Kihē Kangi Kunimitsu
First Generation KiheiBIOGRAPHY
During the mid-Edo period, the Kunimitsu family served as retainers to the Nomi family of the Hagi Domain. However, Kihei left their service and, for 36 years starting from 1727 (Kyoho 12), served as a local official—holding positions such as village headman (shoya) for Iwata and Namagu, and district headman (oshoya) for the Kuga and Kumage districts. Throughout his life, he dedicated his private fortune to relieving the poor and destitute. In recognition of his repeated contributions to the domain, he was granted the privilege of 'Myoji-taito' (the right to bear a surname and wear swords). Records for 'Kangi' also indicate he served as shoya from the Kyoho to Horeki eras, during which time he received the same honors. Furthermore, according to the munafuda (dedicatory plaques) at Dainichi-do, Kihei and Kangi are the same individual. Since the name 'Kangi' is clearly engraved on the existing stone lantern at the temple, it is highly probable that the name 'Tomoyoshi' found in other records is a transcription error.
HISTORICAL RECORDS
『奉再興大日堂一宇 国家安全 諸人快楽祈所
于時元文三午ノ九月吉祥日
法主大日坊正覚寺清伝 願主國光喜兵衛友義』
Dedicatory Building Wooden Tablets
『奉寄進
國光完儀 國光孟雅
明和三丙戌二月』
Extant. Donated with his son, Takemasa. (Click to view)
『奉再興八幡宮一宇 宝暦八
願主國光完儀 山城重左衛門 國光武七郎』
Recorded as a central figure in the restoration of the shrine.
ACTIVITY TIMELINE
Birth
Born in Iwata Village, Kumage District, as the son of Heisaemon Kunimitsu, a retainer of the Nomi family.
Appointment as Village Headman of Iwata and Amaguwa「The Kunimitsu Family Documents」
Ordered to serve as the Shoya (village headman) for both Iwata and Amaguwa.
Granting of Surname and Sword Privileges During Tenure「The Kunimitsu Family Documents」
Kibei Kunimitsu of Iwata Village was granted the privilege of using a surname during his tenure as Shoya (village headman) in recognition of his contributions to the domain.
Epidemic「The Kunimitsu Family Documents」
During the epidemic, Kihē provided immediate relief by contributing 3 koku and 1 to of rice, along with 1 koku and 7 to of barley, from his own reserves to support the suffering villagers.
Bōchō Jige Jōshin (The 1720s Domain-wide Survey of Suō and Nagato)
Kihē officially compiled and submitted the Iwata-mura Kokudaka Yuraigaki (The Origins of Village Yield) and the Sakaimegaki Ezu (Illustrated Boundary Maps) to the domain authorities.
Reconstruction of Dainichido Hall
He served as the primary sponsor (Ganshu) and oversaw the reconstruction of the hall.
Appointment as District Headman「The Kunimitsu Family Documents」
He was formally appointed as the O-shoya (District Headman) for both Kumage and Kuga districts.
Contribution for the Tone River Embankment Project「The Kunimitsu Family Documents」
Following the Shogunate's order to the Hagi Domain for the Tone River flood control project, he provided 500 momme of silver to help cover the costs.
Permission to Wear Swords During Tenure「The Kunimitsu Family Documents」
In recognition of his contributions to the domain, Kibei Kunimitsu, the Shoya of Iwata Village, was granted the privilege of wearing swords during his term in office.
Relief for Storm Damage「The Kunimitsu Family Documents」
Following severe wind damage, he provided 4 koku 3 to of rice and 15 koku of barley as interest-free loans to the villagers.
Great Floods「The Kunimitsu Family Documents」
In response to a series of floods and thunderstorms on June 25th, July 13th, and July 16th, he provided 2 koku 8 to of rice, 3 koku 2 to of barley, and an additional 15 koku of wheat as interest-free loans to aid the victims.
Elevated to Lifelong Status and Retirement「The Kunimitsu Family Documents」
In recognition of his enduring contributions, the privilege of bearing a surname and wearing swords (Myoji-Taito) was elevated to a lifelong status, rather than being limited to his time in office. Subsequently, he stepped down from his position as the O-shoya (District Headman) of the Kumage and Kuga districts.
Great Earthquake and Violent thunderstorms「The Kunimitsu Family Documents」
Double Disaster and Emergency Relief: On the night of July 20th, a great earthquake struck, followed by a violent thunderstorm the next day. To aid the victims, he provided 100 koku of rice at the end of the year as a relief fund (Motoi) to support the community.
大雨洪水「The Kunimitsu Family Documents」
五月十四日から三日間にかけて大雨洪水。元居米三〇〇石に一〇〇石を加え、計四〇〇石を元居米として差出し困窮者の救済に充てる
Granting of Surname for the Successor's Generation
「The Kunimitsu Family Documents」
The right to use a surname was granted, but explicitly restricted to the lifetime of the next generation (the son).
Smallpox Epidemic and Poor Fishing at Murozumi-ura
「The Kunimitsu Family Documents」
In the autumn, a smallpox epidemic began, spreading with increasing severity as winter approached. Meanwhile, the fishing village of Murozumi-ura suffered from a poor catch. To provide relief, Kihē contributed 30 koku of rice. The following year, he further donated 28 koku of rice and 5 kan of silver.
Reconstruction of Iwato Hachiman-gu Shrine
「The Death Register of Hachiman-gu Shrine」
Kihē served as a chief petitioner (ganshu) alongside Bushichirō Kunimitsu of Iwata Village and Jūzaemon Yamashiro of Nishihata Village to successfully rebuild Iwato Hachiman-gu Shrine.
Retirement from the position of Shoya
Hereditary right to use a surname Granted
「The Kunimitsu Family Documents」
In this year, Kihē Kunimitsu retired from his position as Shoya (village headman). In recognition of his many years of devoted service and significant contributions to the domain, he was granted the hereditary right to use a surname (Eitai-myōji) in perpetuity.
His son,Shigezaemon-Samurai class
「History of Hirao Town」
Kihē contributed 500 koku of "Chisō-mai" (relief or service rice) for the Kaisaku (land reclamation project). In recognition of this service, his son, Shigezaemon, was appointed as a Goritoku-yatoigo (a specially employed official) with a stipend of Ninin-buchi (rations for two people) and 5 koku of rice. This appointment elevated Shigezaemon to the status of Shibun (samurai class), leading to the establishment of a branch of the Kunimitsu family.
Dedicated a stone lantern at Dainichibō.
Together with his son, Takemasa, he donated a stone lantern to the grounds in front of the Dainichi-do Hall at Butsubosan Kazoin Shokaku-ji (commonly known as Dainichibo).The stone lantern is still extant.
Died
Passed away at the age of 73.