Ankō Asato (安里 安恒, Asato Ankō; Azato Yasutsune in Japanese, 1827 – 1906) was a Ryūkyūan master of karate. He and Ankō Itosu were the two main karate masters who taught Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate. Not much is known about him, and most information on him comes from Funakoshi. Many articles contain information about Asato, but the relevant parts are clearly based on Funakoshi's descriptions of him. Funakoshi first met Asato when he was a schoolmate of Asato's son; he called Asato "one of Okinawa's greatest experts in the art of karate." According to Funakoshi, Asato's family belonged to the Tunchi (殿内) class (hereditary town and village chiefs), and held authority in the village of Asato, halfway between Shuri and Naha, and he was not only a master of karate, but also skilled at riding horses, Jigen-ryū kendō (swordsmanship), archery, and an exceptional scholar. In a 1934 article, Funakoshi noted that Asato and Itosu had studied karate together under Sōkon Matsumura. He also related how Asato and Itosu once overcame a group of 20–30 attackers, and how Asato set a trap for troublemakers in his home village. In his 1956 autobiography, Funakoshi recounted several stories about Asato, including Asato's political astuteness in following the government order to cut off the traditional men's topknot; Asato's defeat of Yōrin Kanna, in which the unarmed Asato prevailed despite Kanna being armed with an unblunted blade; his demonstration of a single-point punch (ippon-ken); and Asato and Itosu's friendly arm-wrestling matches.
Ōshima Takatō (大島 高任, May 11, 1826–March 29, 1901) was a Japanese engineer who created the first reverberation blast…Ōshima Takatō (大島 高任, May 11, 1826–March 29, 1901) was a Japanese engineer who created the first reverberation blast furnace in Japan. Ōshima was born of samurai status in Morioka City, Nanbu Domain which is now Iwate Prefecture in 1826. Around this time, the feudal clans of Japan were competing to develop advanced Western-style guns. The government of Mito Domain hired Ōshima to make Western-style guns. In 1855, the first of two reverberation blast furnaces that he built in Mito was completed. This furnace was used to make four mortars over the next year. These mortars, however, failed due to the use of poor quality iron. Ōshima returned to Nanbu-han where he built a new Western-style blast furnace at Kamaishi to produce a higher quality pig iron from the local magnetite mined there. For this work he was assisted by an engineer on loan from the Satsuma Domain. They used a design from a Dutch book Het Gietwezen In's Rijks Ijzer-geschutgieterij Te Luik by Huguenin. Their efforts were rewarded with success on December 1, 1857 when they fired the new furnace for the first time. Returning to Mito the next year, Ōshima successfully produced three mortars and one cannon. In April, a large shipment of pig iron arrived from Kamaishi and he produced three more large cannons. After 1868, he helped in the development of Japan's mining operations.
Ōmura Masujirō (大村 益次郎; May 30, 1824 – December 7, 1869) was a Japanese military leader and theorist in Bakumatsu…Ōmura Masujirō (大村 益次郎; May 30, 1824 – December 7, 1869) was a Japanese military leader and theorist in Bakumatsu period Japan. He was the "Father" of the Imperial Japanese Army, launching a modern military force closely patterned after the French system of the day.
Akizuki Teijirō (秋月 悌次郎; 1824 – January 5, 1900) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period, who served the…Akizuki Teijirō (秋月 悌次郎; 1824 – January 5, 1900) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period, who served the Matsudaira clan of Aizu. Born in Aizuwakamatsu, Akizuki was recognized early as a skilled scholar, and he studied at the Tokugawa Shogunate's Shoheizaka school in Edo. He served as an advisor to Matsudaira Katamori, and was present for most of the latter's tenure as Kyoto Shugoshoku from 1862 to 1867. Akizuki was a senior commander of Aizu forces during the Boshin War. After the war, he became an educator, and worked in high schools in Kyushu. Later in his life, he was a colleague of Lafcadio Hearn, who referred to him in his writings.
