Okubo Toshimichi

Ōkubo Toshimichi (大久保利通 Ōkubo Toshimichi , August 10th 1830 - May 14th 1878), statesman Japan board and Samurai of Satsuma, is one of the heroes of the revolution of 1868 against the Shogunat. Regarded as one of the principal founders of modern Japan, it belongs to the three great figures of the Restauration Meiji.

Its youth and its beginnings

Wire of Ôkubo Jemon, a servant of the Daimyô Shimazu Nariakira and groin of a phratry of five children, it is born in the province of Satsuma, now known under the name of prefecture of Kagoshima. He studies at the same school as Saigô Takamori, which is three years its groin. Shimazu Nariakira recognizes its talent, and appoints it administator of the taxes in 1858. With died of the daimyô, Ôkubo was harnessed to put at bottom the Bakufu Tokugawa. However, contrary to the majority of will samurai of Satsuma, it gave an opinion for the tobaku (reconciliation between the Imperial Court and Shogun). This movement is opposed to koku gattai (support for Bakufu) and to the hambaku (against Bakufu). The war between England and Satsuma of 1863 as well as the Incidental of Namamugi and the coup d'etat of September 1863 with Kyôto convince it that the movement tobaku is dedicated to the failure. In 1868, Ôkubo Toshimichi and Saigô Takamori de Satsuma meet Kido Takayoshi field of Chôshû to form a secret alliance, the Alliance Satchô, the purpose of which is the fall of the shogunat.

The Meiji Restoration

January 3rd, 1868, the forces of Satsuma and Chôshû take the Imperial palace of Kyôto and proclaim the Meiji restoration. The triumvirate Ôkubo, Saigô and Kido form a provisional government.

In 1871, as a Minister for Finance, it sets up a reform of the real estate taxes.

On the level of the relations intenationales, he works to make revise the unequal treaties which were imposed on Japan since its opening and joint with the Mission Iwakura in his round the world tour of 1871 to 1873. He goes back to Japan on September 13rd, 1873, just in time to prevent the invasion of Korea (Seikanron) preached by Saigô Takamori.

Appointed Minister of Interior Department, Ôkubo has many to be able thanks to its control police force and nominations of the local governments. It also benefitted from this capacity to promote the development of the indusrie. It takes part in the Conference of Osaka of 1875 in the hope of a reconciliation between the members of the oligarchy of Meiji.

In 1877, the Rébellion of Satsuma bursts: guided by Saigô, the rebels of Satsuma fight against the army of conscripts of the government ordered by the Minister of Interior Department Ôkubo. Following the defeat of Satsuma, Ôkubo is regarded as a traitor by his native field and by the many old ones will samurai. May 14th, 1878, he is assassinated by Shimada Ichirô and six will samurai of Satsuma whereas he goes to Tokyo.

Its contribution

Ôkubo was one of the most influential leaders of the Meiji Restoration and the installation of modern governmental structures. Although over one short period, it was during a time the most powerful man of Japan. Loyal supporter and devoted nationalist, it was respected by his colleagues as by its enemies.

Its appearances in the fiction

In the animated manga and the Kenshin the vagrant, Ôkubo asks Kenshin Himura to help it to subdue the rebellion of Makoto Shishio. Kenshin hesitates, and Ôkubo gives him until May 14th to make its decision, but this day, whereas it will be enquérir of the answer of Kenshin, it is assassinated by Sôjirô Seta, the henchman of Shishio; the clan of Ichirô does nothing but stab one already dead body.

In the novel of Boris Akounine " The Carriage of Diamant" , Eraste Fandorine investigation into the plot for the assassination of Ôkubo, but does not succeed in preventing the murder.

Ôkubo was also the principal inspiration for the character of Omura in the film the Last Samurai of Edward Zwick with Tom Cruise.

Sources

Beasley, W.G. The Small channel off Modern Japan: Political, Economic and Social Exchange Since 1850. St Martin' S Close, New York 1995.
Iwata, Masukazu. Okubo Toshimichi: The Bismarck off Japan. University off California Close (1964). ASIN: B000FFQUIG
Jansen, Marius B. and Gilbert Rozman, eds. Japan in Transition: From Tokugawa to Meiji. Princeton: Princeton University Near, 1986.