Michitsune Koga

Koga Michitsune was a courtier of the late Edo period and a noble, politician, and Marquis in the Meiji and Taisho eras. He served as a member of the House of Peers, a member of the Privy Council, an advisor to the Imperial Court, the President of the Religious Court, and Governor of Tokyo, among other official positions. As a connoisseur, he was well-versed in waka poetry, calligraphy, Noh theater, and lyrics.

His life began in Kyoto Prefecture. His father was Naidaijin Koga Takemichi, and his mother was a daughter of Goto Gonchu, Matsushima. He was awarded the Junior Fifth Rank Lower Grade in the first year of Kaei (1848), gradually rising through the ranks thereafter. In 1849 (Kaei 2), he was promoted to the Fifth Rank Upper Grade; in 1850 (Kaei 3), to the Fourth Rank Lower Grade; in 1851 (Kaei 4), to the Fourth Rank Upper Grade; and in 1852 (Kaei 5), to the Junior Fourth Rank and served as an Chamberlain. In 1853 (Kaei 6), he was elevated to the Fourth Rank Lower Grade. During the Ansei period, he was promoted to the Junior Colonel of the Guard, then to the Middle Colonel of the Right Guard, and advanced to the third rank and then the third rank senior in 1858 and 1859, respectively.

During the Ansei years, he participated in imperial journeys, and in 1857 (Ansei 4), he was appointed Middle Colonel of the Right Guard. In 1859 (Ansei 6), he advanced to the third rank senior. In 1860 (Man'en 1), he was appointed as a senior otogishu. In 1867 (Keio 3), he became a provisional chuunagon (middle counselor).

During the Meiji Restoration, he participated in the new government. In January of 1868 (Meiji 1), he was involved in government affairs, and in February he was appointed Acting Daijō Daijin (Chancellor of the Realm) and Governor of Yamato Province. The following year, in March 1869 (Meiji 2), he arrived in Sendai to oversee the domain's affairs. In July of that year, he was promoted to Major General of the Army, and in November, he was appointed as a Junior Minister of the Army. Subsequently, he held various positions including member of the Privy Council.

In 1884 (Meiji 17), he was elevated to Marquis, and in 1890 he became a member of the House of Peers. The same year, he was appointed as a Chamberlain (Musketeer) of the Imperial Court. He continued to hold positions such as Imperial Court Advisor, Governor of Tokyo Prefecture, and President of the Religious Court. On June 29, 1903, he was awarded First Rank. In 1908, he was again appointed as Musketeer.

He retired on October 7, 1921 (Taisho 10), losing his titles as Marquis and as a member of the House of Peers. He died on January 10, 1925, at the age of 84.

Regarding his court ranks, he was promoted to First Rank on June 29, 1903. He was elevated to Marquis on July 7, 1884.

Family background: he was from the Koga family based in Kyoto Prefecture and Shinjuku, Tokyo, in Ushigome-Shinko-cho. His father was Koga Takemichi, a court noble (born 1815, died 1903). His first wife was Toshiko, daughter of Ōtani Mitsukatsu. His second wife was Toshiko’s sister, Sumiko. His third wife was Chiyo, daughter of Arima Yoshihisa, lord of the Kurume Domain.

He had children including an illegitimate son, Tsunemichi (born 1873, died 1950), with his mother being the eldest daughter of Nakamura Chōshichi, named Manako; and daughters who married prominent figures: Gako (married Odani Katsumichi), Fuku (married Sonogaki Kensuke), Setsuko (married Matsuura Yasushi), and Shizuko (married Tsumori Kuniei). His illegitimate sons included Tsutomo (1878–1937), Toshiharu (1891–), and grandchildren such as Tsukan (1903–1982), Tsuhide (1907–1976), and Tsutoshi (born 1913).

As references, see "History of the Parliamentary System - Directory of Members of the House of Peers and the House of Representatives" (Ministry of Finance Printing Bureau, 1990).