Maeda clan
Maeda Toshinari was born the fifth son of the former "daimyō" of Nanokaichi Domain in Kozuke province (modern Tomioka city, Gunma Prefecture), Maeda Toshiaki. He was adopted as heir to the main branch of the Maeda clan in 1900. He became marquis and the 16th head of the Maeda clan on 13 June 1900. His childhood name was Shigeru (茂).