30. Uesugi Yozan

Today, I write about “Uesugi Yozan”.
“Uesugi Yozan” is a feudal lord of the Edo period.
He was a very able politician.
1769, He marries the daughter of the Yonezawa feudal lord.
Afterwards, he became Yonezawa feudal lord.
However, there was difficulty.
His wife was a mental defective.
And finances were severely squeezed.
Debts were equivalent to six years of total expenditures.
His domain was poor.
He did not know it until he got married.
He was kind until the wife died at the age of 30.
He was performed finance reform.
He punishes an opposition.

He performed the following.
1. Personnel reduction
2. Development of farmland
Agricultural waterway was built and farmland was increased.
Cultivation of Japanese lacquer, mulberry and camellia.
The fruit of Japanese lacquer : material of a candle.
Mulberry : For making silk thread
Camellia.: Materials of Japanese paper
3. Development of a new industry
Aquaculture of carp, Manufacture of folk craft, Refining of salt, Sale of a flint
4. Manufacture of textiles
5. Personnel training
The able educator was invited and excellent talented people were raised.
6. The good idea was collected.
The box which collects good ideas was located.

He lived a simple life.
It was the life below a low rank samurai.

He retired at the age of 35.
And he supported finance reform.
He said to next feudal lord.

“Do and it will be done; don’t do and it will not be done: if something is not done, that is because no one did it ”

1822, He died at the age of 72.
1826, All the debts were repaid.

1961, John F. Kennedy (35th President of the United States) was asked by Japanese journalist.
“Do you have anyone to look up to in Japan? ”
The President answered.
“Uesugi Yozan”

He was enshrined as a deity in the Uesugi Shrine.

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