Demon and human.
Saturday, 15 December 2012
each passing day
As if to exploit the vacuum in Kyoto's security maintenance organization due to the restoration of imperial rule、conscious and unconscious demagoguery flooded the world like a dam、and the chaotic atmosphere in Kyoto City steadily spread day by day、but its situation was of course similar within the Tokugawa side.
"We need to immediately attack the Satsuma clan residence (in Kyoto) and remove the national bandits from around His Majesty the Emperor."
"We must also convey to His Majesty's loyal subjects throughout Japan that this is a time of national crisis、and we must mobilize the national army to Osaka Castle in large numbers.
Yes、we must take the initiative and take control of western Japan before our cunning enemy takes action."
As one would expect、such a thing did not happen among the Tokugawa Shogunate ministers and feudal lords、but the samurai on the Tokugawa side were now openly discussing it.
At this time、the Satsuma clan residence in Kyoto did not yet have enough troops to conduct military operations.
・・・・・・・・・
If they started using force to take control of Kyoto now、all the achievements we had made would be wiped out in an instant (now on the gate of his temporary residence near the imperial palace, there is a large graffiti that says "Ima(modern day) Shinzei").
"Tokugawa Yoshinobu's actions this time represent a truly huge and creditable endeavor to the Imperial Court.
The Imperial Court cannot hide its admiration for Yoshinobu after witnessing such an astonishing achievement.
The Imperial Court hopes that Yoshinobu will continue to assist the Imperial Court well in the future."
Iwakura's group hurriedly promulgated such "Emperor's" gratitude.
However、it is unclear how much time this bought for the anti-shogunate forces to build up their military in Kyoto.
・・・・・・・・・
"This is an extremely bad situation that could have a devastating impact on Japan's future."
Perhaps there was someone who thought that way from a different perspective on the current situation.
"I am resigning from my post as shogunate shogun."
Yoshinobu suddenly declared that.
"In any case、in this situation it is impossible to continue the current Japanese governance system.
Therefore、the Empire must establish a new governing system as soon as possible under the leadership of Tokugawa (this is the only way for Tokugawa to survive).
And this could never be done through war which would surely bring ruin to the empire."
Yoshinobu may have thought so.
Sunday, 16 December 2012
sculptured group of the pass
Although this was still done in secret、the Asano clan of Hiroshima notified Satsuma of their formal decision to dispatch troops to Kyoto together with Choshu.
The forces that were trying to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate by force had already begun to clearly demonstrate their intention.
"Please think of this as Lord Yoshinobu's will. We request your clan to immediately dispatch a unit to guard Osaka as soon as possible."
Such a request was made to the Tokugawa faction (supposedly) daimyo around the Kyoto area、such as the Ii clan in Hikone、the Tokugawa clan in Kishu、and the Matsudaira clan in Echizen、under the joint name of Tokugawa shogunate ministers.
"Ue-sama (Lord Yoshinobu) returned the government to the imperial court."
After a delay of about five days、this shocking news reached Edo City (the de facto capital of Japan)、the seat of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
For most people (of course、this includes not only samurai but also ordinary Edo citizens)、this may have been unexpected and sudden news.
Having said that、there is no way that the people of Edo did not feel indescribably anxious about the long-lasting political turmoil (Yoshinobu must have never returned to Edo since assuming the post of shogun).
With this sudden news、those fears suddenly became a reality、and the city of Edo became noisy and strange.
"This may be a good chance to drain the pus that has accumulated in the 300 years since the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate and reform politics."
Of course、some people had this opinion.
There is no doubt that this is a conspiracy、a power struggle、hatched by the cunning Satsuma and Choshu.
Lord Yoshinobu、who always respects righteousness、has fallen into the trap of these despicable fraudsters who will stop at nothing、along with His Majesty the Emperor.
"There is no doubt that this is a conspiracy、a power struggle、hatched by the cunning Satsuma and Choshu.
Lord Yoshinobu、who always respects righteousness、has fallen into the trap of these despicable fraudsters who will stop at nothing、along with His Majesty the Emperor.
Now is the time for us to return the favor we have received from the Tokugawa and the Imperial Court for generations."
"In recent years、Tokugawa's power had been dispersed between Edo and Kyoto.
This is the main reason why we have inadvertently weakened our power and allowed a group of fraudsters to act in such an arrogant manner.
We should all move to Kyoto now to join our forces and defeat these fraudsters once and for all."
However、this type of opinion centered on young samurai of the hatamoto class ended up dominating the entire discussion.
One by one、they (disorderly) began to hurriedly depart for Kyoto.
・・・・・・・・・
"At any rate、future policy will decide by all peoples discussions."
For the time being (in reality)、the Imperial Court notified daimyo across the country of a proclamation with this content.
"I am only a vassal of the Tokugawa shogun、and therefore I am a mere rear vassal to His Majesty the Emperor.
As such、I am not qualified to participate in that discussion.
I leave it to the discretion of the Tokugawa Shogun."
A considerable number of lords responded to the imperial court in this way (though the situation had changed dramatically before all responses were received).
