strongest

In addition to the maritime attack，Tokugawa launched an attack from three directions to Choshu.
Its main force was advancing along the Seto Inland Sea from Osaka.
Of course，strongest army of Tokugawa was responsible.

Well，era of Sekigahara (1600), they would have been strongest surely.
Middle of the 19th century，that's strongest samurais clashed with national army of Choshu.
And they was crushed.

Satsuma had expressed already their opposition to this war.
Movement against Tokugawa also came to the fore in Hiroshima of next to Choshu.

Choshu remain dominant，this Front became a stalemate.

・・・・・・・・・
　
At the front of the Sea of Japan side，Choshu was clearly predominant.
This Front had meaning flank attack for Tokugawa.
Lords of that land had been ordered to attack Choshu.
But there was no fighting spirit in them originally against Choshu as with Hiroshima.
(Hiroshima was positive from the beginning to Choshu.)

More than anything，all information that reached to them. 　
It was the defeat of the Tokugawa.
　
They continued to retreat.

・・・・・・・・・
　
Did not expect anyone (including Choshu)，it was Tokugawa's backfoot of unilateral.　
　
”Japan's military defeat to one region.
That's bad."
The UK had doubts about the ability of the Tokugawa reign already.
　
There is Kokura across the strait of the Shimonoseki of Choshu.
Tokugawa ministers arrived there as commander.
　

outbreak of war

Negotiation of the Tokugawa and Choshu finally broke down.
At first，Tokugawa had attacked to Oshima island of Setouchi sea of east side of Choshu.
Tokugawa did occupation here with ease and became Tokugawa naval base.
　
”Oshima island abandon.”
There was also strategic direction of Choshu from beginning.
　
・・・・・・・・・

”Do not tell that man.
Because do not know what he to do."　
　
When negotiation with Tokugawa broke down，there was a remark like that inside Choshu government.
That man was Takasugi Shinsaku.
But he became know.　
　
By the way，he had been bought a small steamboat without permission.
(He did not think payment at all.)
He named that ship "Otentosama maru".
Meaning of Otentosama(kids say so) maru is ship of sun.
　
"We will recapture the Oshima island."
He went to Oshima island on only small ship.
At that time，Tokugawa warships were at full on Oshima island.
But they did not think Choshu will attack with only small steamboat.
　
Night, institutions of warships had stopped.
Became a complete surprise attack.
　
Takasugi continued shelling from close range.　
Tokugawa navy was became chaos.
After that，platoon of Kiheitai did landing to Oshima island.　
They did recaptured Oshima island.
　
・・・・・・・・・
　
"Fight the invasion of Tokugawa by all people of Choshu."
There was such a proclamation at before war.
Feudal era was over already.　
　

as an aside

As an aside.
After a successful coup d'etat，Takasugi escaped from choshu with lover.
This is because his life was in danger by a sudden change in policy.

"This world will never be funny.
However，I will be funny."
Incidentally，this is the clause of when his died.
　
”The regime did recapture.
Therefore I try to do something different.”

After a successful coup d'etat，Takasugi was trying to study in the UK.
　
・・・・・・・・・
　
As an aside.
When Sakamoto was attacked by Tokugawa at Teradaya.
Sakamoto lover lived here.
She informed the crisis to Sakamoto at first.
After that, Sakamoto escaped.
　
If he did die here that was no wonder as the situation.
However， here without dying、he died later.
This time period.
Maybe there was a meanings.
　
Eventually，Sakamoto was protected in Satsuma mansion.
He had injured.
　
Although it would be unusual at that time，his lover came for nursing and married.
Although it also would be unusual at that time，they were accompanied to Saigo's Satsuma return.
They was stayed at home of Saigo for a while.
They also did traveled around Satsuma.
　
This is said to be Japan's first honeymoon.

endorsement

After the conclusion of the alliance，Katsura had requested to Sakamoto the endorsement to the certificate of alliance of Choshu side.

"The terms of this alliance is never lie.”
I do not know how much it is worth，Sakamoto did written endorsement to the alliance between the national as an individual.

Katsura went back to Choshu
Sakamoto also went back to Teradaya of inn of his hiding place in Kyoto.

He was attacked by Tokugawa at there.
Needless to say，this attack was police activity from the point of view of Tokugawa.

There was a rumor of the approach of Choshu and Satsuma already.
But they were not able to interfere with the Satsuma.
They therefore tried to arrest Sakamoto for grasp the whole picture.

Sakamoto injured but he barely escaped.
Satsuma was protect him to Satsuma mansion.

・・・・・・・・・

By the way，Sakamoto had a pistol of Takasugi’s gift.
And he fired against officials of Tokugawa at this time.
　
After a while，he was assassinated.
It is said that the criminal was organization of Tokugawa.


"Tokugawa should also participate to the new government."
But finally Sakamoto became think like that.
It might be able to say deny of the revolution.
So motive to assassinate him was also to an ally.
Therefore there is a theory Sakamoto was assassination by Satsuma.

However，after the incident of Teradaya，Sakamoto was penal code offenses from the point of view of Tokugawa.
(Sakamoto had shot and killed one person.)

There was reason Tokugawa try to kill him.

approved

After heard the preparedness of Katsura，Sakamoto went to Satsuma side for negotiation alone.
By the way Sakamoto was under the aegis of Satsuma at the time.

"Sakamoto was merely one of spy of Satsuma."
There is a theory that.

Thing that have left just as the facts of history.
Sakamoto went alone to Satsuma side.
After that Satsuma moved.
Satsuma proposed an alliance from them to Choshu.
Finally Satsuma-Choshu secret alliance was approved under presence of Sakamoto.

・・・・・・・・・

If the war began with Tokugawa.
Satsuma increase the number of troops in Kyoto and Osaka because restrain Tokugawa.

Case in advantageous of the war situation of Choshu，Satsuma propose the release of ”Enemy of Emperor” to Emperor.

Case in disadvantageous of the war situation of Choshu，also Satsuma strive  for Choshu until the end.

