Shimazu Uzuhiko

Shimazu Uzuhiko (born October 22, 1844 – June 16, 1910) was a samurai and politician of the Satsuma Domain during the late Edo and Meiji periods in Japan. He held the peerage title of Baronet, was awarded the Court rank of Junior Third Rank, and was conferred the order of the Order of the Sacred Treasure Third Class.

Birth and Family Background

He was born in Satsuma Province as the fourth son of Shimazu Hisamitsu, the head of the Satsuma Domain. His mother was the official wife, Senba. Among his siblings was the posthumous younger brother of Shimazu Shigehisa (Tadahisa), the last lord of Satsuma, thus making him a grandson of the Shimazu family lineage.

Names and Commonly Used Names

His personal name was originally Kihiro, later changed to Tadaaki, and ultimately renamed Uzuhiko. His common names included Keishiro, Mataniro, Suou, Hitachi, and Bingo, with these changing over time. The name "Uzuhiko" is derived from the deity Shiinezu-hiko from Japanese myth and legend.

Territories and Positions

After his father Hisamitsu was restored to the head of the Shimazu main family, he inherited Shigezumi in Osumi Province and succeeded the Shigezumi Shimazu family. Later, he took the name Tadaaki, and subsequently Uzuhiko.

Military Service and Public Office

He participated in the Kinmon Incident (near Kyoto) in 1864. He also participated in the Battle of Toba–Fushimi and the Boshin War during the Meiji Restoration. In the Meiji Era, he served as chief priest of the Shōkoku Shrine and as director of the Satsuma Prefectural Middle School "Soshi-kan".

Political Activities

In 1890 (Meiji 23), he was appointed as a hereditary peerage member of the House of Peers responsible for large taxpayers. In 1897 (Meiji 30), he was elected as a Baronet member of the House of Peers.

Death

He died in 1910 (Meiji 43) due to diabetes.

Honors and Decorations

On March 2, 1889, he was awarded the peerage of Baron. On March 5 of the same year, he was promoted to the fifth rank of the Court hierarchy (Go-i). He later received the ranks of Senior Fifth (1895), Junior Fourth (1896), Senior Fourth (1902), the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class with Paulownia Flowers (1906), and in 1909, he was awarded a sacred sake cup. He was ultimately awarded the third rank of the Court hierarchy (Junior Third) and the Third Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure.

Family and Relatives

His wife was Noriko, the fourth daughter of Shimazu Hisamitsu, lord of Satsuma. Their children included the eldest daughter Akiko, the second daughter Haruko, the eldest son Shimazu Sōnosuke, the second son Hisao, and Takako.

- Their eldest daughter, Akiko, married Shimazu Hisahiro, then remarried Yugo Shimazu (son of his brother Tadakitaka).

- Their eldest son, Sōnosuke, inherited the Shimazu estate and the peerage of Baron.

- Their second daughter, Haruko, married Baron Nagamaru Shimazu and served as the chief lady-in-waiting of the Imperial Court.

- Their daughter Takako married Koyaita Iwasaki, founder of Mitsubishi, establishing familial ties with the Mitsubishi conglomerate.

Notes

References include "Heisei Shinso Koshoku Kakei Taisei" (a comprehensive genealogical record of the new and old noble families of the Heisei era) and "The History of Parliamentary Systems - Directory of the Peers and Senators."