Matsura Akira
| Matsura Akira 松浦 詮 |
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Matsura Akira after the Meiji Restoration
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| Lord of Hirado | |
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In office 1858–1871 |
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| Preceded by | Matsura Terasu |
| Succeeded by | none |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
November 11, 1840 Hirado, Japan |
| Died | April 13, 1908 (aged 67) |
| Nationality | Japanese |
Count Matsura Akira (松浦 詮, November 11, 1840 – April 13, 1908) was the 12th and final daimyō of Hirado Domain in Hizen Province, Kyūshū, Japan. He was also the 37th hereditary head of the Matsura clan, and a noted tea master. His honorary title was. Hizen-no-Kami.
Akira was born as the 3rd son of Matsura Hiromu, the 10th daimyō of Hirado. His elder brother, Matsura Terasu became 11th daimyō of Hirado in 1841; however by 1849, despite having a wife and three official concubines, Terasu was still childless. Therefore, in November 1849, Akira was officially adopted as his son and heir. Terasu died unexpectedly on August 5, 1858, and Akira became the 12th daimyō of Hirado.
Akira was an active ruler, and attempted to continue the efforts started by his brother to strengthen the domain in face of the unsettled Bakumatsu period by continuing land reforms, sponsoring improved agricultural methods and military training. In 1859, he was visited by Katsu Kaishū and by the Dutch doctor J. L. C. Pompe van Meerdervoort. In 1860, he built coastal defenses as increasing numbers of foreign ships were seen near Hirado’s shores.
Politically, he supported the moderate Kōbu Gattai policy of attempting to reconcile the Tokugawa Bakufu with the Imperial Court. During the Boshin War of the Meiji Restoration, he commanded his forces as part of the Satchō Alliance in support of Emperor Meiji, and fought at the Battle of Toba-Fushimi and against the Tokugawa remnants of the Ōuetsu Reppan Dōmei in northern Japan, at Morioka and Akita.
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