Katsu Kokichi

Katsu Kokichi was born Otani Kokichi in Edo. He was a low-ranking samurai who was adopted by the Katsu family in order to marry the only Katsu daughter, Nobuko. Kokichi's father, Otani Heizo,. His half brother, Otani Hikoshiro, was twenty-five years older than Kokichi. After their father's retirement as family head, Hikoshiro became responsible for all the family. By contrast, Katsu Kokichi led a life of idleness, never achieving an official post and supplementing his small income by dealing in swords, among other things. The other things, contrary to samurai-class ideals, included acting as a security guard and lending money at high interest. When Kokichi's son Rintaro (later to become the famous naval commander Katsu Kaishū) was fifteen, Kokichi retired as family head, passing on that duty to young Rintaro as he felt he was only causing more distress for everyone. During his last days, Kokichi wrote an autobiography (one of the few surviving from pre-Meiji