Shimooka Renjō (下岡 蓮杖; March 24, 1823 – March 3, 1914) was a Japanese photographer and was one of the first…Shimooka Renjō (下岡 蓮杖; March 24, 1823 – March 3, 1914) was a Japanese photographer and was one of the first professional photographers in Japan. He opened the first commercial photography studio in Yokohama, and in Japan he is widely considered the father of Japanese photography.
Count Sano Tsunetami (佐野 常民; 28 December 1822 – 12 December 1902) was a Japanese statesman and founder of the Japanese…Count Sano Tsunetami (佐野 常民; 28 December 1822 – 12 December 1902) was a Japanese statesman and founder of the Japanese Red Cross Society. His son, Admiral Sano Tsuneha, was a leading figure in the establishment of the Scout Association of Japan.
Unryū Kyūkichi (Japanese: 雲龍 久吉; 1822 – June 15, 1890; name also read as Unryū Hisakichi) was a Japanese sumo wrestler…Unryū Kyūkichi (Japanese: 雲龍 久吉; 1822 – June 15, 1890; name also read as Unryū Hisakichi) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Yanagawa, Chikugo Province. He was the sport's 10th yokozuna. Although the name of the style of the yokozuna 's in-ring ceremony is named after him, the fact that he himself practiced this style is highly debated.
Ogino Dokuon (荻野 独園; 1819–1895) was a Rinzai rōshi remembered for his daring resistance to religious oppression…Ogino Dokuon (荻野 独園; 1819–1895) was a Rinzai rōshi remembered for his daring resistance to religious oppression directed toward Buddhists during the late Tokugawa period and Meiji period of Japan.
Kawatake Mokuami (河竹 黙阿弥; Japanese pronunciation: [ka.wa(ꜜ).ta.ke (|) mo.kɯ.a.mʲi, ka.wa.ta.ke mo.kɯꜜ.a.mʲi], 1 March…Kawatake Mokuami (河竹 黙阿弥; Japanese pronunciation: [ka.wa(ꜜ).ta.ke (|) mo.kɯ.a.mʲi, ka.wa.ta.ke mo.kɯꜜ.a.mʲi], 1 March 1816 – 22 January 1893), born Yoshimura Yoshisaburō (吉村 芳三郎) was a Japanese dramatist of Kabuki. It has been said that "as a writer of plays of Kabuki origin, he was one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Japan has ever known". He wrote 150 or so plays over the course of his 58-year career, covering a wide variety of themes, styles, and forms, including short dance pieces, period plays (jidaimono), contemporary genre pieces (sewamono), tragedies and comedies, as well as adaptations of foreign (Western) stories, though he is perhaps most famous for his shiranamimono, plays featuring sympathetic or tragic rogues and thieves. For the greater part of his career he wrote under the professional name Kawatake Shinshichi, only taking the name Mokuami on his retirement from the stage in 1881.
Koyata Katsugorō (Japanese: 小谷田 勝五郎; 1815–1869) was a Japanese farmer who claimed to be able to recall one of his past…Koyata Katsugorō (Japanese: 小谷田 勝五郎; 1815–1869) was a Japanese farmer who claimed to be able to recall one of his past lives. He was studied by the kokugaku scholar Hirata Atsutane in the course of his research into the afterlife.
Suzuki Katsuzaemon Shigetane (Japanese: 鈴木 勝左衛門 重胤; 1812-1863) was a Japanese kokugakusha and historian. His kokugaku…Suzuki Katsuzaemon Shigetane (Japanese: 鈴木 勝左衛門 重胤; 1812-1863) was a Japanese kokugakusha and historian. His kokugaku pen name was Kashinoya (橿廼家; transl. "house of the oak").
Hidenoyama Raigorō (秀ノ山 雷五郎; 1808 – June 16, 1862) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Kesennuma, Mutsu Province. He was…Hidenoyama Raigorō (秀ノ山 雷五郎; 1808 – June 16, 1862) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Kesennuma, Mutsu Province. He was the sport's 9th yokozuna.
