Kuki Takakuni

Takakuni Kuki (Kuki Takakuni, born in the first year of Tenmei (1781) – December 15, 1852) was the 10th lord of the Mita Domain in Settsu Province and the 22nd head of the Kuki family.

Life

Takakuni Kuki was born in Edo. His birth took place in the first year of Tenmei (1781), and his father was the 9th lord, Kuki Takachō.

On February 6, 1798, in conjunction with his father's retirement, he inherited the position of domain lord. He was officially appointed on December 18 of the following year. In governing the domain, he held positions such as Kugei Kyōkō-uke (Imperial envoy attendant) and Sōja-ban (court official), but expenses associated with these roles led to financial difficulties for the domain.

Although he was an outsider daimyo, Takakuni Kuki was appointed to the role of Sōja-ban, which was responsible for rituals and ceremonies at the shogunate. This appointment is thought to be connected to the fact that he married the main wife from the Hachisuka family, who served as the governor of Awa and Awaji Provinces at the time.

In 1839 (Tempo 10), he was promoted to castle lord and took on the status of castle ruler. As part of domain administration, he invited Kondo Koichiro from Kyoto and developed the Kokumōkan Domain School further.

On June 19, 1843 (Tempo 14), he retired, passing the family headship to his eldest son, Taketoshi. After retirement, he adopted the name Nankaku and lived the subsequent years away from governance.

He died on December 15, 1852 (Kaei 5) at the age of 72.