If did not the war with Tokugawa.
Needless to say，Satsuma propose the release of ”Enemy of Emperor” to Emperor.
　
If Tokugawa interfere it，we prepare for battle with Tokugawa in cooperation.
　
If Choshu will release of ”Enemy of Emperor”，of course we strive for Japan in cooperation.
　
・・・・・・・・・
　
After all，this alliance decided Japan's fate to the present.
Also this alliance decided Aizu's fate.
Both Satsuma and Aizu had subjected to hatred of Choshu until now.
Because give the impression of a mastermind，Choshu's hate might was strong to Satsuma than Aizu.　
However，after this，all Choshu’s hatred was directed to Aizu.　

no regrets

"I think so."
Katsura replied to Sakamoto.
　
"However，situation of the Choshu now that was not established in a short period of time.
Upon this crisis，Choshu aimed to efforts for Japan.
But we were unable to accomplish it and became called the enemy of Emperor eventually.
Choshu was orphaned.
And just now，troops of all Japan are trying to rush to Choshu.
Of course，this was due to the lack of ability of us.
　
Conversely Satsuma are near Emperor.
They are also not a bad relationship with Tokugawa.
Of course, also with other lords.
　
Choshu now, all of that is the enemy.
We located at the extremity of the jaws of death.
If invite Satsuma from us，we will  become inviting them to the dead.
Satsuma is not a situation that must be it.

I'm going back to Choshu and fight with Tokugawa.
Maybe Choshu become defeats and perish.

However，Satsuma remains.
I believe Satsuma would efforts for Japan.
If this is the case，Choshu not regret even perish."

・・・・・・・・・　
　
"I want to disappear like snow."
While ago，when katura was hiding in Izushi，he said so to friend of there.
(Katsura’s supporter.)
　
”No regrets even if it kills me.”
Such a man was declare so.
　
　

why

katsura arrived to Kyoto and they went into the discussion of the alliance.
After a while，Sakamoto also came to Kyoto.
　
By the way，you may seem Sakamoto came to kyoto easily.　
But after this he was almost caught by Tokugawa.　
Maybe he was being monitored from the beginning.
Their actions were risk of life always.　
(Katsura had a strict guard of Satsuma at this time.)　
　
When Sakamoto visited Katsura in Satsuma mansion，he was about to just go back to Choshu.

”What was the content of the alliance?”
Sakamoto asked.

”We did not have until the end any discussion about the alliance."
"What?"

"We did not have any discussion until the end.
I came to Kyoto from me for meet to Satsuma.
Certainly they gave me welcome.
But they did not have any suggestion from them about the alliance until the end.
Nothing.
　
First，Choshu came to kyoto.　
I think should speak from Satsuma.
Otherwise there is no face of Choshu.
I had better go back to choshu than still here.”
　
”Do you still have said such a thing.”
Sakamoto said angrily.
　
"We made an effort certainly for the alliance between the two countries.
But it's not for the two countries.
It's only for the future of Japan.

We believe Satsuma-Choshu Alliance is required surely to Japan.
Nevertheless，the two countries has been only care about their own pride.
　
Why you guys do think only of own country?
Why you guys do not think the future of Japan?”

determined

Katsura returned to Choshu.

”I believe Choshu's situation can not internal conflict."
He patiently persuaded opponents.
Takasugi also came back to Choshu after the internal situation calm.
In this situation, Katsura and Takasugi power struggle happen likely.

However，there was no upward mobility in the Takasugi.
Katsura became a central figure naturally.
　
Of course，Takasugi was strongly conscious ”I'm upper class in Choshu samurai”.
Era of feudalism，Takasugi therefore did not need have upward mobility.
There is a its possibility.
(Definitely，Japan's feudalism was destroyed by him at first.)
　
Above all，Takasugi died of tuberculosis soon.
Maybe，he knew own death at this time.
　
One more thing.
Macher highest escaped unexpectedly with lover and came back unconcernedly.
Of course, it should be a problem.
　
"Takasugi is such a person.”
It seems like that ended only it.

・・・・・・・・・
　
After this，they were aimed alliance with Satsuma.
There was as a visit denial of Saigo but alliance talks continued.
There were also activitie of Sakamoto and Nakaoka.
　
”Satsuma strictly escort at Kyoto.”　
Finally Katsura’s secret visit to Satsuma mansion of Kyoto for concluding an alliance was determined.
　
For historical reasons，Katsura did reluctant to go to Kyoto at first.　
However，invasion of Tokugawa to choshu begin soon surely.
It was expected.
Katsura went to Kyoto.　
　

everyone must wake up from the dream someday

"Macher highest escaped with lover."
While the expected invasion of Tokugawa，Choshu was confused.

”Katsura seems alive.”
At the same time，such a rumor had spread to Choshu.
Katsura Kogoro of Choshu samurai.

He was an activist from the same time with Sakamoto.
Their relationship also was good.
Katsura was one of the representatives of their group of Choshu.
However，he had distance from radical action.

When Choshu send troops to Kyoto, he was in Kyoto.
To avoid combat, he worked desperately.
But battle begun eventually, Choshu was defeated.
He was missing.

There is Izushi on 100 km northwest of Kyoto.
He was in hiding there as the owner of a small shop.
He seemed waiting for ”chance” in there.
But this might be not the case.

He was making a living in its shops.
He was also accepted to the residents.　
Of course they did not know the identity of the Katsura with the exception of some. 　

”Katsura Kogoro of Choshu samurai.
It is all a dream.
Before now and after now.　
When I wake up eye，there is a normal life to me as the owner of a small shop.”

Choshu are on the verge of survival now.
That information was sent to him already.

”Katsura Kogoro of Choshu samurai.
It is all a dream."
However，he did not move at first.

・・・・・・・・・

By the way there is a story of ”Sleeping Beauty”.
Everyone must wake up from the dream someday.

I do not know the trigger of his wake up.
But he awoke from a dream of normal life as the owner of a small shop.
After this，he lived reality life as Revolutionary Katsura Kogoro.

He become one of the three persons who most important figures of the new government named ”Kido Takayoshi”.

i escape

”If escape is possible，I want escape.”
Everyone might had thought so.
So，hatred to the man who tried to escape were terrible like case of Kondo.