Shiranui Dakuemon (Japanese: 不知火 諾右衛門; October 1801 – August 20, 1854, name also read as Shiranui Nagiemon) was a…Shiranui Dakuemon (Japanese: 不知火 諾右衛門; October 1801 – August 20, 1854, name also read as Shiranui Nagiemon) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Uto, Higo Province. He was the sport's 8th yokozuna, and is the only yokozuna in history to have been demoted.
Hisashige Tanaka (田中 久重; October 16, 1799 – November 7, 1881) was a Japanese businessman, inventor, mechanical…Hisashige Tanaka (田中 久重; October 16, 1799 – November 7, 1881) was a Japanese businessman, inventor, mechanical engineer, and rangaku scholar who was prominent during the Bakumatsu and early Meiji period in Japan. In 1875, he founded what became the Toshiba Corporation. He has been called the "Thomas Edison of Japan" or "Karakuri Giemon."
Inazuma Raigorō (Japanese: 稲妻 雷五郎; 1802 – March 29, 1877) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Awazaki, Hitachi Province…Inazuma Raigorō (Japanese: 稲妻 雷五郎; 1802 – March 29, 1877) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Awazaki, Hitachi Province (now Inashiki, Ibaraki Prefecture). He was the sport's 7th yokozuna.
Sendagawa Kichizō (Japanese: 千田川 吉藏; born Kumakichi Mera (目良 熊吉, Mera Kumakichi), 1793 – January 8, 1828) was a…Sendagawa Kichizō (Japanese: 千田川 吉藏; born Kumakichi Mera (目良 熊吉, Mera Kumakichi), 1793 – January 8, 1828) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Muro District, Kii Province (now Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture). His highest rank was ōzeki. As of March 1815 he is the only wrestler from Wakayama Prefecture to have been promoted to sumo's second highest rank.
Tamagaki Gakunosuke IV (1784 – August 29, 1824) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Minamitakaki, Nagasaki, Japan. His…Tamagaki Gakunosuke IV (1784 – August 29, 1824) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Minamitakaki, Nagasaki, Japan. His highest rank was ōzeki.
Rai San'yō (Japanese: 頼 山陽; 21 January 1780, Aki Province – 16 October 1832, Kyoto) was a Japanese Confucianist…Rai San'yō (Japanese: 頼 山陽; 21 January 1780, Aki Province – 16 October 1832, Kyoto) was a Japanese Confucianist philosopher, historian, artist and poet of the later Edo period. His true name was Rai Noboru.
Kume Eizaemon Michikata (Japanese: 久米 榮左衛門 通賢; 1780–1841) was a Japanese civil engineer, inventor, gunsmith, and…Kume Eizaemon Michikata (Japanese: 久米 榮左衛門 通賢; 1780–1841) was a Japanese civil engineer, inventor, gunsmith, and scholar of rangaku.
Tanomura Chikuden (田能村 竹田; Japanese pronunciation: [tɕi̥.kɯꜜ.deɴ], July 14, 1777 – October 20, 1835) was an artist and…Tanomura Chikuden (田能村 竹田; Japanese pronunciation: [tɕi̥.kɯꜜ.deɴ], July 14, 1777 – October 20, 1835) was an artist and Confucian scholar of Edo period Japan.
Hiodoshi Katsugorō (Japanese: 緋縅 勝五郎; born Moriwaki (森脇), 1773 – February 22, 1830) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from…Hiodoshi Katsugorō (Japanese: 緋縅 勝五郎; born Moriwaki (森脇), 1773 – February 22, 1830) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Yamagata District, Aki Province (now Kitahiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture). His highest rank was ōzeki. He is the first wrestler from Hiroshima Prefecture to have been promoted to sumo's second highest rank, and the only one until the promotion of Akinoumi in 1941, 127 years later.
