偉大な恐ろしい戦争: A more bloody and impactful Boshin War

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"Glory to our ancestors, glory to our honor, and glory to our Emperor!" - battle cry of Saigo Takamori, Toba, 1868

(Picture of a Bridge at Battle of Toba-Fushimi few days before the battle, 1868)
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After the riots in Kyoto and across Kansai, the political situation for the Shogun was getting out of hand. Kansai region, the traditionally center of the nation before the rise of the Shoguns, far from being supportive of the Shogun (or even neutral), was staunchly pro-Emperor. Regions west of Fukui were becoming more pro-Emperor than ever, and this was of great worry for Shogun Yoshinobu. In order for order to return to Japan, the Kyoto insurrection had to be stopped. Trusting his loyal general Takenaka Shigekata, he sent a large force of traditional warriors to crush the rebellion. Word of this large army reached Kyoto relatively quickly due to three reasons:

1. The sonno-joi network was extremely efficient at quickly transferring news.
2. Shogun Yoshinobu wished for the army's plan to be known.


The idea of declaring the intent of this armed force was largely a public support tactic. The Shogun did not wish to wage war against his people, especially with a modern, "barbarous" fighting force (they were behind the Emperor's plans of modernization, but already along the coast of Niigata as well as the city of Sendai did preparations for modern weaponry begin), but to merely "sideline rebellious elements of society" and "restore the natural order of Japan". In fact, Shogun Yoshinobu planned that after the rebellion was crushed, his forces should invite Emperor Meiji to condemn the rebellion and declare unity with the Shogun (of course under the table, intimidation was the reason). Thus the Imperial forces had plenty of time to plan for an invasion.

Kyoto Imperial Palace, 1868:

Ryoma: My emperor, my daimyo shall come to Kyoto shortly. The Tosa clan's soldiers shall arrive sooner, and we are planning their locations.

Meiji: What about Hisamitsu?

Ryoma: Daimyo Hisamitsu says he unfortunately cannot come in time, for he is working with the British for a long term relationship. He is not fully sure of his domain's loyalty to the Imperial cause, and insists he must stay for such strategic purposes. But General Takamori has ordered some of his finest officers from Satsuma to come to Kyoto. Masujiro has also sent a list of his me

Meiji: And Takachika?

Shinsaku: My emperor, Daimyo Takachika will come here shortly. He personally looks forward to fighting with Takamori. The Daimyo is bringing some of his best men. Masujiro has also requested some of the best men from Chugoku as well.

"Unlike most domains west of Kyoto, Satsuma domain was not heavily punished for resistance to the Tokugawa. Many people in Satsuma province felt happy under the Tokugawa, and blamed Emperor Komei's rash decision making for their worse lives. This was not so in Chugoku. So unlike Hisamitsu, Takachika had nothing to worry about leaving home. The contrary is true; his absence from battle would have weakened his leadership in Chugoku." - "A study of Nippon", by Condrington, for the Oxford Orient Society.


"Unlike the Shogunal troops, adorned with traditional weaponry, the Imperial troops had modern weapons, and were trained with them well by Codrington in a relatively short time." - Omura Masujiro, 1868




The carnage that occurred from Kyoto to Osaka was one of intense levels. The Shogunal troops went through the bridges, only to be open fired by Modern rifles and Gatling guns. Quickly this calm, semi-ceremonial army turned into a crazed frenzy full of fear and rage. The ambush was well planned by Masujiro, who worked with Codrington to fit the positions with western styles of conducting battle. The first phase of the battle, occurring in Toyogobashi Bridge, went "swimmingly" (as Codrington phrased it) for the Imperial side. Masujiro's tactics proved a masterstroke, drastically reducing the size of the Shogunal morale (and even army size) realtively quickly. Codrington's training of the soldiers gave the Imperial men great ability with their newfound weapons.

(Toyogobashi Bridge, 1868)

However, the battle was far from over. Unknown to the Imperial side, Kondo Isami was planning for a defeat to occur, positing more soldiers in the outskirts of the greater area. With the help of scouts from Kuwana domain (the most loyal region by far in Kansai), he was able to position his men well (Mainly from Aizu, a region known for some of the best warriors of Japan). Isami's army slowly crept through various villages, hoping to strike at the strategic location in Toba. His plan would have succeeded if not for the bold descision making of Saigo Takamori, whose gut told him to scout out for more Shogunal troops. A few scouts had alerted Takamori of Isami's secret counterattack, leading him to send his men towards Toba. The second major showdown of the battle had begun. What occurred next would remain in the annals of history in perpetuity.

 

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Battle of Toba-Fushimi, 1868, Part 2:

Takamori's men discovered Isami's army, preparing a charge. The gunpowder was being prepared, swords being cleansed, and arrows prepared. One samurai noticed an "obsessive complexion" upon Takamori's face, his brow heavier than usual. When Isami's contingent was finally in the precise spot Takamori wanted them, he signaled to his men, and shouted, "For the Emperor!". A blur of charging Imperial samurai smashed through the opening ranks of the Shogunate's necessary reinforcements, and ultimate carnage ensued.