Here time is back a little.

"I escape.”
After said so，there were guys who escaped.
That was Takasugi and Ito.

They had a successful coup.
They therefore were at the helm of Choshu.
At that point，they did escaped.

・・・・・・・・・


”We should do open of Shimonoseki port to Western countries."
After coup was success，there was such proposal from Ito.


"We request to you open this port."
Previously，There was a request like that from Western countries.

”We should proposal to them from us.
Because benefit by it is always greater.”

Takasugi agreed to this proposal of Ito.
They were originally forefront of Western attack
However，they had completely changed course in reverse.　
However，there was no contradiction among them.
However，there was contradiction except them.
　
”Traitor.”
They were subject to assassination.
In fact，Inoue was seriously injured by their attacked.
(There also seems to had issue of the interests of the Western trade.)

”I'll do even at the risk of my lives.”
　
While ago，the man who had raising an army with 60 people said so.
It was not.

"I do not want to be killed by such people.
I escape.
You also escape."

After Takasugi said so，he escaped from Choshu with lover.
I do not know why，Takasugi escaped to Osaka of the enemy's base ground.
He was almost found at there by Tokugawa，he hastily fled to Shikoku with lover.

hard feelings

There were signs.
Osaka was Tokugawa's army stationed.
A large-scale riot occurred at there.
Because inflation had exceeded the limit.

Also many lords were reluctant to send troops.
Above all，Satsuma of mainstay of the previous was showed disapproval.

Until a little while ago，it was a situation that is not to be expected.
Go against to Tokugawa，it meant the destruction of themselves.
And Choshu popularity was rising among the people.

Also different movement had begun in Tosa.
De facto lords of Tosa.
He was very intelligent and also liked control of vassal.

　
"If this state continuing，Tosa must left behind in the times."
Those who think so in the young people of the upper class of samurai came out.
There was also approach of Nakaoka.　

"Tosa also should participate to battlefront against Tokugawa."
He did not give up think by position as person of Tosa.
Sakamoto was conversely，did not think too much about Tosa.

”I don't care about Tosa.”
Maybe he had a kind of thought like that.
Sakamoto was one of the earliest activists.
When he stayed in Tosa，he had not obtaining hope
He therefore dashed out Tosa.
　
Most comrades from that time，they were killed by the government of Tosa.　
Best friend also was killed.　
However，he made his own company at Nagasaki.　
　
Until now Tosa was unsympathetic to him and he was also proud that laid his position by himself.
In fact，by this time "Sakamoto" had been recognized as "Sakamoto”.　
　
”I 'm able to live without the title of Tosa.”　
At this time，he might had become a obstinacy little strange.
　
So，the presence of Nakaoka was great for Sakamoto.
It is not because it was assassinated together，the two had a good relationship that complement each other.
　
When concluded of the alliance of Choshu and Satsuma.
That relationship was most accurately represented. 　
　

it was impossible

Kondo became samurai class.
Of course，it is because his ability was observed.
He also married in Kobe and eldest son was born.
This is ordinary marriage，he was trying to get the happiness of the ordinary as a promising young man.
　
But his all was changed by political change.
Katsu of his mentor was downfall.
He was parting with family and moved to Nagasaki along with Sakamoto.
　
After this he would lived with worry about the monitoring of Tokugawa under the protection of Satsuma.
　
"Was not this supposed."
He might had sometimes think so.
However，all things was not bad.
Saigo visits Choshu，alliance of Choshu and Satsuma seems become realized.
　
　
"Saigo refused to visit Choshu.”
When he got to know that fact，also the purge information of Tosa would have came to him.
Shortly before，main person of Tosa was killed everyone as a political prisoner.
I think this oppression was severe.
Even though it was not a direct relationship，I think a lot of people had been suspected.
　
Doctor of Tosa named ”Nagaoka Kenkichi.”
The man who later become Sakamoto’s secretary and inherit Sakamoto's organization after his death.
　
During this period he also had escaped the Tosa.
I do not know he had met with Kondo at this time.
In either case，I think Kondo had know well current state of the Tosa.
　
"A promising young man became like person of robbery arson."

Information of arrival to kyoto of Tokugawa's king also would have came into him.
Finally Tokugawa's invasion against Choshu begins.
　
He was the man who had aspired to study originally.
If Kondo had born after a little more，he would was able to studying in the UK without any problems.
Even in this era，if Kondo had born to samurai of Tokugawa or Satsuma，he would was able to studying in the UK.
He was man excellent enough to be it.
He also had a family already.
　
”From the beginning，it was impossible.”　
　

success in life

If Kondo had born after a little more，he would was able to study abroad in the UK without any problems.
Even in this era，if Kondo had born to samurai of Tokugawa or Satsuma，he would was able to study abroad in the UK.
He was man excellent enough to be it.

However，he was born as a child of this era townspeople of Tosa.
Sakamoto had known from that time.
He had become belong to a group of Sakamoto that was some sort inevitable.

By the way，Ronin of around this time，there were many things that were not originally samurai class.
Of course they had a sword, and had their own surname.
But it was a violation of the law.　
Because it was rights of only samurai.

But Kondo’s "Kondo" was not a self-proclaimed.
He was recognized his talent to the lord of Tosa.
　
"With a sword
Claiming the surname."
After this，this two points，he was allowed.
　
Incidentally，this two points.
”As long as one generation.” (There was permanence rarely.)
Lords had allowed as a reward to the people's achievements under one's dominion.
　
Kondo therefore may have had a different feeling with his comrades to Tosa’s lord.
(This lord was retirement status but lord de facto.)

More than anything，although they of Kobe had put a little distance，his belongs group had been at the helm of Tosa.
Tosa was the center of political of Kyoto with Choshu.　
Dispute with Tokugawa had not happened yet.
He became samurai and also became students of the school of Tokugawa.
　
"Success in life.”
He may had also have such a dream.
　
Political change.
Everything was worsened.
　

study abroad

”Satsuma does not abandon intention of the alliance with Choshu.”
Choshu believed  that word，decided to send two people to Nagasaki who returned from the United Kingdom.　
It's for the purchase of arms in the name of Satsuma.　
At that time direct negotiation of Choshu was prohibited.
Intermediary was to be performed by Sakamoto’s company of Nagasaki.
Sakamoto was also the originator of this plan.

