Shimazu Nariakira

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Shimazu Nariakira (島津斉彬, April 28, 1809 – August 24, 1858) 19th century Japanese feudal lord. 11th generation daimyo of the Satsuma domain. Held court rank of senior 4th rank, upper grade (shō-yon-i-jō 正四位上), though he posthumously reached senior 1st rank (shō-ichi-i 正一位). Also held court titles of Satsuma no Kami 薩摩守, Sakon-e-chūjō 左近衛中将 ("General of the Left"), and the posthumous gen-chūnagon 権中納言 ("Middle Counselor").

Born in Edo to 10th generation Satsuma lord Shimazu Narioki (島津斉興). From a young age, Nariakira was greatly influenced by the legacy of his late grandfather, the 9th generation daimyō Shimazu Shigehide, and thus he displayed a keen interest in "Western learning." To this end, he encouraged the development of shipbuilding, glassmaking, and ironworking in his domain. Nariakira was a driving political force at the time when U.S. Navy Commodore Matthew C. Perry arrived in Japan in 1853. It was also during his tenure as daimyo that he is said to have created the current national flag of Japan.

He was succeeded by Shimazu Tadayoshi, his nephew, who was still a young child.

In May of 1863, the late Nariakira was enshrined as the Shinto god Terukuni Daimyōjin.

Sources: Japanese Wikipedia article on Shimazu Nariakira