Mōri Takachika

Mōri Takachika (毛利 敬親, March 5, 1819 – May 17, 1871) was the 13th daimyō of Chōshū Domain. He was later allowed to use a character from the name of shogun Tokugawa Ieyoshi and changed his name to Yoshichika (慶親). His domain was a traditional enemy of the Tokugawa shogunate, and he became a key player in its downfall during the Bakumatsu period.

He was the son of 12th daimyo Mōri Narimoto and a concubine.

He employed Murata Seifū, Tsuboi Kuemon and Sufu Masanosuke as reformers of the economy and administration in his domain.

Events during his reign include the Bombardment of Shimonoseki, the Ikedaya Incident, the Kinmon incident, the First Chōshū expedition and Second Chōshū expedition, the Satchō Alliance and the Boshin War.

He was also the first daimyo to return his lands to the Emperor during the abolition of the han system.