Kagemoto Toyama

Background

Kagemoto Toyama was born on September 27, 1793 in Japan. His ancestry was of the Minamoto clan of Mino Province. His father, Kagemichi, was the magistrate of Nagasaki.

Education

During his youth, Kagemoto left his household due to family conflict and lived among commoners as vagabond.

Career

Kagemoto held the posts of Finance Magistrate, North Magistrate, and subsequently the South Magistrate of Edo. (The magistrates of Edo acted as chiefs of the police and fire departments and as judges in criminal and civil matters.)

When Tokugawa Shogunate instituted Tenpo Reforms, South Magistrate Torii Yōzō and Rōjū Mizuno Tadakuni tried to enforce sumptuary edicts banning theatre and other popular entertainments. Kagemoto consistently opposed the implementation of the policy which he believed it to be undue infringement on the livelihood of commoners.

In 1843, he was ousted from his position as North Magistrate through the machinations of Torii, and although nominally appointed Ōmetsuke, was out of power. Two years later, when Mizuno ousted Torii, Tōyama received an appointment as South Magistrate, a post once held by Ōoka Tadasuke.

Connections

Father:

Kagemichi