(A picture of the Carnage, 1868)


The surprise attack left many of Isami's army off guard, but not those from Aizu, even more surprising to the Imperial soldiers than the charge succeeding so swimmingly itself was the fortitude of so many of the Shogunal troops. In fact, one samurai notes, "The Shogunal troops, after the initial daze, commanded the battlefield as the battle went along". It would have been a heroic victory for Isami if it were not for one uncounted factor, the Tosa clan's decisive diplomatic role in the game. Satsuma and Choshu may have had more soldiers on the ground, yet the Tosa clan's diplomatic skills brought Tsu Domain, under the rule of Daimyo Todo Takayuki, into the Imperial fold. Soon, Tsu retainers went charging at the Shogunal army from behind. The morale scales virtually flipped, and Isami and his men were forced to commit to a tactical retreat. With Toyogobashi Bridge secured and Isami's men retreating to Osaka and it's eastern villages, the battle of Toba-Fushimi was declared a decisive success for the Imperial cause. However, the war was far from won, and the Shogunate far from broken.

 

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Election of 1868:

(An election poster for the Grant/Colfax campaign, 1868)




After the bloody civil war, the United States was tired. Tired of bloodshed, tired of warfare, tired of the same old leadership. With Lincoln dead, the field for competent leadership at the top was looking slimmer by the day. While people were still originally hopeful after the shocking assassination of the much beloved President Lincoln, hopes for a better tomorrow were as quickly vanishing as the talent pool was, under the rule of graft politics. The American people were looking for a unifying leader, one that could repair the nation after its most destructive war to date. In the Republican column, Union War hero Ulysses S. Grant was nominated for the top job (alongside with Congressman Colfax of Minnesota), while the Democratic ticket was Seymour-Hancock. Originally, pollsters expected a Republican sweep due to union supporters rallying around the "Champion of Chattanooga", however, Hancock as the "General at Gettysburg" brought in essentially all the War Democrats back into the Democratic column, turning former shoe in states for Grant such as New York and California into question.


"This race certainly will be a close one. That is all I can predict" - Senator Blaine of Maine


Still, with the South out of play with Reconstruction, a Republican victory was for certain. Seymour and Hancock could revive the party in the north and sweep the border states, but the general consensus was that Grant would succeed the ill-renowned President Johnson. Or so they thought.


"From the wars in New Zealand to the massacre of foreigners in Japan, white racial tension was at an all high time in the middle Victorian era. A period of colonial expansion with recent setbacks as well as in America the collapse of slavery sent shockwaves across the American electorate. More and more Caucasian-Americans saw Seymour and the Democrats as their champion, and old fears of freedman going in droves towards the West and the northern cities frightened the living soul out of the majority of Americans. For the Democratic Union supporter, voting for Seymour was no problem, as by his side was the great war hero Hancock. For the Copperheads, Seymour's role in the 63 New York Draft riots made him their hero, and for the longtime Whig who supported Lincoln, Lincoln fought for the unity of the nation, not the welfare of the freedmen. A new coalition coalesced around Seymour and Hancock, who ran a non-controversial, highly unifying in terms of region yet highly divisive in terms of race campaign, allowing for a surprise victory for Seymour" - A History of Columbia, by David McCullough.


Elections Results:

Seymour/Hancock - 165
Grant/Colfax - 129


The upset victory caused a shock across the nation, and puzzled all foreign commentators. Andrew Johnson immediately resigned and let Seymour, the way more popular politician, take the reigns of control.


"Never before have I seen the winners of a war be so horribly punished" - Napoleon III, Emperor of France.


"At least that rat Johnson is nowhere in sight" - Edwin M. Stanton, Lincoln's Sec. of War


White House, District of Columbia, 1868:

(The White House, 1868. Colorized.)

"Mr. President, what is the urgent matter?"

"The civil war in Japan is of great concern to me. This is our nation's greatest opportunity to enter the bountiful Pacific market, essential for our economic and ultimately social welfare"

"What should I do, Mr. President?"

"Send me generals William Sherman and Joseph Johnston"

 

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"A victory is a victory. A defeat is a defeat. Today is neither." - General Codrington


The Siege of Osaka:

(Osaka Castle, just months before the battle, 1868)


After Imperial successes across central Kansai, General Masujiro recommended the capture of the critical city of Osaka. A center of trade, it's ruler will surely be the wealthier one in the conflict, and thus it was necessary for the smaller Imperial force.

With more artillery from the British, General Codrington had a well armed army that could face any challenge. With Masujiro at his side and Takamori keeping the Shogunal forces in East Kansai at bay, Codrington felt confident in his victory. In fact, unless Takamori fell under the weathering pressure of Isami's forces, then the battle of Osaka would be in the footnotes of battle history.

Except that he did not count for the power of the navy. The Shogunate heavily focused on their navy (and were superb under the excellent leadership of Admiral Enomoto Takeaki), and after the victory at Awa, they were able to stockpile Osaka with tons of troops, enough to cover the whole city and the neighboring towns. The only problem was they couldn't risk losing a superb general and thus the forces were a bit decentralized. But no matter, they were for defensive purposes, and would stay their ground.

(With control of East Shikoku's seas, the Shogunal forces were able to land in Osaka.)

(Enomoto Takeaki was the greatest admiral in the whole Boshin War. He is often called "Masujiro of the Waves".)


General Codrington marched his men towards the villages. Masujiro, suspicious of the quiet, strongly advised Codrington that he prepare his men, which Codrington did. But neither expected the sound of "Charge!" made by the samurai garrisons. These Samurai were katana samurai, and after the initial collapse to gunpowder, once up close they mauled the modern soldiers of Codrington's army. Codrington ordered a tactical retreat, allowing Masujiro to take over the initial phase.

General Masujiro split up his forces into smaller "hunting groups" that were diverse in weaponry and could take on any threat. With Masujiro selecting excellent field captains, communication issues were essentially mute, and these groups picked off the village garrisons one by one.

