Name: Asano Naritaka, Lord of Clan Asano, 10th Daimyo of Hiroshima
Born: 20 September 1813
Clan: Asano
Specialty: Daimyo
Province: Hiroshima Domain (広島藩
Hiroshima-han)
The Asano are descendants of the
Emperor Seiwa (850-880), of
Minamoto no Yorimitsu (944-1021), and are a branch of the Toki family. Minamoto no Mitsunobu, descended from Yorimitsu in the 4th generation, settled at Toki (Mino) and took the name of that place. The Toki were hereditary
shugo (Governors) of
Mino province until the 16th century. Wealthy and influentual within the region, they control nearly half a million
koku of land property, including the whole Aki province and parts of the neighbouring Bingo province.
Born in the Hiroshima Castle, Asano Naritaka was always a person of brave and independent spirit. His father was often away and serving within the governmental councils and holding the office of shisha bugyo
(the minister of shrines and temples). The young heir was educated by loyal samurai retainers and advisors of the clan. From his earliest childhood he has understood the importance the values of
Bushido Code, of the loyalty to the Emperor and honorable behavior in all circumstances. A great lover of history,he quickly learned of the the story of Fourty-Seven Ronin, in which one of his bloodline participated, and with a beating heart, read aloud the death poem this hapless ancestor, Asano Nagahiro, had written before comitting seppuku.
「風さそふ花よりも / なほ我はまた / 春の名残を / いかにやとせん」
"kaze sasofu hana yori mo / naho ware ha mata / haru no nagori wo / ika ni yatosen."
"More than the cherry blossoms,
Inviting a wind to blow them away,
I am wondering what to do,
With the remaining springtime."
Gradually he became a great lover of poetry and started writing haiku. However, he did not limit himself to bookish knowledge. Avidly practicing with the sword, he imagined the battles of the future he would win. Lurking away from the castle, he conversed with strange white-haired foreigners in his port city - and then went to sea on a boat, eagerly battling the weather and winds...
When his father died, Naritaka was serving in military offices. Now he is eager to do his best to serve Japan and bring new glory to his clan. By his views he is a supporter of Japanese traditional ways - but believes that certain Western technical approaches may be useful for the Empire.