Ikutarō Kishida

Ikutaro Kishida (born November 19, 1867 (Keio 3, October 24) – September 14, 1908 (Meiji 41)) was a Japanese businessman. He is a great-grandfather of Fumio Kishida, the 100th and 101st Prime Minister of Japan, and Yoichi Murao, former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Biography

Ikutaro Kishida was born on November 19, 1867 (October 14, Keio 3) in Okuya Village, Kamo District, Aki Province (present-day Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture), as the eldest son of Tadahiro Kishida and his wife Sami. The Kishida family had split off during the era of his great-grandfather, Nogo Kishida, using the business name "Shindeariya" and had continued farming in Okuya Village thereafter.

Around 1891, Ikutaro began exporting agricultural machinery, seeds, and kimono fabrics, and also sold marine products purchased from Hokkaido. In 1894, he married Sumi, the fourth daughter of Naonosuke Miyake, and the following year, his first son, Masaki, was born. About two months after Masaki's birth, Ikutaro moved to Keelung, Taiwan, where he engaged in kimono and lumber trading.

After returning to Japan in 1899, Ikutaro managed a timber business in his local Nishishiwa village and hardware stores in Kure City. Around 1906, he traveled to Manchuria, purchased land about 1 chō 5 tan to 6 tan in the central Dalian area, and operated a rental property business. He died suddenly at the age of 40 on September 14, 1908.

Buildings including the store set up during his Taiwan period still exist in Keelung as of 2021, and are used as restaurants and bookstores.

Family and Relatives

The Kishida family lineage is as follows: His great-grandfather, Nogo Kishida, was a farmer and the first head of "Shindeariya." His grandfather, Yanpei Kishida, also farmed. His father, Tadahiro Kishida, was a farmer and the third head of "Shindeariya."

His mother was Sami. He had siblings, including an elder brother, Kōtarō, who was a lumber merchant.

His wife was Sumi, the fourth daughter of Naonosuke Miyake. They had several children. Their eldest son was Masaki, a businessman who operated the Dalian-based Kishida Hyakkaten Department Store, and who served as a Member of the House of Representatives (1895–1961). Their second son, Bunbu (1926–1992), was a government official in the Ministry of Trade and Industry and also served in the Diet. Another second son, Shunsuke, was a banker.

Ikutaro Kishida's eldest daughter was married to Hiromura Miyazawa, making her the mother of Yoichi Murao. Other children include Masajiro, the second son, who also managed the Kishida Hyakkaten Department Store as a businessman.

His descendants include great-grandchildren such as Fumio Kishida and Yoichi Murao.

References

- "Japan-Korea Business Directory, Volume 2," San'ei Kōshinjo, 1908.

- Nishinose Rinshi, Tsuchiya Shūtarō (editors), 『Great Japan Personalities: Contemporary Biographies and Names』, Hakkōsha, 1913.

- Tokyo Mainichi Shimbun, 『Great Tokyo Current Affairs, Reprint Edition』, 1934.

- Jinji Kōshinsha, 『Jinji Kōshinroku, 13th Edition, Volume 1』, 1941.

- Teikoku Himitsu Tanteisha, 『People's Directory, 14th Edition, Overseas, Manchuria, Foreign Parts』, 1943.

- Hakubun-sha, 『Shōden Kishida Masaki』, 1983.

- Taichi Ichikawa, 『Parliamentarians of Hiroshima (Hiroshima Christian University Research Series No. 71)』, Hiroshima Shudo University, 1992.