Codrington had time to organize his soldiers into a more tank based unit, filled with cannons, gunmen, etc. Melee was behind the gunmen and next to the artillery, protecting it at all times. After the signal from Masujiro's men, Codrington's army marched through the battlefield. The advanced artillery easily broke down Osaka's wall's, and the well positioned gunmen shot down most of the Shogunal army in Osaka. The cavalry charges at the artillery were slaughtered by the Yari, and things were mostly going as planned. Codrington had proved his worth, gaining even more admiration from his Japanese men.

Everything started to break down though, when after the glorious fight the Imperial samurai decided that revenge is a drink best served bloody. Osaka's immense riches provided tremendous incentive for looting, and a plethora of crimes against humanity were committed. Codrington was shocked. He had seen brutality at Crimea plentifold, but he was unprepared for this. And thus, while to everyone, this was his heroic victory, he could never except that the battle was truly a victory. And the people of Osaka never forget, nor did they really ever forgive.​

 

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Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu realized that if he was going to win the war, he would have to revamp his administration to fit the war situation. With the Imperial capture of Osaka, most of Japan west of Shiga was under de facto Imperial rule, with Shogunal loyalist remnants dormant in acting out their sympathies until their position would be more of use to Edo (the ishin-shishi was also assassinating suspected Shogunal allies). He may have earlier set up the Shinsengumi and started a propaganda campaign for his capture of Kyoto, but the dramatic defeat in Kyoto had changed the game already. For all intensive purposes, this was Edo versus Kyoto, Shogun vs Emperor.


The Shogunal Cabinet:


Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu:

"Shogun Yoshinobu was a pragmatist. He embraced traditionalism when useful, and the same for modernism. Historians generally agree that Yoshinobu was the more qualified statesman when compared to Meiji, but it mattered less since Meiji knew his limits." - The War that shook the Nation, Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister and Historian

"Under Yoshinobu, the position of Shogun transitioned from exalted leader to a combination of generalissimo and Prime Minister. He developed a cult of personality, yet was answerable like most western heads of state. However, unlike them, he did not fully agree to the notion of limited government, and the uncertainty of his thumb caused policy upsets." - Of Principles and Populism, by John Lukacs, Hungarian-American Historian and Conservative think-tank leader



President Katsu Kaishu:

"The title of President was based off America's President, but for the Shogunate it was more of a bureaucratic organizer. Shogun Yoshinobu had a vision, and President Katsu would carry it out in the Shogunate's government. Japanese historians generally mention his innovative personality." - Projection of American Power, by Noah Chomsky, social and political critic.


Secretary of the Treasury Kobayashi Torasaburō:

"An able economic mind, Secretary Kobayashi reformed the Shogunate's economy. His reforms in commerce and in education were especially noted. The Secretary of the Treasury for the Shogunate is in essence of combination of Secretary of the Treasury and Commerce. While the propaganda ministry had technical control of education, Kobayashi was much better at the job and inserted his policies for a reformed education system (but all the propaganda was Secretary Matsudaira's).



Secretary of War Matsudaira Katamori:

"Secretary Matudaira was well noted for his military courage and charisma. His greatest success was his ability to propagandize millions to the Shogunal cause, but his greatest weakness was that he saw himself more as a hero than a leader, and his arrogance stifled much progress. His men from Aizu province were the best soldiers for the Shogunate and perhaps for the whole war" - The War that shook the Nation, by Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister and Historian.



Secretary of Foreign Affairs Date Yoshikuni:

"A descendant of the prestigious Date family, Date Yoshinuki had much to live up to as Secreatry of Foreign Affairs. He was not the fighter that his ancestor Masamune was, but was a master of the realpolitik of international affairs. While hopeless at convincing other domains to join the Shogunal cause (a large weakness for the Shogunal cause, especially with the Tosa converting many daimyo and samurai), his shrewdness in foreign relations was essential for the Shogunal war effort. He certainly bested Ryoma and even Hisamitsu in the art of global diplomacy". - The War that shook the Nation, by Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister and Historian.



Foreign Military Advisor Jules Brunet:

"Sent by the French on a military mission to Edo, General Brunet soon gained the confidence and respect of Shogun Yoshinobu. Although not as commanding of a figure as General Codrington, he was successful in modernizing the Shogunate's army in both arms and tactics" - A Military History of France, by Joseph Joffre, Military Historian and Grand Marshall of the French Armed Forces.



With a professional cabinet and well-oiled bureaucracy, Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu was ready to wage war for as long as it took.

 

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第 1 章: 日本のオープニングと時代の終わり。- Chapter one: The Opening of Japan and the end of an era.

(The Battle of Sekigahara was known as the blueprint for ひどい大戦, or “The Great Terrible War” of Japan)


All of that changed in 1852 when the United States sent Commodore Matthew Perry to force Japan to open their country to foreign trade. Fearing sharing the fate of Qing China only a generation ago, the Tokugawa government agreed to open Japan in 1854 (effected in 1855) in the Convention of Kanagawa.

(Although historically Commodore Perry was seen in Japan as an evil man who destroyed the innocence of Japan, many modern historians in Japan view him as the catalyst to a modern Japan. Some radicals within the debate even view him as an honorable demigod who was chosen by Amaterasu to create a great modern Japan and wish to honor him as such.)


