Background
Ryuichi Kuki was born on September 12, 1852 in Settsu, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. His original family name: Hoshizaki. Ryuichi Kuki was adopted by Takachika Kuki, a Minister of the former Ayabe Clan in Kyoto Prefecture.
Ryuichi Kuki was born on September 12, 1852 in Settsu, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. His original family name: Hoshizaki. Ryuichi Kuki was adopted by Takachika Kuki, a Minister of the former Ayabe Clan in Kyoto Prefecture.
Ryuichi Kuki studied under Yukichi Fukuzawa and Komin Kawamoto at Keio Gijuku (predecessor of Keio University).
After the graduation, Ryuichi Kuki took a post in the Japanese Ministry of Education, specializing in cultural policy. He was sent to Europe for further studies (1873). Upon return from Europe Ryuichi Kuki was appointed senior secretary in Ministry of Education. In 1884, he was appointed Japanese ambassador to the United States. Complications in his career arose when his wife Hatsu had an affair with Okakura Kakuzo. In 1888, he eventually returned to Japan where he continued to work in the Ministry of Education, and play a role as a patron of the arts, as he became chief librarian to Imperial Household, councilor and then Chief of Imperial Museum.
When the Diet was founded, Kuki Ryuichi became member of House of Peers (1890). He was a member of Privy Council (1895).