Naoakira Nabeshima

Nabeshima Naoakira was born in Saga, Hizen Province, on January 26, 1870 (December 25, Meiji 2), and died on November 19, 1937. He was a Japanese Army officer, politician, and member of the kazoku (peerage). He held the rank of Major General in the Army, was awarded the third court rank (Shōsan mi), the Second Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, and was a baron (danshaku) with the Fourth Class of merit, serving as a member of the House of Peers. His brother was Vice Admiral Shigeaki Nabeshima.

His family background is from the Fukabori Nabeshima family; he was the second son of Nabeshima Shigezane (Sonroku). His precise birthplace in childhood was Saga, Hizen Province. He graduated from the Army Cadet School (3rd class) in 1892 (Meiji 25), and in 1893 (Meiji 26), was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the cavalry.

In 1895 (Meiji 28), he married the eldest daughter of Nabeshima Naezuki of the Shiraishi Nabeshima family, a cadet branch of the clan, and inherited the family headship. He was awarded the fifth court rank (go-yo), and earlier, in 1893 (Meiji 26), received the eighth rank (hachii), followed by the seventh rank (shichii) in 1896 (Meiji 29). In 1906 (Meiji 39), he was decorated with the Fifth Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure and the Fourth Class of the Order of the Rising Sun (small collar).

His military career included serving as a platoon leader in the Guard Cavalry Regiment, an aide to Prince Kuni, and in 1914 (Taisho 3), he was appointed commander of the 6th Cavalry Regiment. In August 1916 (Taisho 5), he was promoted to colonel of the Imperial Japanese Cavalry and became an aide to Prince Tokusada Takeda. On July 25, 1919 (Taisho 8), he was promoted to Major General and was placed in the reserve on the same day.

In politics, he served as a baron (danshaku) member of the House of Peers from September 1922 (Taisho 11) until his death. His political affiliation was with the Progressive Party.

He received numerous honors throughout his life, including the eighth rank (hachii) on May 10, 1893 (Meiji 26), the seventh rank (shichii) on July 20, 1896 (Meiji 29), the fifth rank (go-yo) on December 11, 1903 (Meiji 36), the fourth rank (yon-yo) on December 27, 1910 (Meiji 43), and the Third Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure on April 24, 1915 (Taisho 4). He was elevated to the fourth court rank (Shōshi-i) on January 10, 1919 (Taisho 8).

His family included his wife, Nabeshima Naoe (daughter of Nabeshima Naezuki), his eldest son Nabeshima Nao taka, his second daughter Yasuko, who was the founder of the prestigious Shoto Kindergarten, and his eldest daughter Junko, who served as the chief lady-in-waiting to Empress Michiko during her childhood. His second son was Nabeshima Nao yasu, and his eldest son, Nobukuni Makino, was vice-president of Nitto Chemical Industries.

His final resting place is at Tama Reien in Tokyo. His family headship was succeeded by his nephew, Nabeshima Nao taka.