Abe Masachika (阿部正允)
Masachika ABE (1716-December 19, 1780) was a daimyo (Japanese feudal lord) and roju (senior councilor) in the Edo period. He was the lord of Shinobu Domain in Musashi Province. He was the fifth of the ABE family of Chushu clan.
Masachika was the first son of hatamoto (direct retainer of Shogun), Masaharu ABE (third son of Masatake ABE, the eighth lord of Shinobu Domain) who was bestowed 5,000 koku (approximately 0.9 million liters of crop yield). Masachika's mother was a daughter of Tomoharu TOYAMA. Masachika's lawful wife was an adopted daughter of Naosada II (a daughter of Naotsugu II). His children included Masamune ABE (second son), Masatami Shirasu (third son), Masazane ABE (fourth son), a daughter (lawful wife of Mitsutoku MATSUDAIRA), a daughter (lawful wife of Katayoshi MATSUDAIRA), a daughter (lawful wife of of Masashika OKUDAIRA), and a daughter (lawful wife of Tadayoshi SAKAI).
Though Masachika first succeeded his father and became hatamoto, he was adopted by Masataka ABE because their head family, Shinobu clan had no successor and Masachika succeeded Masataka as the head of the family when Masataka retired in 1748. In the next year, 1749, Masachika was appointed as sojaban (an official in charge of the ceremonies), then Osaka jodai (the keeper of Osaka Castle) in 1762, Kyoto shoshidai (The Kyoto deputy) in 1764, Nishinomaru roju (roju in the west building of the castle) in 1769 and Honmaru roju (roju in the main building of the castle) in 1779. Masachika died in 1780.
Masachika was forced to have a hard time in managing his domain when an anti-tax-increase ikki (a riot) in ruled Chichibu area, tenma sodo (Post Horse Rebellion) and so on arose. After his death, the Masatoshi ABE, the fifth son of Masataka, the ex-lord of the Domain succeeded him as the head of the family.
Brief Personal History
1716: Masachika was born (some people say that he was born in April 26, 1722).
1730: He succeeded his father, Masaharu ABE and became hatamoto receiving 5,000 koku.
1733: He was adopted by Masataka ABE.
1748: He succeeded to the Shinobu Domain.
1749: He was appointed as soshaban.
1759: He resigned soshaban and appointed as shikoseki (anteroom seats for feudal lords and direct retainer of the shogun at the Edo-jo Castle).
January 22, 1763-July 19, 1764: He was appointed as Osaka jodai.
July 19, 1764: He was appointed as Kyoto shoshidai.
1769-May 31, 1779: He was appointed as Nishimaru roju.
May 31, 1779: He was appointed as Honmaru roju.
December 19, 1780: He died at the age of 64.
Record of Official Court Ranks
1733: Jugoinoge (Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade), the governor of Noto Province
1735: The governor of Hida Province
1759: Jushiinoge (Junior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade)
1764: Jiju (chamberlain)
1769: The governor of Bungo Province