Another person with Ito，named "Inoue Monta"
They sneaked into Nagasaki.

Near to Oura Church，British merchant named ”Thomas Blake Glover” lived.

Of course，that ambient would have been covered by Tokugawa's spy monitoring.
There was also a good pretext as  ”escort” of Oura Church.

But they were able to receive assistance of Satsuma samurai in Nagasaki.
They negotiated with Glover，were successful in the purchase of a large number of weapons.

・・・・・・・・・
　
One incident happened here.
Tosa Ronin of Sakamoto’s company named ”Kondo Chojiro”.
He mainly mediated this negotiations.
(Sakamoto was absent for concluded activity of alliance.)　

He went to Choshu along with the purchased steam ship.
And he had an audience to Choshu lord.
　
"You do not have to worry.
Before this Tokugawa was taken in by the Choshu.
However，This time Tokugawa would thoroughly destroy Choshu.
And this mayhem will over."
　

He also might had been thought so.
Reward of this achievement of the company.
Using it，he decided to study abroad in the UK.
He was the man who had aspired to study originally.
Opportunity of study abroad in the UK had come to him.　
　
However，this was a secret to all company comrade.
(Sakamoto also included.)
This plan proceeded to secretly.
Finally Kondo got on the ship heading to the UK at Nagasaki.
But storm came.
Departure was canceled and Kondo went back to the town of Nagasaki.

He did found to comrade on there and he did harakiri.

face

”I do not know why.”
Nakaoka said so.
But，reason may have been present there.

Next day of he said so.
King of Tokugawa had arrived in Kyoto.
Of course，as commander in chief of Choshu Subjugation Army.
　
"End the mayhem by this."
This was intended to show the determination of Tokugawa.　
　
And therefore，Saigo maybe had to proceeding to the capital in a hurry.
Political move of Kyoto had been anticipated by the arrival of the king.　
　
Last time, Saigo was the chief of the General Staff.
Idea of destroy Choshu，Satsuma abandoned it already.
They wanted to avoid political blank of the presence of Satsuma.　

Of course they would had known the arrival to Kyoto of the king from the beginning.
Maybe they were also starting to kyoto accordingly.
(They might had not talk to Nakaoka about this as state secrets.)
 　
・・・・・・・・・　
　
Face.
　
"If visit the Choshu from us，seems to ask the alliance to Choshu from Satsuma.
First is very essential，we don't want subordinate to them."　
Simply it may have been just that.
Because this is like an idiot，but this feeling continues until the concluded of the alliance.　
　
"Saigo did not come to Choshu certainly.
But they want the alliance with Choshu certainly."
Nakaoka said so.
　
This 10 days ago，mastermind of the coup did harakiri at tosa he was a close friend of Sakamoto and master of Nakaoka.
That fact might have been reached to Choshu.
Many comrade were killed with him.　
　
Nakaoka and Sakamoto had continued to negotiate of alliance.
　

luck

There was Goushi of Tosa named ”Nakaoka Shintaro”.
Of course he was the same group as Sakamoto.
But he stayed in Tosa and became a member of the Guard of before lord of Tosa.
　
This before lord was Tosa's lord of de facto.
However，he was assassinated his prime minister and had been deprived of real power at this point.
This Guards might be like Jailer by his point of view.
And political changes had occurred in Kyoto.


Maybe in usually case，Nakaoka had been dead at this time.
Because Tosa's purge of after this was terrible.
However，he was out from Tosa by chance.
He became such a state like exile in Choshu and participated in the battle of Kyoto.

Nobody know the luck of a person.
After this he became person representing Tosa with Sakamoto.
By the way，these two people was assassinated together.
But two persons idea was completely different.


In short，Nakaoka’s idea was "victory or defeat".
Nakaoka claims only a war against Tokugawa.
Sakamoto's idea was ”do our best for future of Japan”.

That said，their relationship was not necessarily bad.
Above all，both of them did not like the conspiracy and assassination.

"If Satsuma and Choshu do cooperation，win surely to the Tokugawa.
We can work in a neutral position.
Tosa Ronin have to do is to work for it."　
　

Nakaoka had a strong conviction.
He consulted with Sakamoto and began activities to realization of the alliance.

Choshu and Satsuma also knew well the importance of the alliance.
More than anything，Tokugawa military invasion to Choshu was imminent
Eventually  Saigo's secret visit to Choshu was determined.

However，Saigo did not come to choshu on the day of the appointment.

They certainly departed satsuma by ship with Nakaoka.
Then they left Nakaoka in the opposite shore and went directly to Kyoto.

"We was taken in by the Satsuma again.”
Choshu was cold fury.

what doing now

Satsuma was aiming to reform the system of Japan along with the Tokugawa at first.
"After all，our cooperation only helps to strengthen the power of the Tokugawa.”

Negation of the idea of feudalism was exist in the leaderships of Satsuma already.
Of course there was a presence of the UK as a model of a modern constitutional monarchy.

Speaking of which，previously Katsu visited the United States before as diplomatic envoy.

"America was what country?"
After returning home，his boss asked so.

"Japan's opposite，boss is clever than subordinates.”
He replied so.
　
Incidentally，anyone of them not bad.
Feudal era.
Boss was boss from before his born.
Subordinates was subordinates from before his born.
That was determined so.　

The scene changes.
One occasion，Sakamoto asked to Katsu.
　
"What doing now the descendants of the first president?"
Maybe Tokugawa Ieyasu of first king of Tokugawa had in his mind.
　
"I don't know. Because anyone do not care such a thing."
Katsu replied so.
　
"Japan should become so."
Sakamoto seemed very impressed to this answer.

