Chikamatsu Shigenori (近松 茂矩), military writer and tea ceremony enthusiast, was born in Owari Province (now Aichi prefecture) in 1695. His father, Chikamatsu Shigekiyo, was a retainer of the Tokugawa clan in Owari province. At the age of 17, Chikamatsu Shigenori was appointed as a page to the lord of Owari. Six months later the lord died and was replaced by his brother. Shigenori was subsequently demoted and put in charge of the stables and grooms at reduced pay.