Asukai Masaharu (飛鳥井雅春)
Masaharu ASUKAI (November 2, 1520 – March 3, 1594) was a court noble between the Sengoku period (period of warring states) (Japan) and the Azuchi-Momoyama period. He was first named Masanori.
In 1520, Masaharu was born the child of Masatsuna ASUKAI, who held the title of Gon Dainagon (provisional chief councilor of state). It is said that Masaharu frequently went down to the provinces under control of daimyo (Japanese territorial lord) during the Sengoku period such as Suruga Province and Ecchu Province with his father. In 1524, Masaharu was conferred a court rank of Jugoinoge (Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade).
In 1548, Masaharu received the conferment of Jusanmi (Junior Third Rank) and appointment to Saemon no kami (Captain of the Left Division of Middle Palace Guards). In 1549, Masaharu was appointed as Sangi (councilor), Saemon no kami as well as Tanba no kuni no kami (governor of Tanba Province). In 1552, Masaharu was conferred Shosanmi (Senior Third Rank). In 1557, Masaharu was conferred Junii (Junior Second Rank) that was followed by an appointment to Gon Chunagon (a provisional vice-councilor of state) in 1559. In 1574, Masaharu was conferred Shonii (Senior Second Rank) that was followed by an appointment to Gon Dainagon in 1575.
In the meantime, there were some unfortunate events in Masaharu's life such as the untimely death of his child Masaatsu ASUKAI in 1578. In 1582, Masaharu changed his name from Masanori, his original name to Masaharu. In 1584, Masaharu resigned from all of his posts.
In 1594, Masaharu died. His age at death was 75 years old.
Chronology of government posts and ranks
Dates are in the lunar calendar. On December 12, 1524, he was conferred Jugoinoge.
On December 20, 1532, on the occasion of celebrating his coming of age, he assumed imina (personal name) of Masanori rising to Jugoinojo (Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade). On December 21, he was appointed as jiju (chamberlain).
On June 26, 1535, he was reassigned to the post of Sakone no shosho (Minor Captain of the Left Division of Inner Palace Guards).
On February 21, 1536, he was promoted to Shogoinoge (Senior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade) while retaining his position of Sakone no shosho.
On March 8, 1538, he was assigned an additional post of Suruga no suke (Deputy Governor of Suruga Province).
On January 19, 1539, he was promoted to Jushiinoge (Junior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade) while retaining his position of Sakone no shosho. On February 4, he was reassigned to the post of Sakone no chujo (Middle Captain of the Left Division of Inner Palace Guards).
On January 5, 1542, he was promoted to Jushiinojo (Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade) while retaining his position of Sakone no chujo.
On March 19, 1544, he served an additional post of Tanba no suke (Deputy Governor of Tanba Province) leaving the post of Suruga no suke.
On January 5, 1545, he was promoted to Shoshiinoge (Senior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade) while retaining his position of Sakone no chujo and Tanba no suke.
On January 5, 1548, he was promoted to Jusanmi. On March 23, he was appointed as Sahyoe no kami.
On February 25, 1549, he was appointed as Sangi. On March 9, he assumed an additional post of Saemon no kami (Captain of the Left Division of Outer Palace Guards). On March 25, he assumed an additional post of Tanba no gon no kami (Provisional Governor of Tanba Province).
On January 9, 1552, he was promoted to Shosanmi while retaining his position of Sangi and Saemon no kami.
In June 1557, he was promoted to Junii while retaining his position of Sangi and Saemon no kami.
On January 18, 1559, he was reassigned to Gon Chunagon while retaining his position of Saemon no kami.
In 1561, he resigned from the post of Saemon no kami.
On January 5, 1574, he was promoted to Shonii while retaining his position of Gon Chunagon.
On February 19, 1575, he was reassigned to Gon Dainagon.
In 1582, he assumed his personal name to Masaharu.
On October 22, 1584, he resigned from the post of Gon Dainagon.
On January 12, 1594 (March 3, 1594 in old lunar calendar), Masaharu died. Age at death was 75. Hogo (Buddhist name) was Shoga.