Wakita Naokata

Wakita Naokata (脇田 直賢, 1585 - 1660) was a samurai from Joseon who served Maeda clan in the early Edo period. He was one of the most successful samurai from Korea who was promoted to Commissioner of Kanazawa city.

He was born in Hanseong, and his original name was Kim Yeocheol (金如鉄). He was the son of 金時省, the official of Joseon government. In 1592, his father was killed during Bunroku no eki. After Hanseong had been captured by Japanese army, Yeocheol was taken prisoner by the troop of Ukita Hideie. He was brought to Nagoya castle, then Okayama. He was raised by Hideie’s wife Gō in Okayama. Next year, Gō went to Kanazawa and met her brother Maeda Toshinaga. Toshinaga’s wife, Eihime was so pleased with her attendant Yeolcheol that decided to raise him in Kanazawa.

He was named Kyūbei, and served Toshinaga as page who was given 230 koku. In 1605, he was adopted by the Wakita family (retainer of Maeda clan) through the good offices of Eihime, and changed his name Wakita Naokata. He performed distinguished services in Siege of Osaka, and was given 1000 koku as reward. He was promoted smoothly in Kaga domain. Finally, he became Kanazawa machi bugyo (金沢町奉行）, the commissioner of Kanazawa city.

His father was Yangban, Scholar-official of Joseon dynasty. Naokata also displayed his literal talent. He was one of the most prominent master of Renga in Kaga at the time, and had through knowledge of The Tale of Genji and Kokin Wakashū . Gyokusen-en, the Japanese garden in Kanazawa was built by successive heads of Wakita family from Naokata to fourth head, Kyubei. The name of the garden was taken from benefactor of Naokata, Eihime. She became Buddhist nun and changed the name Gyokusen-in in 1614. It is said that Naokata was kakure kirishitan. He erected a stone lantern with the Virgin Mary engraved in itself in Gyokusen-en. In his later years, he became a Buddhist priest and changed his name Jotetsu (如鉄), using same Chinese characters of his original name.