Takadaya Kahei (高田屋 嘉兵衛) was a Japanese merchant credited with transforming the trading outpost of Hakodate in Japan's…Takadaya Kahei (高田屋 嘉兵衛) was a Japanese merchant credited with transforming the trading outpost of Hakodate in Japan's northern island of Hokkaidō into a thriving city. He is also recognised for opening the northern Etorofu sea route to the Kuril island fisheries and helping settle territorial disputes with Russia over the islands. Takadaya Kahei was born to a farming family, but left his birthplace when was 13, to work in Kobe as a sailor. He earned sufficient money to purchase his own Kitamaebune trading ship and sailed to Hakodate in the summer of 1796. He set up a business in the town, which at the time was a small trading outpost. He is reputed to have made a fortune through trade by importing sake, salt, rice and other staples to Ezochi (the Japanese area of Hokkaidō) and exporting herring, salmon and kelp to Honshū. He later developed trading routes to the Kuril Islands and operated many fisheries around Nemuro, a town on Hokkaidō's east coast. Takadaya is also known for his services in developing Hakodate. He repaired streets, cultivated the land and forested trees for lumber. After a destructive fire in 1806 he provided food, clothing and new housing for victims of the disaster. He also paid for workmen from Osaka to sink new wells and donated water pumps for fire fighting. He acquired a status as one of the most famous merchants in the era for his role in the Golovnin Incident. In 1812, during a dispute over the Kuril Island territorial waters, Takadaya Kahei was captured by Petr Rikord, captain of the Russian navy sloop in retaliation for the Japanese capture of explorer Vasily Golovnin. Along with his four sailors who were also captured on board the Kanze-maru, Takadaya was confined to Kamchatka for several months, his release finally secured through diplomacy. During his imprisonment he learned the Russian language and later worked with Vasily Golovnin to settle the Kuril Islands territorial border between the two countries. At the age of 50, Takadaya returned to his birthplace of Awaji Island. He died in 1827. A festival is held in Hakodate every year in late July to commemorate Takadaya Kahei.
Santō Kyōden (山東 京伝; Japanese pronunciation: [san.toː (|) kʲo(ꜜ)ː.deɴ], 13 September 1761 Edo – 27 October 1816) was a…Santō Kyōden (山東 京伝; Japanese pronunciation: [san.toː (|) kʲo(ꜜ)ː.deɴ], 13 September 1761 Edo – 27 October 1816) was a Japanese artist, writer, and the owner of a tobacco shop during the Edo period. His real name was Iwase Samuru (岩瀬 醒), and he was also known popularly as Kyōya Denzō (京屋 伝蔵). He began his professional career illustrating the works of others before writing his own Kibyōshi and Sharebon, which marked his importance in the history of manga. Within his works, Kyōden often included references to his shop to increase sales. Kyōden's works were affected by the shifting publication laws of the Kansei Reforms, which aimed to punish writers and their publishers for writings related to the Yoshiwara and other things that were deemed to be "harmful to society" at the time by the Tokugawa Bakufu. As a result of his punishment in 1791, Kyōden shifted his writings to the more didactic Yomihon. During the 1790s, Santō Kyōden became a household name, and one of his works could sell as many as 10,000 copies, numbers that were previously unheard of for the time.
Miyagino Nishikinosuke (宮城野 錦之助, 1744 – July 18, 1798) was a Japanese sumo wrestler. His highest rank was sekiwake. He…Miyagino Nishikinosuke (宮城野 錦之助, 1744 – July 18, 1798) was a Japanese sumo wrestler. His highest rank was sekiwake. He was an active top makuuchi division wrestler at the age of 52, which is the all-time recognized record.