Economic Troubles:


Part of the opening of Japan was the unfair trade deals that came with it. For example, foreign merchants could not be tried by Japanese courts, leading to foreign merchants getting away with unfair practices. One of the most ruinous to Japan was the practice of arbitrage, or taking advantage of different price levels in different markets. In the West, the gold-silver ratio was at 1:15. But in Japan it was only 1:5. So western merchants flooded the Japanese gold markets, buying up all the gold so it could be sold at a much higher price elsewhere, destroying the Japanese currency. Rising prices and a daily weakening currency lead to mass famines and bankruptcies across Japan, leading to growing anger at the Tokugawa administration.

(A foreign trading house)





The slogan “Sonno Joi”, or Revere the “Emperor, Expel the Barbarians”, became a rallying cry of a newly created pro-emperor movement, which blamed the Shogunate for the economic crisis, and believing that it was only moral for the Emperor of Japan, a Godly figure, to run the affairs of Japan, not an intermediary military dictatorship.

(One of the popular poster of the Sonno Joi movement)


After much turmoil in Japan, Emperor Komei in 1863 ordered the end of westernization of Japan and the expulsion of Japan with the 攘夷実行の勅命 or jōi jikkō no chokumei. The response of the Western powers would go down in the annals of history as the precursor of “The Great Terrible War”.

(Emperor Komei was always less liked by historians than his son Meiji, and is criticized for his rash decision making. Had he not died soon thereafter many historians predicted a highly worse off Japan.)

 

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第 2 章: ウエスタンかもしれないし、教訓を学んだ。- Chapter two: Western might and a lesson learned.

Namamugi incident:

Emperor Komei’s ban of westerners was not well-received by the nations of the West. It created a tension so thick that one more action would break the camel’s back. Surely enough, the dromedary’s vertebrae cracked when in 1862 the Namamugi Incident occurred. The Namamugi Incident was when a group of samurai slaughtered four British subjects in Namamugi village. A small misunderstanding led the samurai, who were already fervent sonno joi supporters and had a xenophobic hatred of westerners, to kill Charles Richardson and his three business partners.

(Charles Richardson’s deceased body was used primarily in Britain but also across the West as a propaganda tool to “teach the true barbarians a lesson in White man’s civility”. This was the perfect casus belli for Western nations to “explain why” the Shogun was so scared of them.)


The Western Response:



The two domains of Japan that faced the brunt of the Western hostilities were the Satsuma and Choshu domains. The Namamugi Incident occurred within the Satsuma domain, so they were going to feel the wrath of the British Empire. British warships in 1863 appeared into the coast of Kagoshima during the bombardment of Kagoshima.

(A bird’s eye view of the bombardment of Kagoshima)

A decisive victory for the British, only 8 British sailors died (and were on one ship), while 244 Japanese citizens (majority of whom lived in the homes) either died or were wounded. The Satsuma clan were rather diplomatic after the incident, paying 35,000 pounds to the British as reparations instead of the original demand of 29,000. After that the Satsuma obtained two warships from Britain within a year, as well as British mechanics who would come back to Kagoshima and repair some of the buildings they destroyed (though never formally giving money to the Satsuma). This rather favorable result to the Satsuma could only happen under the leadership of Shimazu Hisamitsu, who realized that the British if cozied up to, would be instrumental for the glory of the Shimazu clan and Satsuma domain.

(Shimazu Hisamitsu was regarded as one of the wisest leaders in the Bakamatsu and “The Great Terrible War”. His almost uncanny ability to make friends out of the most likely of foes was what defined him not only as an honorable daimyo but also a modern statesman that Japan even to this day looks up to.)


The Shimonoseki Campaign:



The other domain that was targeted by the Western powers was Choshu domain. Daimyo Mouri Takachika was spearheading the sonno-joi movement, and had an unusually high hatred for the westerners. As a sonno-joi leader, he was also a threat to the Shogun, and attacking him would not incite the wrath of the shogun (rather, it would help garner favor), and would still show the supremacy of the West.

In 1863 a group of British, French, Dutch and American ships bombarded the port town of Shimonoseki, or known in Japanese textbooks as 死の雲, or “The Cloud of Death”, referencing the smoke created by the intense bombarding.

With heavy bombardments and a surprise attack coinciding, the westerners only had four casualties while the amount of ethnic Nipponese casualties was 427 (the carnage of the soldiers in the town square was around half of the casualties).

(Daimyo Takimacha was known for his passion and courage, however his inability to judge the situation about how to posture to the western powers is evidence for a certain lack of judgement. No one can deny though his bravery during the war, and the charisma of his leadership.)

Aftermath of the attacks:



The two devastating bombardments had proven to the Emperor-supporters that full rejection of the West would be foolish and that for the emperor to come back to power there would be a need to be, firstly more an organized and secondly more embracing of western technology and nations. Certainly, the Shogun could still be blamed for bowing to the west, but a more conciliatory tone at least privately towards the West would be wise.

 

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章 3: 帝国軍の形成 - Chapter 3: The formation of the Imperial forces



The formation of an “Imperial Cabinet”:

The supporters of the emperor had decided that to overthrow the Shogunate, they must assemble a strong, mobile and frightening force quickly. One of the greatest impediments to a great Imperial alliance was the bitter rivalry between the Satsuma and Choshu domains. The Shimazu and Mouri clans were too proud for them to easily thaw their frosty relationship. Tosa representative and future Sakomoto Ryoma worked on being a bridge-builder between the Satsuma and Choshu, using his tact and wit to help create the alliance in 1866. But he could not have done it without the backing of Daimyo Hisamitsu. After long and hard diplomatic discussions with both Hisamitsu (a wise prescence) and Takachika, Ryoma successfully brought the Satsuma and Choshu domains together, creating the platform for a great Imperial alliance. A Tosa Representative himself, after convincing his daimyo Yamauchi Yoshige, he brought the Tosa into the fray, strengthening the alliance closer to the center of Japan. Saga domain was also brought into the Imperial fray after negotiations between Ryoma, Hisamitsu and Saga’s daimyo Nabeshima Naohiro, entrenching a mighty Western stronghold for the Imperial cause. Many of them were members of the 影の内閣, or “shadow cabinet”.

