Matsudaira Yoritaka (Shishido)

1. Overview

Matsudaira Yoritaka (松平 頼位^Japanese, March 17, 1810 - December 17, 1886) was a prominent Japanese daimyō during the late Edo period and early Meiji period. He served as the 8th and 10th lord of Shishido Domain in Hitachi Province. After an initial retirement, he returned to head the domain following the death of his son during the turbulent Tengutō Rebellion. Although the domain was temporarily abolished due to its involvement in the rebellion, it was later restored by the new Meiji government, and Yoritaka was appointed as a domainal governor before the final abolition of the domains. In his later life, he became a Shinto priest and was recognized as a prolific writer, contributing to significant literary works of his time. He is also notable for his familial connection as the great-great-grandfather of the renowned Japanese author Mishima Yukio.

2. Early Life and Family

Matsudaira Yoritaka was born on March 17, 1810, as the fourth son of Matsudaira Yorisuke, the 5th daimyō of Shishido Domain. His mother was from the Taguchi clan. At the time of his birth, his father Yorisuke had already retired. Yoritaka's elder half-brother, Matsudaira Yorinori, who had succeeded their father, died young. Consequently, Matsudaira Yorikata, a cousin, was adopted from the main Mito Domain family to become the 7th daimyō.

In 1827, Yoritaka was adopted into the Nagakura Matsudaira family, a branch of the Mito Tokugawa clan with the status of karō (chief retainer). He married Ito (絲^Japanese), the adopted daughter of Matsudaira Yoriyoshi and real daughter of Matsudaira Yasufuku, and succeeded to the family's 3,000 koku stipend. During this period, he was granted the title of Chikara-no-kami (主税頭^Japanese, Head of the Tax Bureau). His first son, Matsudaira Yorinori (松平 頼徳^Japanese), was born on April 3, 1831, followed by his first daughter, Yuki (雪^Japanese), on February 26, 1832. Yuki later died on August 26, 1849, at the age of 17.

3. Daimyo Career

Matsudaira Yoritaka's career as a daimyō was marked by significant political changes and personal challenges, including his involvement in the Mito Domain's affairs and the tumultuous events of the late Edo period.

4. Later Life and Literary Pursuits

After leaving public office, Matsudaira Yoritaka dedicated himself to spiritual and literary endeavors. In 1877, he became a Shinto priest at Tokiwa Shrine. He was highly regarded as a cultural figure and a prolific writer. Among his notable works, he compiled Kokushihen (告志篇^Japanese), which documented the achievements and deeds of Tokugawa Nariaki.

He also played a significant role in the publication of the Meirin Kashu (明倫歌集^Japanese), a collection of Japanese poetry compiled by Tokugawa Nariaki and others. Yoritaka authored the postscript (batsubun) for the ten-volume collection and oversaw its publication from the Shishido Domain's domain school, Shūtoku-kan (脩徳館^Japanese). The collection was subsequently distributed by booksellers in Edo, demonstrating his influence in the literary world.

On July 1880, Yoritaka formally transferred the headship of the family to his second son, Matsudaira Yoriyasu. On September 6, 1883, he was granted the court rank of Junior Fourth Rank (従四位^Japanese).

5. Genealogy and Ancestry

Matsudaira Yoritaka's lineage connects him to prominent branches of the Tokugawa clan and its related Matsudaira houses. He was the son of Matsudaira Yorisuke, the 5th daimyō of Shishido Domain. His paternal grandfather was Tokugawa Munemoto, the 5th daimyō of Mito Domain. Further back, his paternal great-grandfather was Tokugawa Munetaka, the 4th daimyō of Mito. Through this line, Yoritaka was a direct descendant of the Mito Tokugawa family, one of the three main branches of the Tokugawa clan. His paternal great-great-grandfather was Matsudaira Yoritoyo, the 3rd daimyō of the Takamatsu Domain, linking him to another significant Matsudaira branch.

Yoritaka's family included:

• Spouse:** Ito (絲^Japanese), adopted daughter of Matsudaira Yoriyoshi, real daughter of Matsudaira Yasufuku.
• Children:**
  • Matsudaira Yorinori (松平 頼徳^Japanese), his eldest son, who became the 9th daimyō of Shishido.
  • Yuki (雪^Japanese), his eldest daughter.
  • Tei (珽^Japanese), his second daughter, who married Kakei Masanori.
  • Matsudaira Yoriyasu (松平 頼安^Japanese), his second son, who succeeded him as family head.
  • Taka (高^Japanese), his third daughter.
  • Matsudaira Yorihira (松平 頼平^Japanese), his third son, adopted by Hakozaki Hirotada and later by Matsudaira Yoshinori.
  • Tsuyako (艶^Japanese), his fourth daughter, who married Ishida Yoshishige.
  • Ei (鋭^Japanese), his fifth daughter.

6. Legacy and Connection to Mishima Yukio

Matsudaira Yoritaka's lineage continued to be significant in Japanese society. His second son, Matsudaira Yoriyasu (1856-1940), succeeded him as the family head in 1880. Under the new peerage system established in the Meiji era, Yoriyasu was granted the title of Viscount (shishaku 子爵^Japanese), reflecting the family's continued status.

Yoritaka's most notable legacy through his descendants is his connection to the internationally acclaimed author Mishima Yukio. Yoritaka's third daughter, Matsudaira Taka (松平 高^Japanese, 1857-1923), married Nagai Iwanojō (永井 岩之丞^Japanese, 1845-1907), who was the son of the famous Nagai Naoyuki. Their daughter, Natsu (なつ^Japanese), became the grandmother of Mishima Yukio (born Kimitake Hiraoka). This familial link establishes Matsudaira Yoritaka as Mishima Yukio's great-great-grandfather, connecting the daimyō's aristocratic lineage to one of Japan's most influential modern literary figures.

7. Death

Matsudaira Yoritaka died on December 17, 1886, at the age of 76 (or 77 by traditional Japanese reckoning).