The history of the Miyazaki family in Arao dates back to 1647, at the start of the Edo period, when Yajihei Miyazaki moved to Arao from present-day Saga Prefecture. The family were lower-ranking samurai who were granted the status of ichiryo ippiki by the Hosokawa domain of Higo. They resided in Arao and were expected to fight as samurai in times of war. Unlike other lower-ranking samurai, the Miyazaki family was also responsible for gathering intelligence. Being on the border with Saga, and with Nagasaki—the diplomatic gateway of Japan—located across the Ariake Sea, Arao was an ideal location for gathering information. It was this environment that led to the emergence of the forward-thinking Miyazaki brothers.