(Sakamoto Ryoma was regarded by historians as a genius diplomat and a modernist visionary of Japan. Nicknamed the “John Locke of Japan” by his peers, Ryomi’s commitment to liberty and modernization made him a political maverick and visionary).

(Tosa daimyo Toyoshige was a brilliant diplomat. A master of realpolitik, he headed the Imperial inter-diplomatic system, coercing many Shogunate retainers and even a daimyo or two to the Imperial cause.)

(Nabeshima Naohiro was the daimyo of Saga, which included Japan’s only medieval port to trade with the Dutch. Having access to modern technology at a level even greater than the Satsuma, his domain joining the Imperial fold not only help entrenched an Imperial commitment to a modernized Japan, but also ensured a healthy start against the Shogunal army for a westernized army.)

(Shimazu Hisamitsu was in many ways the “prime minister” of the cabinet. His wisdom allowed for an efficient running of the Imperial forces. Ryoma was essentially his pupil, who learned many great things from Hisamitsu. Hisamitsu never quite had the relationship with Emperor Meiji as Ryomi had, and so Ryomi was the link between Emperor Meiji.)

(Morui Takachika commanded the war department of the Imperial cabinet. The equal of Hisamitsu in rank, although he required some help for concise planning of the war effort, his commitment to an offensive campaign would be lauded by both military historians and generals alike.)


"Satsuma, Choshu, Tosa and Saga domains served as the primary domains for the Imperial cause. While others joined or had some involvement with the Emperor's side, I didn't call them the four seasons of Japan for nothing" - "Memoirs of Waging War in the Land of Cherry Blossoms" by General Codrington

 

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The Crowning of the New Emperor and the Tactical Triumvirate:

(Emperor Meiji in his military uniform, a signature to his commitment of modernizing Japan.)

When Emperor Komei passed away in 1867, his son Mutsuhito became Emperor Meiji. A sharp man with greater sensibilities than his late father, Emperor Meiji used his recent Imperial cabinet assembled in 1866 and started working with them to secretly mobilize a force to overthrow the Shogunate. However, to run his military on the ground, Emperor Meiji brought together sharp military minds to both command and run the Imperial military, also known as the “tactical triumvirate”.

The Tactical Triumvirate:

(Takamori was a fervent believer in the emperor’s cause as well as the sanctity of the samurai. His highly conservative approach to cultural modernization had him at loggerheads with Ryomi, as well as some of Emperor Meiji’s programs. But his courage in battle would never be forgotten by his fellow Imperialists, saving him much trouble from confrontation.)

A retired British General who served in the Crimean war, Sir William John Codrington was payed a hefty salary by the Imperial Domains to train the Imperial army with modern Western tactics and skills. As a foreign veteran who commanded in the Crimean War barely more than a decade ago, General Codrington had the skill, experience and authority to turn the Imperial army from a gunpowder army to a modern fighting force.

(Originally little more than a high-ranking mercenary, as he fought with his new-found Imperial comrades, he grew more affectionate for the cause and even became good friends with Omura Masujiro and Sakamoto Ryomi. He developed a strong rivalry with Takemori.)

(Nicknamed “Napoleon of the East”, Masujiro’s military genius was world renowned. His friendship with Codrington and uneasy relationship with Takamori as well as Takimacha had a defining impact on military progression, causing some major gains as well as major losses. Had there not been such a confrontational relationship between Masujiro and Takamori as times, many historians agreed that many pains would not have occurred.)

 

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Planning for an attack and expansion of the Imperial War Cabinet:

Emperor Meiji knew that he and the Shogun were going to butt heads sometime soon. Although trying to keep it as discreet as possible. He asked Takachika if he would like anyone to help him organize the military as the assistant war secretary. Takachika’s reply was one that contradicted his personality in one way and defined it in another; his loyal aide during the Shimonoseki campaign, Takasuki Shinsaku. Shinsaku was a Choshu samurai who believed in working with the West and bringing in commoners into the army at a whole other level to modernize the army. He had opposing views with Takachika on the Imperial stance towards the West and Takachika dismissed his friend’s regards on working with the West after the bombing to establish better relations. Learning the hard way, Takimacha realized his mistake, and although he personally would never revert his views or feel he truly made a mistake, he recognized his flaws and had Shinsaku as his highest-ranking retainer as well as assistant war secretary.


“Shinsaku was so grateful to Takachika that he promised that it would be his goal to “never report a military defeat ever”. Takachika did the unusual; put his mind over his heart. But he still used his heart when it came to endorsing a friend, which still makes Takachika man of the heart” – “The Great, Terrible War”, by Omura Masujiro.

"Takasugi Shinsaku was an ardent enthusiast of Masujiro’s and loved working closely with him on the few times they worked together. As part of the cabinet structure and not the tactical force, he was the tactical mind within the cabinet. He gained the respect of Hisamitsu and Hisamitsu had him as a contact between him and Takachika. Takachika never bended over back to the Satsuma demands, but his surprisingly reasonable attitude was noted when Shinsaku was part of an operation. Many historians to this day criticize Emperor Meiji for not making Shinsaku a higher member of the operation, and credit Takachika for raising him up in the beginning" - "Memoirs of Waging War in the Land of Cherry Blossoms", by General Codrington.