・・・・・・・・・

Back to topic.
Satsuma did began to aspire to change the system of Japan rather than reform.
But case of only Satsuma it was impossible.
Possibility to cooperate of Satsuma and Choshu came out here.

To put it simply，total of substantially economic strength of the two countries were comparable to Tokugawa.
If the two countries to cooperate，fight with Tokugawa was possible for the first time.

But there was a big issue between the two countries.
　
The political change that ousted Choshu from Kyoto.
It took place at the initiative of Satsuma.
Subsequently there was always the presence of Satsuma.
Thereby，many people of Choshu died.
　
”Cooperate.”
Even if Satsuma said so，Choshu did not trust Satsuma.
Above all，they had a grudge against Satsuma.　
　

Satuma also had suspicions to choshu.
"Choshu is only trying to supersede to Tokugawa.
They just want power.”

vigilantes

Vigilantes were organized around the Nagasaki officials children.
At that time，Ronin was not able to stay in Kyoto because Choshu did defeat.
Maybe many Ronin had come to Nagasaki like Sakamoto.
So,deterioration in the security situation of Nagasaki might have been feared.


"Shinsengumi did prevent terrorism and kept the peace in Kyoto."

By the way，Shinsengumi was not known until now but suddenly they became famous.
The central figure of Shinsengumi was ”Kondo Isami” and ”Hijikata Toshizo”.
They were farmers of Tama near Edo.

"They're certainly swordsman but they're not samurai.
We can become famous by ability as a swordsman.
That era has come.”

Maybe there was also a longing for the Shinsengumi to their.
Anyway，maintaining security of Nagasaki is rely on only samurai.
That era was over.

・・・・・・・・・
　
”Not long ago，Nagasaki was not a town like this.”
However，many people would have been worry so in reality.　
In fact Kyoto was devastated become a battlefield.
　
Just around this time，dispatch of Tokugawa's second conquest army to Choshu had been determined.
　
"You do not have to worry.
Before this Tokugawa was taken in by the Choshu.
However，This time Tokugawa would thoroughly destroy Choshu.
And this mayhem will over."
　
May have made some people talk so.
　
But events that appear on the surface is not everything.　
Satsuma was a mainstay of previous conquest against Choshu.
Negotiation of secret alliance of that Satsuma and choshu was followed.　
　
One of its important stage was Nagasaki.　

monitored

Sakamoto founded the company in Nagasaki with the aid of the Satsuma.
(It is said that Japan's first modern company.)
Many comrade of Kobe era had joined to this company.
Their salary comes from the Satsuma.
　
”I can not eat at this low pay.”
However，some person was complaining so.

I look at the amount of their salary，did not think poorly paid.
Maybe，rise in prices may have been extreme in all around japan.
I think quality of the gold coins in circulation had fallen already.

But more than anything，important for them was the protection of the Satsuma.
They were mainly Tosa ronin.
At that time，They had been considered political criminal suspect by Tosa of homeland.

Since the battle at Kyoto，Tosa Ronin and Choshu Samurai was became existence who can kill at any time by Tokugawa.
Nagasaki was Tokugawa territory.
　
Conversely Satsuma was on Tokugawa side until the last stage. (on the surface)
Because they were under the protection of the Satsuma，Tokugawa officials could not interference to them.
　
Of course，they would have been under the surveillance of the Tokugawa.
Tokugawa era was also the era of the spy.
It was not so easy.

For example，escort of Oura Catholic Church.
They were monitored the hidden Christians of Japanese along with the escort of Westerners.
The latter would have been more important.

Persons like Sakamoto.
I think They also had been monitored as dangerous elements.

”What has been orchestrated behind the scenes.”
Tokugawa officials would have grabbed quite accurately.
　
Incidentally，later the man who complain was became the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He was not a man of Tosa.　
　

confession

When Sakamoto had transferred based in Nagasaki.
Christian church was built in Nagasaki Oura.
At that time, Christian faith of Japanese was forbidden yet.
Japanese guards stood around the church for monitor the Japanese.
Construction of the church therefore was intended for western people to stay in Nagasaki.

One night，when Father Petitjean of French was praying，few Japanese people came into the church.
They were seems farmers of nearby.

"Gawkers of church?"
Father first thought so.

　
They were farmers of Nagasaki Urakami.　
A woman of one person of them asked to Father Petitjean.
”Where is Mary?”
”We are people who have the same faith with you.”
They revealed the faith of their own for the first time in 250 years.
　
Christians during this 250 years in Japan.
The same as the Witch of the Middle Ages in Western.
I do think so.
Confession of Christian faith was directly linked to the death.　
Several times in the past，Christian faith had been discovered by Tokugawa and there were oppressions.　
In that situation，they had kept the faith in 250 years by only their own
Of course the situation had not changed yet.　
　
・・・・・・・・・　
　
Discovery methods of the Christian believer was simple.
"Stepped by the foot to the picture of Jesus and Mary."
This called "Efumi".
　
This was performed on a regular basis.
Urakami area was also that it was the Jesuits territory before the era of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Maybe there are Christians in Urakami that was the unspoken agreement.
　
”Please stepping on.
Seeming is important.
Your inmost faith is irrelevant.　
Because the problem does not occur by it.”
Officials of Efumi might had been thinking like that always.
　
However，after this they no longer hidden their faith.　
　

baby

Katsu founded the modern navy school and private school in Kobe (Near Kyoto) as Tokugawa’s facilities.
After a while，political change aimed at the downfall of Choshu and Tosa occurred in Kyoto.
 　
There were many Ronin of their comrade as this school students.
They of kobe were at a distance from the mainstream people of Kyoto.
But Tokugawa came to be wary to them overtly as persons of the dangerous thoughts.

”He is a sympathizer of dangerous elements.”
Katsu also  became to the position of subtle inside Tokugawa regime.


Well，things that worsen the situation happened here
”Set fire to the Kyoto and deprive the emperor.”
Tosa Ronin who had participated in this plan was exist in this student.

