Kuki Takanobu

Takano Kukki (Kuki Takano), was a daimyo during the mid-Edo period, serving as the 4th lord of the Tamba Province Ayabe Domain. There are no detailed records of his birthday or place of birth, but it is believed that he was born as the third son of Hyōda Domain ruler Konobe Masamichi of Harima Province.

Regarding his family, his father was Konobe Masamichi (1674–1757), and his mother was the daughter of Kawano Michimasa. His adoptive father was Kuki Takanao (1687–1752). His formal wife was the daughter of Kuroda Naokuni, and they had several children together.

Takano Kukki became the adopted heir of the previous lord, Kuki Takanao, in the second year of Shōtoku (1712). On January 30, the following year, he inherited the family headship. In 1715 (the fifth year of Shōtoku), he established the Shindoku-kan domain school. During the Kyoho era, in response to natural disasters and the resulting upheavals in domain administration, he implemented reforms including the issuance of domain currency, the introduction of a rice payment system, and the levying of special funds.

During his governance, he undertook various administrative reforms to stabilize the domain. However, due to family circumstances, he ceded the family headship to his eldest son, Kuki Takasada, on March 8, 1766 (the third year of Meiwa), and retired. Even after relinquishing the headship, it is believed that Kukki remained involved in the management of the domain until his death.

He died on May 23, 1786 (the sixth year of Tenmei) at the age of 87. His posthumous name was Kyūō Ryūzan Taisetsuin.

Kukki’s brother was Kuki Ryūbi (1727–1820), who succeeded as heir and maintained the family line through the late Edo period. His brother, Kuki Ryūyuki (1718–1744), and his adopted son, Kuki Ryūgi (details of birth and death unknown), also continued the family lineage.

His children included his eldest son, Kuki Takayasu (1724–1758); second son, Kuki Ryūyuki (1718–1744); third son, Kuki Ryūbi; fourth son, Kuki Takasada (1729–1781); fifth son, Kuki Takokasu; as well as daughters who married into other families—his daughter by the wife of Naoyuki Nagai, his daughter by the wife of Yorihisa Suwa, and by the wife of Takanari Hanabo. He also had an adopted son, Kuki Ryūei (1715–1746).

Reference material: ‘Kansei Chūshū Shokakezai’ Vol. 952.