Ashida Shikanosuke

Kashinosuke Ashida (born August 7, 1857 (Keiō 4, June 18) – April 30, 1928 (Shōwa 3)) was a landowner, banker, and politician in Japan during the Meiji to Taisho periods. He was born in Miyamura, Tamba Province (currently Miyamura area of Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture) and was the eldest son of Jizaemon Ashida. His alias was Kōgetsu.

Career

His birthplace was Miyamura in Tamba Province. He studied under Kōzai Kanchō of Ayabe Domain and under Hiroshige Sawai, and learned at the Kyōbe Domain's local school, Kōhondō. Subsequently, he traveled and studied at the Keihan region.

In March 1875 (Miki 8), he was appointed to serve in Miyamura, Tamba District, Toyooka Prefecture. When Tamba District was incorporated into Kyoto Prefecture in 1876 (Miki 9), in October of the same year, he became deputy ward chief of the first section of Tamba District and a district school inspector. He also served as head of Miyamura village, head of four villages including Tano village, and as an income tax survey commissioner, among other roles.

In May 1889 (Meiji 22), he became the first mayor of Nakurokuminomura village. He also served as union head for eleven villages outside Fukuchiyama Town and as chairman of the Kyoto Prefectural Education Association's Tamba District division.

Political Activities

Ashida joined the Rikken Kaishintō (Constitutional Reform Party) and participated in the Freedom and People's Rights Movement. After the party was reorganized, he joined the Jiyūtō (Liberal Party).

He was elected to the Kyoto Prefectural Assembly in March 1887 (Meiji 20) and served four terms in total until resigning in September 1903 (Meiji 36). In 1899 (Meiji 32), he was elected as a member of the Tamba District assembly and served as chairman until 1903.

In national elections, he ran for the House of Representatives from the Kyoto district in the 9th general election and was elected (member of the Kōtenshi Club). However, in the first general election in 1890 (Meiji 23, Kyoto 5th district, Liberal Party) and the 8th general election in 1903 (Kyoto district, Rikken Seiyūkai), he was the runner-up and thus not elected. He was re-elected in the 9th general election in 1904.

In the business world, he served as a founding member of Kyoto Farmers and Artisans Bank in 1898, became its auditor in 1899, and later took on roles as director. In 1901, he established Tamba Bank in Fukuchiyama (now Fukuchiyama City) and served as its president. However, when Tamba Bank failed in 1908, he withdrew from public office and took charge of settling remaining affairs. He later moved to Kyoto City, and in 1913, returned to his hometown. He led a quiet life in his later years.

Family and Relatives

His second son was Mitsuo Ashida, who served as Prime Minister of Japan.

References and Materials

Notable election history includes losing as the runner-up in the 1890 first House of Representatives election, again as the runner-up in the 1903 eighth election, and winning in the 1904 ninth election.

Sources include "List of House of Representatives Election Results, Vol. 1," "List of Past Members of the Kyoto Prefectural Assembly," and "Historical Record of Parliamentary Systems - Directory of House of Representatives Members."

This information comprehensively covers the life, political, and economic activities of Kashinosuke Ashida.