Kichizaemon Ugai

Background

Kichizaemon Ugai was born in 1798 in Japan.

Career

Kichizaemon Ugai was originally a retainer of the Mito Clan with offices in Kyoto, from where he kept in touch with Loyalists and courtiers to protect the Imperial Court.

At that time relations between the Mito Clan and the courtiers of the Imperial Palace were very close, which led indirectly to the Meiji Restoration (1868). When Commodore Perry landed in Japan, followed by American Consul Townsend Harris (1856), the political situation became tense and Kichizuemon supported the courtiers in opposing a treaty with the Americans. Prime Minister of the Shagumnte, however, signed the treaty without Imperial sanction. Shortly afterward a new dispute earns to who should succeed to the rank of Skagun. Naosuke named Yoshitomi Tokugawa of Kii Clan the successor rejection Yoshinobu Hitotsubashi of the Mito Clan. A result those who opposed the Japanese-American treaty and who supported the candidate from the Mito Clan began plotting. By way of attaining their object they asked Emperor Komei to send an Imperial decree to Mito Clan to resist Naosuke. Kichizaemon was ordered to deliver this message, but as he was not well, he entrusted the task to his son, Kokichi. Soon after Ansei-no-Tasgaku Kichizaemon was arrested and to death for his connection with the imperial message.

He was also a poet. His anthology is titled Koer-no-koe (Croaking of a Frog).

Connections

Son:

Kokichi Ugai