Matsura Seizan

Matsura Seizan (松浦 静山^?), born Matsura Kiyoshi (松浦 清^?, March 7, 1760 – August 15, 1841), was a daimyo, essayist, and famed swordsman during the Edo period of Japan. Seizan was a practitioner of Iba Hideaki's Shingyōtō-ryū school of swordsmanship, in which Seizan was considered as an adept. Seizan adopted the name Joseishi after receiving the final transmission of the Shingyōtō ryu school.

Seizan was born in Edo, at the Hirado-han (Hirado domain) residence, as the oldest son of Matsura Masanobu (1735–1771), the heir apparent of the domain. When his father died before assuming leadership of the clan, Seizan was adopted by his grandfather Matsura Sanenobu. Following the retirement of his grandfather, Seizan became Lord of Hirado at the age of sixteen. (Seizan himself later retired in favor of his son Matsura Hiromu). He applied himself seriously to his official duties, encouraging farming and fishing in his domain and making financial reforms. He also realized the importance of education and founded the Ishinkan, a school promoting both academic and martial studies. Within the school, a variety of different styles were studied, including Shingyōtō ryu kenjutsu, Enmei ryu kenjutsu, Itto ryu kenjutsu and several schools of sojutsu.

After retiring in 1806, Seizan devoted himself to writing. In 1821, he began writing his Kasshi Yawa (甲子夜話^?), a collection of essays that eventually grew to 278 volumes. These essays have been republished in 40 volumes by Heibonsha and are regarded as an invaluable reference by historians of the period. Topics range from the politics of the late 18th and early 19th centuries through the mores and customs of daimyo, samurai, and commoners of the time.

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