Arima Yoritō

Arima Yorito (born March 24, 1822 – July 3, 1846) was the 10th daimyo of Chikugo Kurume Domain and the 11th head of the Arima family of Kurume Domain. His father was the 9th daimyo, Arima Yoritoku (1797–1844), and his mother was Otsuna and Matsuido-in. Upon inheriting his family headship, he was promoted to Junior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade, Chamberlain, and Kamatsusuke. His birthplace is presumed to be Kurume, Chikugo Province.

The details of his life are as follows: He was born on March 24, 1822. In the fifth year of Bunsei (1822), he was designated as the heir. In the fifth year of Tenpō (1834), he was promoted and appointed to Junior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade, Chamberlain, and Kamatsusuke. In the 13th year of Tenpō (1842), he was transferred to become Chikugo no Kami (Chikugo protector). From a young age, he showed intelligence and interest in Western artillery, and it is said that he encouraged the knowledge and techniques related to Western military technology among the domain samurai.

In the 15th year of Tenpō (1844), following the death of his father Yoritoku, he inherited the family headship. At the same time, he initiated reforms aimed at reconstructing the domain's finances. These included frugal austerity measures, strict discipline, modernization of military systems incorporating Western technologies, gathering foreign intelligence, strengthening coastal defenses, and appointing capable personnel. However, shortly after the reforms commenced, he developed hematuria (renal tuberculosis), which subsequently hampered his political activities.

Yorito actively promoted domain reform efforts but died of illness on July 3, 1846 (aged 25). After his death, his younger brother and adopted heir, Arima Yorikami (1828–1881), succeeded him as daimyo. Despite his short tenure, Yorito’s proactive efforts at reform are considered rare among Kurume Domain rulers and he is regarded as a wise ruler in history. However, due to his very brief period in office, the effects and results of his reforms were not fully realized, and during Yorikami’s reign, some of the personnel he promoted tended to self-destruct.

Regarding his family lineage, his father was Arima Yoritoku, his mother was Otsuna and Matsuido-in, and his formal wife was Hira Hime, the twelfth daughter of Shimazu Nao. His adopted son was Arima Yorikami.