(Takasugi Shinsaku with his 奇兵隊 “Kiheitai”, or “irregular militia”. It was a sign of tactical genius and was greatly appreciated by Masujiro, who established the more formal bits of the army.)

With his war cabinet fully established and well-oiled, Emperor Meiji knew that all he had to do now was to play the waiting game. His intuition however told him he would not have to play that game for long.

 

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The Shinsengumi and the Ishin-Shishi:


The Shinsengumi was the backbone of the Shogunate’s ground game for intelligence and political control all over Japan. A variation of a secret police, the Shinsengumi represented the interests of the Shogunate in the Emperor’s own city; Kyoto. Their control of Kyoto’s info network was of great fear to the Imperial cause; if the emperor’s home turf and intelligentsia could be infiltrated, the Imperial cause would go into the archives of history as a short-term failed attempt. Leaders of the ruthless police force include Commander Kondo Isami and Vice Commander Hijikata Toshizo.


The Shinsengumi had a specific enemy; the Ishin-Shishi. The Ishin-Shishi were a group of ex-samurai from imperial/sonno-joi supporting domains who were skilled at assassinating Shogunate officials and causing chaos to disrupt the affairs the Shogunate. Leaders of the militant wing include Kawakami Gensai and Kirino Toshiaki. The ishin-shishi also had an intellectual and propaganda wing which argued the points of the sonno-joi movement and rallied its policies (future leaders such as Yamagata Aritomo came from this movement, but his relevance lacks as of now). The problem with the ishin-shishi was that its core intellectual leadership was essentially dead, and so while there were tons of boots on the ground to rally and garner support for the Imperial cause, intellectual arguments were not adapting to shogunal responses, and so the Ishin-Shishi turned into a merger of militant ex-samurai who were essentially terrorists against the established government and zealous political activists who went from town to town rallying crowds and talking with the local populace to convince them to support the Imperial cause. This meant that the Ishin-Shishi could not truly make the emperor “the people’s choice” and why the nation turned more factional.

(Kondo Isami was the leader of the Shinsengumi. Fiercely intelligent and decisive, he almost single-handedly brought the emperor to his heels in Kyoto. His later ventures into education such as the “Kondo system” are notable achievements in modernizing Japan’s education system. He even wrote papers on how to run companies efficiently based on his experience as the Shisengumi commander. He is extremely controversial in political debates in Japan even to this day, as his supporters view him as an accomplished warrior and academian while his critics view him as a leader of a bloody and oppressive police force, and liken much of his teachings to the foundations of Japanese fascism and modern authoritarianism.)

(Known for his combined attitudes of being reserved and charming, Hijikata Toshizo was a man of many skills. Known for his ability to master any sword within his first fight with it, Toshizo is respected as one of Japan’s greatest warriors. However, his sheer brutality that he inflicted on his victims, especially civilians who opposed him and the Shogunate leads even strong isami supporters to label him as “complicated”.)

(A renown assassin and sonno-joi supporter, Genzai Kawakami was known for his incredibly quick speed on the field of battle and an incredible use of precision with his sword. He is criticized for his support of anarchism and for being anti-modernization by Japanese intellectuals, and is viewed by scholars as an ideological reverse of Kondo Isami. However, he is seen by much of the youth as a hero to freedom and nationalism, and his rebellious an attitude of his spirit.)

"I hate to see my country turning into a western nation. Already we see trains ruining our nation's beautiful countryside, and the factories choking up our people's air. Only barbarians could view this as progress" -Genzai Kawakami, in his diary.

(A favorite of many war historians, Toshiaki Kirino was renowned for his military genius. While an assassin and disruptor for the Imperial cause originally, Saigo Takamori realized his battle intuition and promoted him to primary retainer. Furthur studying of his personality shows him as someone who did not enjoy assassination, and only did it if the cause was necessary. He wanted to be remembered as a warrior first, not an assassin.)

'I hope God will be on my side to win this battle, but I must have Toshiaki on my side to win" - General Codrington.

 

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"The air in Kyoto was one of grave silence. Envoys from various daimyos, primarily from the Western provinces, were seen scuttling around to the Imperial palace. The Shogun sent me and my men to administer the information channels, maintain the peace, and understand if there was any plan for insurrection by the anti-shogunate forces." -Kondo Isami, 1868 in his journal.

(The Imperial Palace, Kyoto, 1868. Birthplace of the Imperial Ideology.)

The Imperial palace bustled with intrigue along its numerous halls. Those closest to Emperor Meiji noticed that his smile grew just a tiny bit every day. Emperor Meiji summoned Ryoma and Genzai to his quarters.

Meiji: Sakamoto Ryoma, I call you for one job. Go tell the rest of my personal cabinet that their jobs have begun. This applies to you to, Ryoma, as well as Genzai".

Ryoma: Yes my Emperor.

Meiji: Genzai, do as we discussed exactly last month ago.

Genzai: Of course, my emperor.

The quiet that dominated Kyoto was being perpetually interrupted by a young man cyring out, "raise the banners! The Emperor shall restore Japan!". Running from authorities, both local and national alike, Kawakami rushed throughout the city, urging the people to fight for their emperor.

"The people of Kansai, and especially of Kyoto, have always rejected the notion of superiority that Edo had always maintained. Kansai pride in the form of the Emperor's resurrection explained the frenzy that occurred in Kyoto and neighboring villages that day" - "A Study of Japan" by Codrington, for the Oxford Society of the Orient .