Maruyama Ōkyo (円山 応挙; Japanese pronunciation: [ma.ɾɯ.ja.ma (|) oꜜː.kʲo, ma.ɾɯ.ja.ma (|) oː.kʲo], June 12, 1733 – August…Maruyama Ōkyo (円山 応挙; Japanese pronunciation: [ma.ɾɯ.ja.ma (|) oꜜː.kʲo, ma.ɾɯ.ja.ma (|) oː.kʲo], June 12, 1733 – August 31, 1795), born Maruyama Masataka, was a Japanese artist active in the late 18th century. He moved to Kyoto, during which he studied artworks from Chinese, Japanese and Western sources. A personal style of Western naturalism mixed with Eastern decorative design emerged, and Ōkyo founded the Maruyama school of painting. Although many of his fellow artists criticized his work as too slavishly devoted to natural representation, it proved a success with laypeople.
Maruyama Gondazaemon (Japanese: 丸山 権太左衛門; December 23, 1713 – November 14, 1749) was a Japanese sumo wrestler, who is…Maruyama Gondazaemon (Japanese: 丸山 権太左衛門; December 23, 1713 – November 14, 1749) was a Japanese sumo wrestler, who is formally recognised as the third yokozuna. His real name was Haga Gindayu (芳賀 銀太夫). He came from Mutsu Province in the Sendai Domain (part of what is now Miyagi Prefecture).
Tanikawa Kotosuga (谷川 士清; April 5, 1709 – November 20, 1776) was a Japanese kokugaku scholar and author in mid-Edo…Tanikawa Kotosuga (谷川 士清; April 5, 1709 – November 20, 1776) was a Japanese kokugaku scholar and author in mid-Edo period Japan. He also used the epistolary name of “Tansai”.
Aoki Konyō (青木昆陽; June 19, 1698 – November 9, 1769) was a Confucian scholar, minor hatamoto and pioneer rangaku scholar…Aoki Konyō (青木昆陽; June 19, 1698 – November 9, 1769) was a Confucian scholar, minor hatamoto and pioneer rangaku scholar in early Edo period Japan. He is also credited with introducing the cultivation of sweet potato to many parts of Japan.
Hattori Ransetsu (1654–1707) was an Edo samurai who became a haikai poet under the guidance of Matsuo Bashō. R. H.…Hattori Ransetsu (1654–1707) was an Edo samurai who became a haikai poet under the guidance of Matsuo Bashō. R. H. Blyth considered Ransetsu to be Bashō's most representative follower.
Cornelia van Nijenroode (c. 1629 – c. 1692) was a Dutch merchant in the Dutch East Indies, famous for her conflict with…Cornelia van Nijenroode (c. 1629 – c. 1692) was a Dutch merchant in the Dutch East Indies, famous for her conflict with her second husband.
Tokugawa Mitsukuni (徳川 光圀; Japanese pronunciation: [to.kɯꜜ.ɡa.wa | mʲi.tsɯ̥.kɯꜜ.ɲi, -kɯ.ɡa.wa mʲi.tsɯ̥.kɯꜜ-, -ŋa.wa-]…Tokugawa Mitsukuni (徳川 光圀; Japanese pronunciation: [to.kɯꜜ.ɡa.wa | mʲi.tsɯ̥.kɯꜜ.ɲi, -kɯ.ɡa.wa mʲi.tsɯ̥.kɯꜜ-, -ŋa.wa-], 11 July 1628 – 14 January 1701), also known as Mito Kōmon (水戸黄門; [mʲi.to (|) koː.moɴ]), was a Japanese daimyo who was known for his influence in the politics of the early Edo period. He was the third son of Tokugawa Yorifusa (who in turn was the eleventh son of Tokugawa Ieyasu) and succeeded him, becoming the second daimyo of the Mito Domain.
Magdalene of Nagasaki (長崎のマグダレナ, Nagasaki no Magudarena) (1611 – October 15, 1634) was a Japanese Christian who served…Magdalene of Nagasaki (長崎のマグダレナ, Nagasaki no Magudarena) (1611 – October 15, 1634) was a Japanese Christian who served as a translator and catechist for the Augustine Recollect missionaries. She became a tertiary of the Order of Augustinian Recollects.