　
Katsu had to resignation finally and went back to the Edo.
Sakamoto was summoned from Tosa on suspicion of involvement in the assassination of the Prime Minister of Tosa.　
　
"If I return to Tosa，will just killed."
The current situation of the Tosa was also have a face of class struggle.
Revenge of Tosa’s upper class was become gruesome naturally.
　
Sakamoto ignored the summons and went to Nagasaki with comrade.
Maybe there was also instrumentality of Saigo of Satsuma who had already become appreciative friend.
　
”Baby to others”
Maybe Sakamoto had such nature.
At home of Tosa，baby to the older sister.
At outside，baby to Katsu.
And now，baby to Saigo.
　　
"My best regards for Sakamoto."
There might had a request to Saigo from Katsu like that.
Because Katsu and Saigo had been tied with deep trust.
When bloodless surrender of Edo，Katsu’s negotiating partner of new government was Saigo.

After this，Nagasaki was become  base ground of Sakamoto.　
　

denial

Katsu founded the modern navy school and private school in Kobe (Near Kyoto) as Tokugawa’s facilities.
Sakamoto was facilitator of student of that school.
He was attract many Tosa Ronin to the school as student.
(Of course that permission had been given from Katsu.)

"Create jobs”
Maybe Sakamoto had a idea like that always.

A few years later，shortly before of his assassination.

"Era will changing for sure.
Therefore many Ronin (Revolutionary) becomes useless.　
Go to Ezo (now Hokkaido) with them，and do development of Ezo."
(As maybe agricultural soldiers because Ezo defense was an important issue.)
Sakamoto made ​​a plan like that.

"We were aiming society that is not a society like this."
After the era have changed，such people really appeared from them.
They was trying to assassinate officials of the new government of Japan.
　
・・・・・・・・・　
　
Samurai who founded the new government did aiming to denial of class of the Samurai at first.　
They abolished about 300 lords across the country，and did changed to the modern system of counties and prefectures.
This change Satsuma and Choshu had done to take the initiative.
Of course，also their internal was not calm.
(Later，large-scale rebellion occurs to Satsuma.)
　
As a result，there were a great many samurai downfall.
Their Income as feudalistic landowner that had been cut off .

They might was not want such a change.　
　
"Japan will perish if we do not do it.”
I think such a sense of crisis was support them.

Depending on one's point of view，some samurai monopolized the wealth at the expense of the many samurai.
Can considered so.

Okubo Toshimichi of Satsuma who became the most powerful man in the new government.
Immediately after put down the rebellion in Satsuma (Saigo was leader)，Okubo was killed by discontent samurai.

At that time, he had no escort.
(I think this was not good because he killed by it.)
Also there was almost no assets to him.

antipathy

I think this is also the evils of closed-door (Sakoku) policy.
Value of silver was higher in Japan at the time compared to the West.
In other words value of gold was low.

When western people was replacing silver to gold simply，they got a huge profit.
Rightly speculative peoples did appeared one after another.
So Tokugawa lowered the quality of gold coin in a hurry.

Of course there is no reason which that gold coin was distributed in the same value as before.
All prices went up rapidly.
The people do not know the situation well.

"Our life had become painful from when western people came to Japan.
Main cause is stop of closed-door policy by Tokugawa."
They thought so simply and they began to have an antipathy against Tokugawa.
　
(Tokugawa was clearly insufficient recognition in the first stage.　
But when noticed to issue，they were tried to rectify.)

Inflation of prices and the people’s sympathy to Choshu were proportional.

・・・・・・・・・
 　
”Build a collaborative relationship with Western countries.”

However，Choshu had changed secretly to opposite policy already.
This change was possible because they had win the battle against conservative persons. (feudal persons) .

More than that，change of main characters of their group that would had large affected.
Maybe their had thought like that originally.
Above all，they had seen the failure of their fellow.

"Have no principles."
They may seem like that.

"Have no principles."
"Traitor”

However，after this they were so reviled and they were continue to be at risk of assassination.
In fact，many persons of them were seriously injured or assassinated.
They nevertheless did not abandon this policy.

winnable

Mention just one person as genius of this era.
Maybe it was Takasugi Shinsaku.
　
He had a definite class consciousness.
But he founded the corps which made up of non-samurai class.
And he fought with that corps against samurai class of Choshu he had a sense of belonging.
　
And non-samurai class victory against samurai class.
Eventually，this victory became prior notice of change of Japan.　

However，after this ,Takasugi's lifetime not long.
When the era changed，Takasugi did not alive already.

Of course Tokugawa had been knew about Choshu’s coup.
Tokugawa sent again a punitive expedition army to Choshu.　
However，Japan army (so to speak)，they was defeated in this battle to non-samurai corps of Choshu.
　
This battle that determined the changes of the era.
After Choshu victory witness，Takasugi died of tuberculosis.　　

・・・・・・・・・

Well，it is the history of a little later.
Takasugi and Ito was raising an army with about 60 people at Shimonoseki of port.
　
"If there is nothing，it can not to be a war.　
You waiting for here a little.
I will go out to snatch warship."

Takasugi went out after say so to Ito，and he came back with warships of Choshu.
　
”This man is human?”
Ito seems thought so.
　
”This winnable.”
Look at the success of the initial motion，non-samurai corps joined to Takasugi after another.
They eventually did battled against government forces (corps of samurai) of Choshu and won.
　
"We winnable against samurai.”
The end of the beginning of the revolution could have been here.
　
・・・・・・・・・　
　
Well，their group was at the helm of Choshu again.
However，had one big change there.

”Build a collaborative relationship with Western countries.”
　

raising an army

"Now the situation is very bad for us.
More than anything，we do not have withdrawal of army of Tokugawa yet."

But they had refused to Takasugi's approached.
Takasugi came from the upper class of Choshu and his class consciousness was very strong.
In contrast，most soldiers of those corps came from low class.　

”Will refrain from rash and blind act.”
The corps commander said so.
　
"My spirit is unlike the farmer like him."　
Takasugi was cursing him to originally farmers soldiers.
　
There was also that antipathy.　
(If I says oppositely，they become commander from lower class that was possible in those corps.
This corps was strong.)