※It would have been limited to event able to agree on a certain amount of 'crypto' in advance、such as fluctuations in the market price of rice、but it is said that information and communication between Osaka and Edo was carried out at an alarming speed (it may have only taken a few hours) using signals such as smoke and flags - I think it's about 500 kilometers away in a straight line. 2024042309:08(japan time).
Monday, 17 December 2012
butMatsudaira Katamori、lord of Aizu (Matsudaira was the former name of the Tokugawa clan).He was not originally from the Aizu Matsudaira family、but was born as the sixth son of the lord of the Mino Takasu clan (30,000 goku)、a branch clan of the Nagoya Tokugawa clan.He was probably brilliant since childhood、when he was 10 years old、he was adopted into the Aizu Matsudaira family、and at the age of 16(?)、he became the 9th lord of the Aizu Matsudaira clan.And in his late twenties、he was appointed to the post of Kyoto guardian of the Tokugawa shogunate.
"To begin with、we Aizu clan are completely ignorant about the situation in western Japan.We、like that、taking this position in Japan's current political climate is like voluntarily jumping into a fire、which is extremely dangerous.My lord should never accept this request."
When the Tokugawa Shogunate approached him with a request to assume the post of Kyoto Shugo、all senior retainers of the Aizu Matsudaira clan opposed the request.In fact、Katamori was not the first to receive this request; several feudal lords had already turned down the request.Of course、Katamori was fully aware of this fact and the dangers of assuming this position.
"The family motto of our Aizu Matsudaira family is to share our destiny with the Tokugawa head family."
However、he accepted this request.
※According to one theory、at this time、he wept along with his senior vassals as he thought of the tragic fate that would befall the Aizu clan in the future. 2024042312:29 (japan time).
・・・・・・・・・
Five years have passed since then.During this time、the Shinsengumi also joined them、and they did a good job of protecting the security of Kyoto.
However、a while ago、Katamori became unwell and attempted to resign、saying、"With such a state of health、I would not be able to fulfill my duties as Kyoto Shugo".
"Who else can protect the security of now Kyoto other than you？"But、the Tokugawa shogunate never granted his request to resign.
And now、the power to govern Japan has been returned to the Imperial Court from the Tokugawa Shogun.The dangerous atmosphere in Kyoto was growing day by day、and it seemed to the people of Kyoto that it would soon spread to all of Japan.
"Now、the Taisei was returned to the Imperial Court.From now on、under the patronage of His Majesty the Emperor、the Japanese people will come together as one and move forward in building a new empire.Under such circumstances、we think it would be bad for the mind of the Japanese people、and above all for you、if you、who have unexpectedly become symbols of the previous era、continue to stay in Kyoto？"Some Tokugawa shogunate ministers implicitly asked the Aizu clan to leave Kyoto.
"What does that mean？"But Katamori rejected it.
Matsudaira Katamori、lord of Aizu (Matsudaira was the former name of the Tokugawa clan).
He was not originally from the Aizu Matsudaira family、but was born as the sixth son of the lord of the Mino Takasu clan (30,000 goku)、a branch clan of the Nagoya Tokugawa clan.
He was probably brilliant since childhood、when he was 10 years old、he was adopted into the Aizu Matsudaira family、and at the age of 16(?)、he became the 9th lord of the Aizu Matsudaira clan.
And in his late twenties、he was appointed to the post of Kyoto guardian of the Tokugawa shogunate.
"To begin with、we Aizu clan are completely ignorant about the situation in western Japan.
We、like that、taking this position in Japan's current political climate is like voluntarily jumping into a fire、which is extremely dangerous.
My lord should never accept this request."
When the Tokugawa Shogunate approached him with a request to assume the post of Kyoto Shugo、all senior retainers of the Aizu Matsudaira clan opposed the request.
In fact、Katamori was not the first to receive this request; several feudal lords had already turned down the request.
Of course、Katamori was fully aware of this fact and the dangers of assuming this position.
"The family motto of our Aizu Matsudaira family is to share our destiny with the Tokugawa head family."
However、he accepted this request.
※According to one theory、at this time、he wept along with his senior vassals as he thought of the tragic fate that would befall the Aizu clan in the future. 2024042312:29 (japan time).
・・・・・・・・・
Five years have passed since then.
During this time、the Shinsengumi also joined them、and they did a good job of protecting the security of Kyoto.
However、a while ago、Katamori became unwell and attempted to resign、saying、"With such a state of health、I would not be able to fulfill my duties as Kyoto Shugo".
"Who else can protect the security of now Kyoto other than you？"
But、the Tokugawa shogunate never granted his request to resign.
And now、the power to govern Japan has been returned to the Imperial Court from the Tokugawa Shogun.
The dangerous atmosphere in Kyoto was growing day by day、and it seemed to the people of Kyoto that it would soon spread to all of Japan.
"Now、the Taisei was returned to the Imperial Court.
From now on、under the patronage of His Majesty the Emperor、the Japanese people will come together as one and move forward in building a new empire.
Under such circumstances、we think it would be bad for the mind of the Japanese people、and above all for you、if you、who have unexpectedly become symbols of the previous era、continue to stay in Kyoto？"
Some Tokugawa shogunate ministers implicitly asked the Aizu clan to leave Kyoto.
"What does that mean？"
But Katamori rejected it.
