Kuki Ryūichi (九鬼 隆一, September 12, 1852 – August 18, 1931) was a samurai of provincial origin who is best known as the father of the Japanese philosopher Kuki Shūzō (九鬼 周造).
In the early years of the Meiji period, after studying under Fukuzawa Yukichi (福澤 諭吉), he took a post in the Japanese Ministry of Education, specializing in cultural policy. In 1884 he was appointed Japanese ambassador to the United States. Complications in his career arose when his wife Hatsu had an affair with Okakura Kakuzō (岡倉 覚三). He eventually returned to Japan where he continued to work in the Ministry of Education, and play a role as a patron of the arts.[1]