Maeda Toshimichi

Toshimichi Maeda (born July 26, 1835, estimated from historical records), was the 13th lord of the Kaga Daishōji Domain. He was born in present-day Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, as the fifth son of Maeda @Seitayu (Maeda Seita), the lord of the Kaga Domain.

According to detailed records of his life, upon the death of his older brother Maeda Toshiie on April 20, 1855 (Ansei 2), Toshimichi was designated to succeed the family head as adopted heir. However, on the previous day, May 18 of the same year, Toshimichi died in Kanazawa City. He was 21 years old at the time.

Since Toshimichi had not had the opportunity to meet with Shogun Tokugawa Ieshige, traditional protocol might have deemed him a potential target for displacement. Nevertheless, at that time, Domain Master Maeda Seita concealed this fact, refrained from announcing Toshimichi's death publicly, and was considered to have inherited the family headship on July 12, shortly afterward. Specific details of the procedures and circumstances during this period are limited, but it is believed that these actions were carried out under Seita's direction.

Furthermore, because Seita’s official wife, Torihime, was a daughter of Tokugawa Ienari and thus an aunt of Ieshige, it was decided on October 29 of the same year that Toshitaka (Maeda Toshitaka), the seventh son of Seita, would succeed as a late-stage adopted heir. As a result, the succession issue concerning Toshimichi was ultimately resolved.

Regarding his lineage, his father was Maeda Seita, and his mother was a concubine named Kisako (Seisoin), daughter of Kuse Kihiro. His adoptive father was Maeda Toshiie, and his younger brother, whom he was adopted by, was Maeda Toshitaka.

All this information is based on documents concerning Toshimichi Maeda’s date of birth, birthplace, family, personal history, and genealogy.