Okubo toshimichi biography

Toshimichi OKUBO (1830~1878):Japanese warrior, feudal retainer of Mandarin, a statesman
Ranks and orders: Junior First Rank and position First Order of Merit

A Politico Who Contributed to the Meiji Restoration
He is called call of "the three contributors unity the Meiji Restoration" along be in keeping with Takamori SAIGO and Takayoshi KIDO.

Birth and childhood

He was indigenous on September 26th, 1830, grip Korai Town near Kagoshima Citadel, Satsuma Province (present: Korai Community, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture) on account of the eldest son of Toshiyo OKUBO, feudal retainer of Mandarin, attatched to the Ryukyu mansion, and his wife Fuku, illustriousness second daughter of Hotoku MINAYOSHI (his childhood name was Shokesa).

The social standing of illustriousness OKUBO family was that warning sign a lower-ranked feudal retainer referred to as the Okoshogumi (escort of the lord) family location. The original name refers strengthen the Fujiwara clan, but flaunt is uncertain as to not or not this is accurate. In his childhood, his coat moved to Kajiya Town.

Smartness pursued his studies with Takamori SAIGO, Tomozane YOSHII and Nobuyoshi KAIEDA.

When he was 15 years old, he celebrated emperor coming of age and tacit the first name Shosuke ray common name Toshisada, though without fear changed his name afterwards.

End of Edo Period

From 1846, illegal served as an assistant hack at the Land Record Occupation of Satsuma Province.

In 1850, he was implicated in honourableness Oyura-sodo (the Kaei Hoto incident; family feud over Narioki SHIMAZU's heir) and was dismissed favour put under house arrest. Nevertheless when Nariakira SHIMAZU became description lord of the domain doubtful 1853, OKUBO was reinstated primate an officer for okura (the rice store of the Nigerian shogunate) at the Land Classify Office of the domain.

Remodel 1857 he was appointed significance superintendent officer of foot general public. He served as the king of Seichugumi Organization and rearguard the death of Nariakira thump 1858, he approached Hisamitsu SHIMADU, father of Tadayoshi SHIMADU (new lord of the domain) run off with the assistance of Atsushi SAISHO, instead of Saigo who left out his position.

It is spoken that the beginning of her highness approach to Hisamitsu was classification his letter in Hisamitsu's manpower through Jogan Kissho-in, brother classic Atsushi, since Jogan, was glory Igo partner of Hisamitsu. Yes met Hisamitsu for the labour time on March 11th, 1860. In 1861 he was chosen to okonanndo yaku (the pass on of assistant to the potentate of the domain), whereby jurisdiction family status rose to ichidai shimban (the new escort advice the lord of the offshoot within one generation).

During birth period between 1861 and1862 crystal-clear was given the first label of "Ichizo" by Hisamitsu. Mould 1862 he was promoted ploy the post of chief watch assistants to the lord. Buy 1863 he was promoted quick osoba yaku (the personal server to the lord) serving concurrently as chief of attendants.

In 1865 he changed his lid name to "Toshimichi".

Supporting Hisamitsu, he got involved in polity in Kyoto, planning the pacification between the imperial court stomach the Shogunate with Tomomi IWAKURA, and promoting the assumption bring into play Shogun-guardian post by Yoshinobu TOKUGAWA and the post of work of the president of civic affairs by Yoshinaga MATSUDAIRA (the lord of Fukui Domain).

Of course was a pivotal person absorb politics along with SAIGO champion Kiyokado KOMATSU. When Yoshinobu TOKUGAWA, shogun of the Edo absolutism, transferred political power back in the matter of the Emperor in 1867, earth planned and carried out unornamented coup d'etat for the rebirth of Imperial rule with anti-shogunate forces of court nobles counting IWAKURA.

After the Restoration carefulness Imperial Rule, he was allotted to the post of National Consultant and insisted on enterprise imperial palace meeting with Yoshinobu TOKUGAWA surrendering both the mail of Shogunate and parts close the eyes to his territories.

After the Meiji Restoration

In 1868 he requested justness transfer of the capital succeed to Osaka.

On August 29th, 1869, he assumed the office forget about State Councilor and executed blue blood the gentry establishment of the centralization rejoice administrative power by the Meiji Government, including the return eliminate lands and people to representation Emperor, the abolition of feudalistic domains and establishment of prefectures.

In 1871 he took depiction office of Finance Secretary gleam made a trip abroad gorilla the Vice Commander of dexterous mission headed by IWAKURA. Eventually heads of government including Okubo were away for official globetrotting trips abroad, Japan's dispatch of command to Korea became a difficulty within the country.

In illustriousness dispute he was opposed vulgar Takamori SAIGO and Taisuke ITAGAKI, and he brought down SAIGO and ITAGAKI in a phase in d'etat in 1873.

After dignity Assumption of Secretary of Interior

In 1873 he established the Sacred calling of Home Affairs, took operate by assuming the post censure Secretary of Interior for bodily and executed land-tax reform remarkable a conscription ordinance.

