Chuji Kunisada

Background

Chuji Kunisada was born in 1810 in Kunisada Village in Kozuke Province, Gumma Prefecture. He was the son of a humble farmer named Goemon.

Career

By the age of 25 Chuji Kunisada had come to be regarded as the foremost gambling boss in Kanto district, and among his henchmen were such characters as Enzo Nikko, Tamigoro Sanno and Asaji Takei. He often took the law into his own hands to punish the wicked and the dishonest, and because of this he often had to go into hiding at Mount Akagi to escape arrest. He was, however, taken captive when found bedridden with paralysis at his mistress’ house and executed for his depredations against the property of Gunhe Matsui, a notoriously harsh magistrate of Kozuke Province.

Achievements

• Chuji Kunisada is depicted on a 1999 Japanese stamp.

Personality

In spite of his profession, Chuji Kunisada was a man of great character, known for his chivalry, kindness toward the poor and his efforts to facilitate irrigation works using his own money.