Soon, Imperial banners were everywhere. Citizens, angry at the sight of Kanto policemen sprawling throughout the streets, were only further emboldened by the sight of the renowned samurai and assassin Genzai Kawakami. The people of Japan's core began rioting, burning down police stations one after the other. Buddhist monks would cry out [that], "we must burn these collaborating establishments to the ground to purify the land in which they stand upon". The Shinsengumi forces were fierce, but 300 men cannot keep a city together, especially 300 men whose death would be too much of a loss for the Shogunate cause. Kondo Isami issued a tactical retreat, and the last words he sent to Edo before he left the city were, "Bring the troops in".

 

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American foreign policy:


The United States public, weary of war, desired peace above most things. The only thing above peace was economic expansion of the United States. Desperate to cement the Democratic party's surprisingly newfound popularity, President Seymour crafted a strategy to fit both. President Seymour gave a critical speech to Congress detailed "The New Age of War", which stated that "the civilized nations of the world will no more engage in brutal absolute war, but instead provide allies in the uncivilized world with the arms, experience, and finances to wage war that benefit both groups".


After mulling over the extent to support the Shogunate (America could not afford to back the loser), President Seymour, with congressional approval, sent an American delegation to Edo, with two special attendees. One of them was Confederate (and now American) General Joseph Eggleston Johnston. Craving to win a war again (as well as financial difficulties. He found it difficult to make a proper living back home), he was filled with noted gusto. Accompanying him was Union war hero General William Tecumseh Sherman. German Sherman originally did not want to go overseas, bit with the pleading of his good friend Johnston as well as President Seymour (who wanted a Northern Republican and a Southern Democrat to represent a unified America). Shogun Yoshinobu gratefully embraced the two generals, and during the welcoming dinner tales of the civil war were discussed plenty.

(Drawing of the American delegation by the New York Times, 1868.)


Of a United Germany and a Divided Japan:


Germany's and perhaps Europe's greatest statesman of the time, Otto von Bismarck, desired a unified Germany above everything else. The Northern German Confederation already ruled a majority of Deutschland, yet Southern Germany was still under independent small kingdoms form the HRE days. But Bismarck had a plan. He always had a plan. He decided to leverage the political situation in Japan by sending a delegation from the NGF to Kyoto, signaling Prussian support for the Imperial cause. He then signaled to the British that they had an important common interest, one where they also clashed with the French. Napoleon the III was a brash man, a man of bravado, one who preferred public spectacle over strategic long term low morale policies, yet with his whole cabinet begging him to not risk war with both the British and the Germans, the Emperor reluctantly agreed to Bismark's demands of letting go claims to Southern Germany and recognize a union. But Emperor Bonaparte was not to be manipulated. While brash, he was no fool, and after much counsel, he added a caveat to Bismark's treaty which demanded that the Germans give up all claims to Alsace-Lorraine. Unbeknownst to Bismarck, Napoleon the III communicated this to the British first, who steadily agreed, as they did not want the French nor the Germans to gain too much power. A France and Germany that cancelled each other out was the best position for Britain. After communicating their thoughts to Bismarck, Bismarck reluctantly agreed, and singed the Treaty of Munich. In the end, the British had maintained continental stability, the French had kept their pride, and without a shed of blood, the German nation was born.

(Map of Central Europe, 1868. White shows territory of the German Empire, and red formerly claimed territory by the German Empire*)




*The German Empire was officially recognized twenty hours before claims of Alsace-Lorraine were dropped, so in technicality it was the German Empire that dropped the claim.

 

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The Second Phase:

The Second Phase of the Boshin War was defined by intense military conflict. After the Imperial victories in Kansai and with Hisamitsu, Takimacha and Ryoma's consolidation of Western Japan, Emperor Meiji and his cabinet of daimyo decided that it would be wise to attack further into Chubu and Kanto regions of Japan. In Chubu numerous mountain battles occurred while Kanto became famous for its bloody fields. General Johnston called Kanto "the Virginia of Japan". Famous battles include the battle of Obama, battle of Yamanashi, battle of Ueno, battle of Niigata, battle of Saitama, and the battle of Higashiagatsuma.

It was the phase that defined the Imperial movement from a rebellion to a state, a phase of great courage, and a phase of great importance.




Important new people:


An ardent liberal, Sakamoto Ryoma was an ardent follower of British economist John Stuart Mill. So when the British state recognized the Imperial government as Japan's legitimate government, Ryoma was elated that he could personally write a letter to Mill, requesting him to come on a state visit. Mill enthusiastically agreed, eager to meet his "favorite fan in all the Orient". After a dinner full of jokes, discussion, and stories, Mill and Ryoma really hit it off. The Japanese diplomats were surprised by Mill's intellect, and Ryoma found it relatively easy to convince Emperor Meiji to hire Mill as an Imperial economic advisor.



Imperial economic advisor John Stuart Mill:

"Mill was to Meiji what Keynes was to Wallace. A prominent economist who gained equal prominence in a foreign nation for his dutiful work as a foreign economic advisor." - Milton Friedman, American economist and Governor of New Hampshire, Democratic.


General Yamagata Aritomo:

Born in Hagi, Yamaguchi province, General Yamagata Aritomo always had a deep sense of loyalty to the Mouri. Serving the "Greatest clan in all of Chugoku" was of immense pride for Aritomo, and so when Daimyo Takimacha recommended that he represent Mouri clan and Yamaguchi province going forward in the war, General Yamagata happily and readily accepted. He was a brilliant military leader but is controversial for his political support of militarism.



