Morisada Hosokawa

Morisada Hosokawa (born July 17, 1912 – October 3, 2005) was the 17th head of the Hosokawa family of the former Higo Kumamoto Domain. He was from Fukuoka Prefecture. His father was Marquis Moritake Hosokawa, and his mother was Hiroko Ikeda (the eldest daughter of Norimasa Ikeda). At the time of his birth, the Hosokawa family held the title of Marquis within the kazoku peerage system, but Morisada did not inherit the title himself; the head of the family was his father, Moritake.

Regarding his career, after graduating from the old system's Gakushuin High School, he entered the Faculty of Law at Kyoto Imperial University, where he studied under Naoyoshi Kano. After graduation, he worked as a commissioned officer at the Planning Agency. In 1940 (Showa 15), he was appointed as the Prime Minister's Secretary in the Second Konoe Cabinet.

In 1943 (Showa 18), he became an official attached to Prince Takamatsu Nobuhisa, the younger brother of the Emperor, primarily gathering information and exchanging opinions at the Imperial Palace. During the wartime, he kept a diary called "Hosokawa Nikki," recording details about the attempted assassination of Prime Minister Tojo Hideki and the efforts toward ending the war, which was published after the war.

After the war, he distanced himself from political activities and became the chairman of the Eisei Bunko Foundation, which manages traditional arts and crafts of the Hosokawa family. He first experienced golf in Karuizawa at a golf club in 1922 and became passionate about the sport thereafter. He also served as the director of the Shrine Agency and as president of the Japan Craftsmanship Association, among other positions.

In 1949 (Showa 24), he became the president of Higo Seiroku Co., Ltd., and during the Emperor's visit to Kumamoto, he led a factory tour. In his later years, he served as the 5th president of the Ise Shrine Reverence Association, succeeding Masaru Hirose. He was also active in collecting art and writing, authoring numerous works.

Regarding his family, his eldest son, Morihiro Hosokawa, became a politician, serving as a member of the House of Councillors, governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, and ultimately becoming the Prime Minister of Japan in 1993 (Heisei 5) as a member of the Japan New Party. Morisada was cautious about Morihiro's political activities, and there were differences of opinion within the family.

As for his peerage, since his father, Moritake, retained the title of Marquis until his death, Morisada was in a position of heir to the marquisate. However, with the abolition of the kazoku system, the hereditary title was not inherited.

Morisada married in 1922 and had two marriages thereafter. His first wife was Hiroko Konoe, the second daughter of former Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe. With her, he had his eldest son, Morihiro. Morihiro later entered politics, serving as governor, legislator, and Prime Minister.

He died on October 3, 2005, due to multiple organ failure, at the age of 93. His funeral was held at Aoyama Funeral Home.