Therefore，Takasugi's plan of raising an army was crushed.
That was not.
He decided to raising an army alone against the current regime.　(There was no soldier.)
　
・・・・・・・・・　
　
"I will participate in your raising an army."
There was young man who said so.
It was "Ito Shunsuke" who was returning from the United Kingdom.
　
Ito also came from the lower class.
He was able to study in the UK because his belongs group was at the helm of Choshu.
But now that group did downfall，and conservative group had at the helm.
(This "conservative"  meaning  is "conservation of status of the samurai".)　

”Future，there is no chance to person like me.”　　
He might have been so desperate.　
However, there was such situation besides him.
They were all prudent.　
　
Rather than a theory，Ito liked merely Takasugi maybe.

"Anyway he will die in solitude.
He is pitiful.
I'll die together.”　
Eventually they were raising an army at Shimonoseki in about 60 people against the current regime.

A few decades later，Ito became Japan's first prime minister.　
In other words，after this，they won to the current administration.　

rebel rebel

These two students came back to Japan.
These two people were also a member of the group that has been at the helm of Choshu.

"We must put a stop to their shelling and must make them aware of the world situation."
They therefore might had sense of duty as comrade.

But Choshu defeat at the battle of Kyoto.
Also the territory of the Choshu defeated by the Western fleet.
Decision of attack to Choshu’s territory by Tokugawa.
Downfall of their group inside Choshu government.　

"It does not make sense even if we go back to Japan.
Than that，we should fulfill the obligations of state students."

Until this point，they were powerlessness certainly.
New regime which established in Choshu began negotiations with Tokugawa.

”Strict punishment to a group of anti-Tokugawa.”
Negotiations were settled because they was accepted all terms of the Tokugawa.　
Ministers of their group had been Harakiri.  (Suicide as a punishment)

It was the de facto unconditional surrender.　
Tokugawa was withdrawal determined of army after this settlement.

”Choshu was spared the destruction barely.”
Ministers of the new government would have relieved.

・・・・・・・・・

"Gimme a break.
Why we must surrender to Tokugawa？　
Let's topple the current  regime than it."
　
Person who say so was appeared at that time.　
　
It was Takasugi Shinsaku who founded Kiheitai.
Corps like Kiheitai had been established after another.

”We are original Mouri samurai.”
There might was also such think their.

Takasugi approached them for raising an army against the current regime.
　

kiheitai

Number of soldiers is not enough when we does war with the Western countries.
The first idea might so.
　
”Takasugi Shinsaku” of upper class samurai of Choshu.
"The People of Choshu other than samurai let recruitment as soldiers."
He proposed so and was adopted.
At the time，this was noteworthy situation.　
Because military was the symbol of the samurai.
　

Even case of shinsengumi，subject to recruitment was the swordsman.
In the initial stage of recruitment，most of them were Ronin.
After a failed of the revolt of instigator，most of them went back to Edo.
Shinsengumi was established by remaining people.
(They was mainly swordsman of farmers.)




But this Choshu’s case，subject to recruitment was not only the swordsman but also all people of Choshu other than samurai.

This corps was established as a modern military organization.
This corps was called "Kiheitai".　

Modernization of the organization of samurai corps was difficult because they were bound by their class order.
But Kiheitai did possible because there was no bondage to them.
　
However，they had been considered mere ancillary corps of the samurai corps at first.
They did not come out in front of the era yet.

・・・・・・・・・
　
By the way，when Choshu was shelling the Western ship.
International students of Choshu were in the United Kingdom. (as stowaway)
And Kiheitai was established as a modern military organization.

Choshu of representatives of the Western exclusion that was like that.
So，possibilities of Japan，it was not only one already.　

　
Well，international students was knew at London the news of shelling by newspaper.
　
”We should returned to Japan immediately.
And we should stop their shelling.”
Had a such a proposal from one international student.

　
"It does not make sense even if we go back to Japan.
"Than that，we should fulfill the obligations of state (Choshu) students."

But such dissent dominated.
After all，only two people returned to Japan for stop choshu's shelling
A few decades later，These two people were became the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance of first of Japan.

for effort together

Mouri was spared the destruction but their territory became the territory of the earlier 3/1.
They became wasn't able to keeps many of the vassal.

When this case happened， in most cases samurai becoming Ronin and looking for the other lords.
In short，new lords of number of destroyed lords was born after Battle of Sekigahara.
Therefore their job opening existed.
However here was a strange thing happened.

”I do not need salary.”
”Please take me to Choshu.”

Many mouri samurai said so and went to Choshu.
They was throw away samurai class and became a farmer.

Also Mouri continued support of Mouri samurai who became Ronin.
Of course，Mouri themselves life also was a difficult situation.

"Please come back to Mouri.
For effort together.”

Case of Ronin who was not able to find employment place until the end.
Mouri said so to their.

Reclamation，promotion of the industry, etc.
After a while，Mouri almost recovered the previous economic situation.
They become accumulated a surplus conversely，
Its surplus was became funding to defeat the Tokugawa.

However，this way is not reasonable in the first place.
Come creak somewhere naturally.
Burden of originally farmers of Choshu was very greater.

However，250 years later from it.
”We are original Mouri samurai.”
Many people of Choshu had think so.
　
・・・・・・・・・　
　
”I think this harbor’s defense system is insufficient.”
A certain day，Westerners who came to Nagasaki said so to Japanese merchant.

”That issue is samurai's issue.”
”Nothing to do with us.”
The merchant answered with laugh.

This 250 years，the role was different by social class.
Military issue was issue that only samurai must think.

When Toyotomi was put an end to Warring States (temporarily)， confiscated the weapons of  people other than samurai.
They performed that policies actively for security recovery in Japan.
And this policy had been carried over to Tokugawa.

reward

Mouri (Choshu) territory before the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600.
That was about Hiroshima Province, Shimane Province and Yamaguchi Province of now.
After this battle，it was became only Yamaguchi Prefecture.

