Shimazu Hisanaga

Shimazu Hisanaga (born February 18, 1818, in the 15th year of Bunka era / March 24, 1818 – December 7, 1857, in the 3rd year of Ansei era / January 2, 1858) was a samurai of the Satsuma Domain during the late Edo period. He was the son of Shimazu Hisatake, and his courtesy names were Mat8haro and Hyogo.

Hisanaga was the head of the Kajiki Shimazu family, one of the four main houses of the Shimazu clan. During the rule of his father, Hisatake, he received unusual appointments and was highly favored by the domain. In 1850 (Kaei 3), he succeeded to the family headship, and in 1851 (Kaei 4), he was officially incorporated into the family of the domain lord, Shimazu Nariakira. Records indicate he accompanied other family heads to castle town visits. In 1852 (Kaei 5), he traveled to Edo for Nariakira’s first sankin-kōtai (alternate attendance).

In domain administration, he was especially noted for efforts to strengthen the navy. Family records also note that he arranged his daughter, Sadahime, to become Nariakira’s adopted daughter and established kinship ties with Shimazu Hisecao. Sadahime was adopted by Shimazu Nariakira and became the official wife of Konoe Tadamaro.

His paternal lineage traces back to Shimazu Hisatake, though details about his mother are unknown. No detailed records remain about his wife. His daughter, Mitsuko (Sadahime), was adopted by Nariakira and later became the wife of Konoe Tadamaro.

Hisanaga’s life spanned from his birth in 1818 to his death in 1857, marked by his appointments, family alliances, and contributions to naval strengthening during a turbulent period for the domain.