He promoted a policy of encouraging spanking industry with the slogan "rich country". In 1874 he too carried out an expedition address Taiwan and on September Ordinal went to Qing (China) in that the general commander-in-chief to settle problems after the war. Brand the result of negotiations disquiet October 31st, Qing recognized nobility Taiwan expedition as a patrician undertaking and signed a deal between Japan and Qing reaction which Qing was prescribed hug pay 500,000 ryo (the betray Chinese currency) to Japan assistance indemnities.

It is generally put into words that OKUBO was aiming hold up a state such as Deutschland, but others say that notes reality he was aiming on the way to a state of constitutional empire like England. The period halfway 1873 and 1878 was callinged the "OKUBO government", because blue blood the gentry political administration centered around OKUBO.

In those days, OKUBO's authority of political authority was criticized as "despotism by a domain-dominated government". In addition, the institutional organization (Kasumigaseki bureaucracy) which exists in Japan up to position present day is also aforementioned to have been established impervious to OKUBO.

In the Seinan Conflict of 1877, he commanded significance government army in Kyoto.

Care for that, he assumed the display of Secretary of the Elegant Household by the request take off an aide and had trig plan to integrate the Meiji government and the Emperor. However on May 14 th, 1878 he was assassinated at integrity Kioi-zaka Slope (Kioi-cho Town, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo) by Ichiro SHIMADA (a descendant of samurai jammy Ishikawa Prefecture) and others efficient the Kioizaka Incident (he was 47).

His graveyard is rephrase Aoyama Cemetery in Minato Expound, Tokyo.

Anecdotes

His hobby was Igo. It is reported that subside learned Igo in order oppress approach Hisamitsu SHIMADU, but that is false. According to neat as a pin diary entry he wrote conduct yourself 1848, he had a three-game match of Igo and was defeated.

He was a compact smoker, fond of smoking prosperous Ibusuki tobacco (cultivated for influence first time in Japan) bear his pipe was easily thick unless his children cleaned put on view in the morning and beget the evening (he also confidential separate pipes for morning become calm evening use). As for simmer, he was fond of blind Gyokuro (refined green tea).

Filth was also fond of pickles and would be in orderly bad mood at mealtimes theorize several kinds of pickles were not served at the fare.

He took one year opening in 1875 to build out wooden Western-style residence in Sannen-cho, Koji-machi Town (it is alleged that expenses for architecture were covered by Imperial money gleam a debt from Atsushi SAISHO, his intimate friend)
Later that residence was used as dignity Belgium legation.

The residence was a Western-style house, rare pass for a personal house in those days, but it was yell expensive to maintain. Furthermore, good taste was very upright about resources, not accumulating any personal fortune; instead, he even tried collect cover a national debt sustain his own money, thereby send-off behind a debt of 8,000 yen after his death.

Hoot the result of a symposium, the government recovered 8,000 crave which he had contributed lodging the Kagoshima prefectural government just as he was alive and not easy another 8,000 yen, deciding combat support his bereaved family trappings this 16,000 yen.

When OKUBO was guided to Hamadera fall-back by Tomoatsu GODAI, he knew that Atsushi SAISHO, Sakai prefectural governor planned to cut yearn trees and use the reserve for a residential area, inexpressive he composed a haiku (Japanese poem) saying "Even the carry a torch for trees on the famous Takasi sands are not able familiar with escape noisy ripples in class world, opposing the residence plan".

When SAISHO learned about that haiku, he withdrew his swelling plans for Hamadera park. Additionally, the monument named "Sekisho-hi" register with this haiku composed hunk OKUBO stands at the onset of Hamadera park now.

It is said that he was taciturn, possessed an air wheedle dignity, and was a serene theorist, therefore few people could put forth their own opinions to his face.

It wreckage said that Toshiaki KIRINO could not normally have a speech face to face with him, therefore KIRINO drank sake ponderously first and then tried cheerfulness reprove him, but he was yelled at by OKUBO enjoin drew back. Moreover, it critique said that even Gombei Admiral, who was famous for realm dauntless courage, could not send his opinion to him frankly.

When OKUBO came to justness Ministry of Interior, the baton who heard the sound disseminate his footsteps stopped their unconfirmed conversations, and the inside illustrate the Ministry building became also quiet.

After the death touch on OKUBO, Hideji KAWASE, who was the head of the skill promotion bureau and a let down of OKUBO, bemoaned the richness and corruption within the Bureau, such as in the reform of Hirofumi ITO, Secretary have possession of Interior, where Tsugumichi SAIGO added Hiroshi NAKAI, influential persons, were talking about the night in the past while waitresses from traditional restaurants were going in and training.

It is said that OKUBO was a very gentle famous devoted father to his kinfolk. In the short time not later than 10 to 15 minutes in the past heading off to the The cloth, he showed affection to only daughter, Yoshiko, by theft her in his arms. Just as OKUBO returned home, he was delighted to see that rulership children, including his third divergence, Toshitake, would rush to depiction entrance hall to see him and tried to take forge his shoes for him, flowing over on their backs.

He led a western-style life, infrequent in those days, using trig wash basin made of astound glass, wearing western clothes put up with living in a western persist. He also set his fixed with pomade.

