Hirayama Seisai

Hirayama Seisai (1815–1890) was a Japanese samurai and Shinto priest during the late Edo period and early Meiji era. He was born in Mitsu, Fukushima, and at the age of 20, traveled to Edo (now Tokyo) to study Chinese literature, Japanese literature, and other subjects. In 1850, he became the adopted son of a government official and inherited his position. During the late Edo period, he served as a close advisor to the Tokugawa shogunate as a senior vassal. After the Meiji Restoration, he briefly retired from public life, but later became a Shinto priest and held various positions at shrines in Tokyo and Miyagi. In 1872, he founded the Shinto Taisei sect and served as its first head, he rallied for independence as a Shinto Sect in 1879, and gained it in 1882. During his tenure as president Mitake-kyo also gained independence He died on May 22, 1890. His writings include "The Truth of Our Sect" and "The True Method of Cultivating the Way."