Peter Kasui Kibe, SJ (Japanese: ペトロ・カスイ岐部, romanized: Petoro Kasui Kibe; born Kibe Shigekatsu, 岐部 茂勝; 1587 – 4 July…Peter Kasui Kibe, SJ (Japanese: ペトロ・カスイ岐部, romanized: Petoro Kasui Kibe; born Kibe Shigekatsu, 岐部 茂勝; 1587 – 4 July 1639) was a Jesuit who was one of the first Japanese people to visit major cities west of his native Japan, such as Rome and Jerusalem. He was killed in 1639 and beatified as a martyr in 2008.
Lady Kasuga (春日局, Kasuga no Tsubone; 1579 – October 26, 1643) was a Japanese noble lady and politician from a prominent…Lady Kasuga (春日局, Kasuga no Tsubone; 1579 – October 26, 1643) was a Japanese noble lady and politician from a prominent Japanese samurai family of the Azuchi–Momoyama and Edo periods. Born Saitō Fuku (斉藤福), she was a daughter of Saitō Toshimitsu (who was a retainer of Akechi Mitsuhide). She was the wet nurse of the third Tokugawa shōgun Iemitsu. Lady Kasuga was one of the best politicians in the Edo period. She stood in front of negotiations with the Imperial Court and contributed to the stabilization of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Kasuga was one of the most powerful figures in the Ōoku (the quarters in Edo Castle where the women related to the Shogun family resided) . She is counted alongside Matsudaira Nobutsuna and Yagyu Muneyori as one of the Three Tripod Legs, who supported and propped up Iemitsu.
Sebastian Kimura (1565 – 10 September 1622) was a Japanese Catholic priest and member of the Society of Jesus. He was…Sebastian Kimura (1565 – 10 September 1622) was a Japanese Catholic priest and member of the Society of Jesus. He was among the 55 people killed during the Great Genna Martyrdom and subsequently beatified.
Lady Saigō (西郷局 or 西郷の局 Saigō no Tsubone; 1552 – 1 July 1589), also known as Oai, was one of the concubines of Tokugawa…Lady Saigō (西郷局 or 西郷の局 Saigō no Tsubone; 1552 – 1 July 1589), also known as Oai, was one of the concubines of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the samurai lord who unified Japan at the end of the sixteenth century and then ruled as shōgun. She was also the mother of the second Tokugawa shōgun, Tokugawa Hidetada. Her contributions were considered so significant that she was posthumously inducted to the Senior First Rank of the Imperial Court, the highest honor that could be conferred by the Emperor of Japan. During their relationship, Lady Saigō influenced Ieyasu's philosophies, choice of allies, and policies as he rose to power during the late Sengoku period, and she thus had an indirect effect on the organization and composition of the Tokugawa shogunate. Although less is known of her than some other figures of the era, she is generally regarded as the "power behind the throne", and her life has been compared to a "Cinderella story" of feudal Japan. Once she was in a respected and secure position as the official concubine and mother to Ieyasu's heir, Lady Saigō used her influence and wealth for charitable purposes. A devout Buddhist, she donated money to temples in Suruga Province, where she resided as the consort of Ieyasu, first in Hamamatsu Castle and later in Sunpu Castle. As she was quite near-sighted, she also established a charitable organization that assisted visually impaired women with no other means of support. Lady Saigō died at a fairly young age, under somewhat mysterious circumstances. Although murder was suspected, no culprit was identified. Lady Saigō bore four children: she had a son and a daughter (Saigō Katsutada and Tokuhime) while married, and she later bore two sons as the consort of Tokugawa Ieyasu: Tokugawa Hidetada and Matsudaira Tadayoshi. Among the descendants of Lady Saigō was the Empress Meishō (1624–1696), one of very few women to accede to the Chrysanthemum Throne as empress regnant.