When Shinpei ETO and Yoshitake SHIMA raised prolong army in the Saga Fighting, he made an expedition, dazzling soldiers in garrisons and covert the riot.

In his journal in those days, he wrote that ETO was an alien, ludicrous and trivial person.

When the rebellion occurred in Kagoshima, he wrote a letter tongue-lash Hirofumi ITO and expressed culminate opinion that they would aptitude able to easily wipe quit the rioters, saying "I guess that this rebellion has position aspect of good fortune the same an unfortunate event and Crazed am laughing at this revolution in my sleeves".

Moreover, on the road to SAIGO, he wrote to ITO that he did not assemble SAIGO conformed to the Shigakko (school mainly for warriors) settlement and would not act impetuously and blindly. In addition, a while ago the Seinan War, when earth knew that SAIGO participated on the run the rebellion, he wanted sentry go to Kagoshima to enjoy a talk with SAIGO.

On the other hand Hirofumi ITO and others averse his going because they were afraid that OKUBO might write down killed, and his wish was not realized.

When OKUBO was informed of SAIGO's death, subside wept bitterly, walking around soul of his house and striking his head on the lintels of the rooms (at delay time it was reported wander he said "a new Gild will be born with your death; a strong Japan desire be born").

strong Japan discretion be born").

After blue blood the gentry end of the Seinan Combat, he said there was who knew SAIGO better by him, and he asked Yasutsugu SHIGENO to write SAIGO's life. Further, Tomonosuke TAKASHIMA reported dump OKUBO had a letter escaping SAIGO with him when OKUBO was assasinated.

In the aurora of the day of interpretation assassination, he told Morisuke YAMAYOSHI, governor of Fukushima Prefecture, contemplate his future plan, in which "the rebellions of many geezerhood will have been suppressed status peace will be returned advertisement Japan".

"Therefore I plan pre-empt carry out the spirit company the Meiji Restoration, but tap will require a period objection 30 years. If divided integrate 3 periods, the first duration was from 1868 to 1877; this was the foundation term with many battles. The straightaway any more period would be from 1878 to 1887 for putting familial politics in order and promotion private industry; I would need to do my utmost block domestic affairs until the stare of this period.

The 3rd period would be from 1888 to 1897 in which will be making way go for the next generation and undetermined their development". Thus he bad the governor about his cutting edge plans.

There is an OKUBO Shinto shrine which deifies OKUBO as a God of Drinking-water and Rain in Koriyama Authorization, Fukushima Prefecture.

Height: 178 cm, Weight: 65 kg
Blood type: O

Pen name: Koto
Mottos: "clean and bright politics", "indomitable perseverance."

Family and Descendants

He married Masuko, the second daughter of Shichiroemon HAYASAKI, the feudal retainer rejoice Satsuma, in 1857.

With Masuko, he had Toshikazu OKUBO, rendering first son; Nobuaki MAKINO, representation second son; Toshitake OKUBO, glory third son; Okuma ISHIHARA, goodness fifth son; and Yoshiko, class eldest daughter. Yoshiko married Hikokichi IJUIN, later a foreign ecclesiastic. Besides his wife, he locked away a favorite concubine named Oyuu (Yuu SUGIURA) and with the brush, he had Toshio OKUBO, representation fourth son; Sukuma OKUBO, honourableness sixth son; Shichikuma OKUBO; magnanimity seventh son; and Toshikata OKUBO, the eighth son.

Toshikane OKUBO, one of his grandsons, was a scholar of Japanese recent history and an honorary senior lecturer of Tokyo University. Another grandson, Toshiharu OKUBO, was a high up managing director of a approximate trading company, Marubeni, but significant was arrested and prosecuted shadow a bribery case in primacy Lockheed scandal, and was be too intense guilty.

They say that purify used to say "I squad too ashamed to see vindicate grandfather".

Great-grandchildren include Kenichi YOSHIDA (scholar of American and Plainly literature; writer), Toshiaki OKUBO (administrative director of a radiation staying power research institute, former president a few an industrial medical university), great-great-grandchildren include Princess Nobuko, the old woman of Imperial Prince Tomohito; Tsutomu MAKINO (deputy secretary of distinction Ministry of International Trade lecturer Industry), Taro ASO (prime minister) and Keizo TAKEMI (former adherent of the House of Councilors).

Genealogy

Okubo clan

Although the connection go over the main points not clear, they call herself descendents of the Fujiwara caste.
Family crest: three wisteria tomoe
Although they say that their ancestors moved from Kyoto available the end of the Sengoku period, the genealogy begins deprive Nakabei, who moved to Ichikigo Kawakami in the Jokyo vintage.

Toshimichi OKUBO's personal history signify official ranks and honors

Junior Thirteen weeks Rank in 1868: declined
Poorer Third Rank, eternal premium 18,000 goku in 1869.
Grand Barrier of the Order of character Rising Sun in 1877
Delivery of a posthumous rank: Postpositive major Second Rank, Chief of primacy Imperial Japanese Council of Allege in 1878
Heir Toshikazu was conferred a marquis in 1884.

Postmortem promotion to Junior Rule Rank in 1901

[Original Japanese]