I have so far introduced stories of my maternal ancestors, Okikamuro Tomozawa Family. The other day I first attended the Kansai Kamuro Party annual meeting. I was sorry that nobody knew the family name Tomozawa, and I recognized the passage of time. Therefore, I would like to introduce Tomozawa people who are found on archives and maybe originated from Okikamuro.
The reason is uncertain why Soemon-Noriaki, the first son of Kanzaemon-Munemasa Ishizaki, used the family name Tomozawa when he was employed by Mohri clan. It might be related to the name ‘Akezawa Castle’ in Goko Island, Matsuyama, of which the load was his probable great grandfather Shirozaemon-Nichigyo Ishizaki.
As I described previously, descendants of Soemon-Noriaki was divided into two streams, Hagi-Tomozawa (Soemon Family) who served Mohri clan, and Okikamuro Tomozawa (Hikoshichi Family) who became Shoya (village chief) of Okikamuro later. There was a branch family of Okikamuro Tomozawa Family, descendants of Sobei who was supposed to be a younger brother of Hikoshichi VI. The name Tamematsu was found among successive heads of this family. In Towa Town History Book, the 15th chief priest of Hakuseiji temple was described as “Younger brother of Tamematsu Tomozawa,” who seems to be a member of this branch family.
In Towa Town History Book, there is a description about Yosobei Tomozawa, an official carpenter of Iyo-Matsuyama clan who emigrated from Okikamuro to Tononyu. The blood relation between Okikamuro Tomozawa head family and Yosobei and his live era are unknown. However, prosperity of his descendants in Tononyu and Matsuyama might have led to the present situation that relatively many people are using the family name Tomozawa in Yamaguchi and Ehime Prefectures. According to Towa Town History Book, the family name Tomozawa is found among supporters of Saikoji temple, Tononyu, which was begun to be used from Ansei 3rd (1856).
In Towa Town History Book, “Hanzaemon Tomozawa, the Keimaigata of Okikamuro” is also found. With Hikoshichi VIII, the Shoya of Okikamuro at that time, he invested for the development of saltpans in Komatsu by Choshu clan after the severe famine in Tempo period. “Keimaigata” were assistants of powerful village chiefs in Choshu clan. Therefore, he seems to be a member of a branch family, though the blood relation with Okikamuro Tomozawa head family is unknown.
“Hanzaburo Tomozawa from five villages of Okiura, Agenosho, and Okikamuro” was also found in Towa Town History Book, who was a farmer soldier of Choshu clan in Bunkyu 3rd (1863). The blood relation with Okikamuro Tomozawa head family is unknown as well. Although the name “Hanzaburo Tomozawa” is the same as that of the man who built a western-style dock for the first time in Japan in Meiji 15th (1882) in Kurahashi Island, Kure, Hiroshima, they do not seem to be identical person. The record of Hanzaburo Tomozawa in Kurahashi Island seems to be found in Kyowa period (1801-1804) for the first time as the master ship builder “Hanzaburo of Nuwaya.” The name Hanzaburo seems to be used by the family head for several generations. I think Hanzaburo Tomozawa in Kurahashi Island were descendants of the above mentioned Yosobei Tomozawa, an official carpenter of Iyo-Matsuyama clan, by following reasons: 1) Although belonging to Hiroshima clan, Kurahashi Island is relatively close to Suoh-Oshima by sea. 2) The style “Nuwaya” seems to be named after Nuwa Island in Matsuyama, which is located just east of Suoh-Oshima. 3) They were ship builders who have close business relationship with Choshu clan.
Thus, the family name Tomozawa seems to have spread from Okikamuro to surrounding islands. Tomozawa is still now a relatively rare family name. Tomozawa people, having some ancestral episodes, please make contact with me!
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