Shoichiro Shiraishi

A wealthy merchant from Akamagaseki, Nagato Province (Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture). His given names were Sukekata and Sukekaze. His family was called Oguraya, and they ran a shipping business, trading with various countries. As they had been doing business with Satsuma since early times as a Satsuma wholesaler, in 1858 (Ansei 5) they petitioned the Choshu Domain for trade between Satsuma and Choshu, which was carried out by Nakano Hanzaemon, who was in charge of agricultural promotion. He also held the aspirations of Sonno Joi (revere the expulsion of the nobility), and had connections with and provided assistance to patriots within the domain, including Takasugi Shinsaku, as well as patriots from other domains, such as Hirano Kuniomi and Maki Izumi. He participated in the Battle of Bakanjoi in 1863 (Bunkyu 3), and when Takasugi Shinsaku formed the Kiheitai at Shiraishi's house in the same year, he joined with his younger brother Rensaku and supported them with his own money. His diary includes "Shiraishi Suefu Diary" and "Diary Summary." He died on August 31, 1880.

[Kazuo Yoshimoto]

"Shiraishi Family Documents" (1968), compiled and published by the Shimonoseki City Board of Education

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

長門国(ながとのくに)赤間関(あかまがせき)（山口県下関(しものせき)市）の豪商。名は資方、資風。家は小倉屋(こくらや)といい、海運業を営み、諸国との交易を行った。とくに薩州(さっしゅう)問屋として、早くから薩摩と取引のあったことから、1858年（安政5）に薩長交易を長州藩に内願し、勧農御内用懸(かんのうごないようがかり)中野半左衛門の手によって実施された。また自らは尊攘(そんじょう)の志を抱き、高杉晋作(しんさく)をはじめとする藩内の志士、さらに平野国臣(くにおみ)、真木和泉(まきいずみ)など他藩の志士とも交流があり、援助を与えた。63年（文久3）の馬関攘夷(ばかんじょうい)戦にも参加したが、同年に高杉晋作が白石宅で奇兵隊を結成すると、弟の廉作(れんさく)とともに入隊し、私財を投じて援助した。日記に『白石資風日記』『日記中摘要』などがある。明治13年8月31日没。

［吉本一雄］

『下関市教育委員会編・刊『白石家文書』（1968）』

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例