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The Bakumatsu (幕末), literally translated without historical context as "Curtain Call", refers to the radical social movement which occurred at the end of the Edo period. Often translated as "the end of the Tokugawa shogunate", the Bakumatsu brought the end of the samurai caste's established dominance in the political world. It has no specific dates, but historians generally agree the rough time frame is 1853~1869.

Japan's political isolation for over a century was fueled by strict foreign trade and societal threats to Western thought. The First Opium War sparked reform, but American "black ships" fueled nationalism and division. The violent ideals led to riots and wars, exhausting resources. Emperor Meiji's ascension allowed European technology acceptance, establishing the Meiji period.

Ideologies[]

The Bakumatsu has several contrasting ideologies during its brief time period, many of which have been given simple terms by contemporary historians for recognition. These are the ones which appear frequently within Koei titles of the era.

  • Sakoku (鎖国, "Closed country") - The shogunate enforced strict travel regulations, dividing Japan into rich, middle class, and poor, and censored European practices. They also criticized European travelers and indigenous tribes, including the Ainu.
  • Sabaku (佐幕, "Pro-Shogunate, Assist shogunate") - Supporters sponsored by the Tokugawa shogunate who follow its practices prior to controversial imperial reform to lower the importance of the samurai caste. Military law enforcement throughout the social movement. Followers are not necessarily agreed on whether to accept or deny Western practices. Opposes royalty and revolutionaries.
  • Kinnou (勤王, "Pro-Emperor, Attend to royalty, Loyalists") - Supporters sponsored by the emperor and the imperial court. Pushes for the emperor's rule and lowering shogunate's status above all else. Accept Western practices once convinced it is beneficial for obtaining a stand on the country. Opposes shogunate and revolutionaries.
  • Sonnou-Joui (尊王攘夷, "Revere the emperor, expel the barbarians, Revolutionaries, Rioters, Extremists") - The mantra's meanings changed with American black ships, influenced by nationalists' fear of foreign acceptance, shogunate policies, and controversial issues, leading to group uprisings.
  • Toubaku (倒幕, "Overthrow the shogunate, Revolutionaries") - Displeasure with shogunate's policies similar to sonnou-joi. Unlike the sonnou-joi, this ideology stresses pacifistic and intellectual solutions to protest the shogunate. Properly uses the government's system to propose a new legislation. Open to European trade and thought. Followers are not necessarily employed by the government or emperor.
  • Joui (攘夷, "Exclusionism, Expel barbarians") - Ancient Chinese practice of accepting Western trade but not Western thought, used in Japan for centuries. Focused on beneficial aspects, criticized for flaws when Western technology overpowered feudal beliefs, remained during Meiji period.
  • Kaikoku (開国, "Open country") - The ideology promotes European acceptance in Japan, promoting innovation and reforming jurisdictions, rather than focusing solely on traditional values.

Ten Outstanding Heroes of the Restoration[]

The Ten Outstanding Heroes of the Restoration (維新の十傑, ishin no jukketsu) refers to individuals who supported the Meiji restoration, or the restoration of power for the emperor. Since it is a posthumous honorary title of sorts made up by historians and critics, the listing for these individuals varies on the source.

Yamawaki Yukihito lists samurai retainers:

  1. Ōkubo Toshimichi
  2. Saigō Takamori
  3. Komatsu Tatewaki
  4. Ōmura Masujirō
  5. Kido Takayoshi
  6. Maebara Issei
  7. Hirosawa Saneomi
  8. Etō Shimpei
  9. Yokoi Shōnan
  10. Iwakura Tomomi

Shōzo Kanazawa includes patriots and/or revolutionaries:

  1. Yoshida Shōin
  2. Rai Mikisaburō
  3. Arimura Jizaemon
  4. Takahashi Taichirō
  5. Kiyokawa Hachirō
  6. Tomobayashi Mitsuhira
  7. Hirano Kuniomi
  8. Sakuma Shōza
  9. Takasugi Shinsaku
  10. Sakamoto Ryōma

Three Outstanding Heroes of the Restoration[]

Out of the aforementioned ten, there were three nobles considered to be particularly influential. Again, this recognition was given to them posthumously.

  1. Kido Takayoshi
  2. Saigō Takamori
  3. Ōkubo Toshimichi

See also[]

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