Maeda Toshitsugu

Toshitsugu Maeda (Maeda Toshitsugu) was born on May 31, 1858 (April 19, Ansei 5, old lunar calendar) and died on June 14, 1900. He was a Japanese politician and nobleman. He held the court rank of Junior Second Rank with the Second Class of Orders of Merit, and was a Marquis. He was the 15th head of the Maeda family of Kaga. His courtesy name was Sui’ei, and his pseudonym was Ikuhō.

Toshitsugu Maeda was born as the eldest son of Keinei Maeda, the heir to the Kaga Domain. His childhood name was Takyomaru. Details about his birthplace and family relations are not recorded. In 1869 (Meiji 2), he went to Kyoto on behalf of his father and visited the Imperial Court. During this visit, he was appointed to the rank of Shōni no Ge, Lieutenant of the Sanno guard, and became Kaneshu Chikuzen no Kami. In 1871 (Meiji 4), as a member of the Iwakura Mission, he studied abroad in Britain.

In 1879 (Meiji 12), he participated in the establishment of the "Kakushūnō Ikuei-sha," a scholarship organization aimed at supporting education for children from Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, donating 2000 yen (equivalent to around 33 million yen today). This activity aimed to assist the tuition of students from Ishikawa and Toyama.

On July 7, 1884 (Meiji 17), he was elevated to the rank of Marquis. On December 24, 1887 (Meiji 20), he was promoted to Sangonii (Third Rank), and on December 27 of the same year, he received the Gold Yellow Ribbon Medal. On November 25, 1889 (Meiji 22), he was awarded the Great Japan Empire Constitution Commemorative Medal. Between 1887 and 1897, he received various honors and awards.

In 1890 (Meiji 23), he became a member of the House of Peers as a hereditary peer, serving as a Marquis. He held several official positions, including chief huntsman and quasi-official in the shūrō (hunting and forestry affairs). In October 1891 (Meiji 24), he attended the commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the reconstruction of Kanazawa Castle.

In 1895 (Meiji 28), he established a farm in the western part of the Ishikari Plain in Hokkaido, which became the origin of the Maeda district in Sapporo City. He died on June 14, 1900 (Meiji 33), at the age of 42. After his death, the family headship was succeeded by his adopted son, Maeda Toshiie.

His father was Keinei Maeda (the 13th lord of Kaga Domain), and his mother was Futen (Tetsuhide-in). His first wife was Maeda Nori (daughter of Maeda Nori, the daughter of Matsura Sumi), and later he remarried Arako Maeda (daughter of Naohiro Nabeshima). His eldest daughter was Namiko Maeda, who became the wife of Toshiie Maeda.

His family relations include his parents, wife, children, and adopted son. Within the Maeda family, there were also collateral branches and connections through blood relations with other families.

Locations associated with his activities include the Kamakura Literary Museum (built as his villa) and records related to railroads, such as investments in locomotive manufacturing, and the names of Maeda Station and Nishi-Maeda Station.

External references mention materials like “The Great Farm that Built the Foundation of Maeda / Ikuhō Maeda Toshitsugu, Tōno Ward, Sapporo City,” among others.