Monument to Omura Hikoemon Sumikatsu

Monument to Omura Hikoemon Sumikatsu

Omura Hikoemon Sumikatsu (1567–1659) served as a senior retainer to four generations of the Omura family, and is credited with saving the line from ending in the early seventeenth century.
For his loyalty, the family granted the Omura name and crest to Sumikatsu and his descendants in 1620.

Sumikatsu is believed to have started serving the Omura family around age 14 and is said to have fought in his first battle at age 16.
Later he was promoted to become a senior retainer.
Omura Sumiyori (1591–1619) became the second lord of Omura in 1615 but he died suddenly of an illness, without an official successor.
Sumiyori had not registered the birth of his only son Suminobu, a child born to a concubine.
Under the Tokugawa shogunate (1603–1867), not producing a legitimate heir, or not reporting a birth or marriage, was a punishable offense.
Samurai families deemed guilty of such infractions could lose their titles and stipends.
With Sumiyori’s untimely death, the Omura family suddenly found themselves in danger of losing their position and lands.

Sumikatsu saved the family through deception.
He is said to have concealed Sumiyori’s death from the shogunate long enough to send a letter, purportedly written by Sumiyori.
In the letter, the lord claimed to be gravely ill, and that he had adopted Suminobu as his heir.
When the shogunate recognized Suminobu, the Omura line was saved.
Sumikatsu served the family as a trusted advisor into his 80s.