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Family
Kusaka Genzui was born in Hagi in 1840, to
Kusaka Yoshimichi, a han physician of 25 Koku. Even though the Kusaka
family was 7th of the 17 samurai ranks in Choshu, they were modestly
compensated.
Kusaka was the 2nd of two boys. His brother
Genki was a widely known follower of Western medicine and was well-regarded
as a translator of books. His contributions to medicine in Japan included
the introduction into Choshu of western techniques for combatting smallpox.
Both brother and father died in 1854, leaving
Genzui as the sole male representative of his family.
Education
Kusaka, as a child, attended
his neighborhood grammar school -- the same one that Takasugi
Shinsaku himself attended.
After that, he studied privately
under the Buddhist priest Gessho -- who was friend of both Yoshida
Shoin and Sufu Masanosuke. What Gessho taught Kusaka was not specified,
but it is known that he recommended that the young Kusaka furthered
his studies at the Sonjuku.
Kusaka instead elected to continue
his studies at the clan's school, the Meirinkan.
In 1856, Genzui traveled through
Kyushu as part of his education. During the journey, he met Miyabe Teizo,
who also encourages study at the Sonjuku with Yoshida. In June 1856,
Kusaka finally sought admission at the Sonjuku, and spent two years
at the Sonjuku.
Reportedly, Kusaka was much
admired by other students. (See notes from Takasugi's profile.)
Prior to his sendoff to Edo in 1858, where he had been approved to study,
the students at the Sonjuku celebrated. Forty-two poems were offered
by his fellow students, and the instructor himself addressed the group.
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