De facto royal family of samurai at the time was Toyotomi clan.
(Toyotomi’s identification was not a samurai，was a aristocracy)

However，after the death of its founder ”Toyotomi Hideyoshi”，this regime headed to collapse rapidly.
Hideyoshi became king of Japan from farmers.
But his action of his late in life that apparently became "strange".
　
Domestic affairs and Foreign affairs，Its "strange" appeared to both.
He became a man who kills people quickly.
He did not kill the people as much as possible until became king.
Toyotomi had lost samurai's support rapidly and their support was gathered to Tokugawa Ieyasu.
　
Of course, the opposition was present.　
Representative five lords of Japan at the time were Toyotomi regime ministers.
Its top was Tokugawa and its No.2 was Mouri.　
　
Tokugawa was only ally of Hideyoshi's past lord.
Mouri was collaborator of when winning hegemony of Hideyoshi.　
　　
This power struggle bisected the Japan，war became inevitable finally.
　
・・・・・・・・・　
　
The commander of the Mouri army was lord's brother of before.
He had convinced Tokugawa victory of this power struggle.
Above all when Tokugawa was defeated (when their side was win).

"We can not keep the peace，Japan definitely falls back to the Warring States era.”
"Must create Tokugawa victory to make a peaceful world."
He was so convinced.
(Until then，war was followed by one hundred years in all around japan.)

"Conservation of the current status of the Mouri. "
On this condition he promised to betraying to Tokugawa side.
In fact，while being de facto Gen.，Mouri did not do combat against Tokugawa.
Eventually Tokugawa hegemony was established.

・・・・・・・・・

"I forgive you only.
I give you Choshu as reward.　
Other Mouri clan will be destroy."

Soon after，there was a notice from the Tokugawa so.

"It is breach of contract.
Before battle，Tokugawa had promised to preserve current status of Mouri."

He did protest so but it was in vain.

"Promise can be changed at our convenience any time.”
After this win,Tokugawa’s negotiations in japan became like that.

”I do not want the territory.
Please gives Choshu to the Head family of Mouri.”
Mouri escaped the destruction by his frantic negotiations.

for make the tomorrow to japan

By some freak coincidence，Sakamoto became a disciple of the Tokugawa senior officials.　

”At first，he came to kill me.”
Senior official said so later.
I do not know reason，Sakamoto became a disciple of him at any rate.
(Maybe they had hit it off simply.)
　
Sakamoto seems to have been an charming person.
However，in the class society，it did not help anything. 　
There was also no backing of nations for him like Satsuma and Choshu because he was a Ronin.

But，thanks to this senior official，after this his human companionship did become wider including Tokugawa people.
For example，when Sakamoto said I want to meet Saigo of Satsuma，senior official wrote a letter of introduction to Saigo.

This Tokugawa senior officials name is ”Katsu Kaishu”.
Saigo and katsu were  very famous at that time already，on the other hand Sakamoto was not known.
Sakamoto had the endorsement of people's trust to Katsu.
(Of course，I think Katsu wrote a letter of introduction because that's Sakamoto.)　
　
And later，Sakamoto wrote the endorsement of the alliance sentence between nations of Choshu and Satsuma as an individual of Ronin.

・・・・・・・・・　

Incidentally，a few years later Katsu saved one million people's life of Edo as cessation of large-scale combat in there.　
　
I also will not say unconditionally.
”Be victory or be defeat.”
With this idea. (Of course this idea had left.)

”Do our best for future of Japan.”
This idea was appeared.　

Katsu was surrendered edo of base ground of Tokugawa to new government by the discussion.
Because of that，Tokugawa become more disadvantage.
However，one million people’s life and capital functions remained almost intact.
　
・・・・・・・・・
　
Just maybe he would be Katsu’s political enemies，there was  person name "Oguri Tadamasa" of Tokugawa senior officials .
Oguri very talented，and had planed the policy for the victory of Tokugawa to the end.
At the same time、perhaps he had forecast the fate of the era exactly.

He built the first modern shipyard to Yokosuka. (Near Yokohama)
At that time, he said with a laugh.
"We can leave this shipyard to Japan."
"Tokugawa regime was worth of existence."

However，of course he claimed the fight against the new government to the end.
He was laid off finally by Tokugawa because of it.

As can be seen in this fact，Tokugawa might tried to the corresponds of adults to new government.
After all，the fight against the new government followed up to Ezo (now Hokkaido) of the north end.
But when Japan changes became clear，Tokugawa made definite effort to pass Japan of intact to new government.
　
　

dragon will fly

”Request to participate in subjugation military.”
Tokugawa notified so to lords，one of the main of this military was Satsuma.
(General Staff was satsuma samurai "Saigo Kichinosuke”.)

"Choshu is move to another region and significantly reduce the size of the territory."
Even if do not destroy Choshu，he considered disabling of Choshu.
　
But New regime was established in Choshu.
For this reason，subjugation military did not result in actual war.
Rightly this regime was favorably to Tokugawa.
They punished anti Tokugawa group，and pledged allegiance to the Tokugawa.
(Key Cabinet Ministers of before had been harakiri.)

・・・・・・・・・

Well，after this，New world had been created mainly in Satsuma and Tokugawa.　
And they lived happily ever after.
　
There was no such fact.　
Nothing was change after this，Choshu and Tosa was serve as the center of the era.
And they changed the era.　
　
Only，main characters was changed here.　
People who was main characters until now，they were gone at this point.
Of course their group didn't annihilated.
To reality，those who survive of their group had made the next era as main characters.　　

I will not say categorically，there was a reason why they had to survive.
　
”Honestly, I can not keep up.”　
They were comrades，but methodology would have been respectively.
　
・・・・・・・・・
　
For example，”Sakamoto Ryoma” of Tosa Goushi who became one person of main characters after this.
His born class was low.　
Wirepuller of the collapsed regime of Tosa was a close friend of same class of him.

"Dragon will fly."
When Sakamoto went out of Tosa as Ronin，close friend encouraged like that to Sakamoto.
(Ryoma's meaning is dragon.)

He remained in Tosa and aimed to reform of Tosa.
However，eventually it was accomplished in the form of the assassination of the Prime Minister of Tosa.
After this，themselves until the ruin，he continued the same way the assassination.