Hayashi Tadataka:

(Daimyo Tadataka was a noted strategian, especially in the art of guerrilla warfare)

A formerly obscurely known daimyo from a non-prominent Daimyo family, Daimyo Hayashi Tadakata proved his family's worth on the battlefield with his strategy. His use of guerrilla warfare was immensely successful, and he is regarded as one of the great strategists for the Tokugawa Shogunate.

 

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The Battle of Omi, 1868:

(Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake. It serves as the center of Omi province life as well as the center of battlefield strategy.)


The birthplace of the Koga-ryu school of ninjitsu and the bridge to Chubu and Kanto, Omi was of great strategic importance to the Imperial cause. Under Imperial control it would allow the beginning of strategic offenses into the Tokugawa heartland of Kanto, as well as the vital provinces in the Japanese Alps and the western coast. Heading out to the east for the Emperor was Saigo Takamori. His challenger, Hijikata Toshizo, was also a fearsome foe. A relative newcomer to the higher ranks of combat, Toshizo demonstrated his skill and courage in the battle of Toba-Fushimi, and was trusted by Isama to defend Omi. Toshizo's amy was comprised of more traditional units than Takamori's (the Shogunate's troops were still being trained in modern techniques by Sherman, Brunet and Johnson, yet already the finest French artillery was found in Toshizo's ranks. The Seta river provided the artillery with ample room to open fire upon Takamori's forces.


Takamori's army was filled with numerous katana samurai (some of the greatest katana samurai came from Satsuma), a good amount of cavalry, as well as large amounts of well trained riflemen. Although weak against cavalry, they served as excellent garrison for the cavalry from potential swarms of Yari samurai. Unsure of what comprised of the adversarial forces, Takamori's responsible curiosity advised him to continue the warpath. Marching along, his men were humming to the tunes of battle till their were smashed with the pieces of war.

"Damnit! Where's that pale-faced gaijin Codrington when you need him most!" thought Takamori.

Across Lake Biwa, he and his men gazed, as they saw the instruments of death. It was the orchestra, the rows of artillery, and it's conductor, a French artillery expert named Perrault. Perrault screeched, "Artilery!" as if he were fighting in Austerlitz. His commands, which would intimidate even some Prussian privates were promptly followed by his recent pupils. These men were primarily from Sendai, the land of Masamune, the fearsome and open-minded warrior. Toshizo studied the man with great interest, fascinated by the sheer bravado of the Bastille bombardier. Unlike Takamori, he was a quiet man, but was equally bent on his foes' destruction.

Realizing the severe present disadvantage his army was in, Takamori ordered his cavalry and katana samurai to split up in two equally heterogeneous groups and go alongside both shores of the lake. These groups had the goal of hunting down the artillery. Takamori's second order was to his riflemen, commanding them to form loose formation so that they would be harder targets, and ordered them to charge and set up a location to open fire. The riflemen were some of the best, as they had served in Toba-Fushimi (Kagoshima riflemen early on were the best riflemen for the Imperial cause. As the war went on, the quality of riflemen was much more egalitarian), and were able to pick off as many enemy samurai as they could. But the bombardment of the artillery definitely took its toll. By the time the cavalry charges took place, up to half the men were either dead or gravely wounded.

This added time the riflemen gave the traditional armed "hunting" squadrons was essential in picking off much of the samurai on the other side of the river. Ninjas from Tsu domain gave many signals to the cavalry and allowed for lesser losses for Takamori's men. Yet the Shogunate had their own ninjas (from Omi no less), and when informed of the cavalry's presence in advance, Toshizo ordered a quiet retreat of some of his men, Perrault and himself, leaving the army under the command of a dutiful field officer, who pledged to Toshizo that he and his men "will fight to the death and beyond". By the time of the charge, the most valuable men had fled, and although the cavalry charges were victorious (along with the katana samurai slaughtering the yari samurai), the casualties due to bombardment and bow and arrow ashigaru lead to greater losses for Takamori's army. The Imperials had won the battle of Omi, and were ready to carry on the Emperor's mantle, whether in the heights of Chubu or in the plains of Kanto.

One thing was for certain. The momentum, while in the Imperials favor, did not lower the Shogunal troop's morale. Tales of the "great pounding at Omi" were widespread in Shogunal barracks, and if the Imperials tried to capture Tokaido road, the Shogunal troops would make sure the Imperials would swim in seas of their own blood.

 

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Battle of Mino Province:

(The Sakai River, the river that makes the border between Osumi and Mino provinces)



Crossing the Sakai river, General Takamori felt blessed. To him, crossing the river meant great adventure lied ahead, and brought to him a strong sense of purpose and confidence. He commanded a swift halt, then lead a quiet prayer for the Emperor's health and for the Emperor's blessings for the battle. Mino province was the land where his ancestors fought against the Tokugawa in Sekigahara, and he was excited for the glorious rematch to come next. Marching towards the plains to Sekigahara, Takamori's excitement passed down through his men, a thrill tsunami came crashing down on all present souls.

After marching towards Sekigahara, Takamori noticed a peculiar and - to him - humurous sight. Expecting a mighty army, he only saw a dwarfed military presence. Led by the Aizu retainer Tanaka Tosa, this army contained seldom modern units. It comprised of yari, katana, and bow ashigaru and samurai. The Shogunal army had another field commander, named Jinbo Kuranosuke. Both Aizu retainers, they were skilled in battle techniques. But not quite the level of General Takamori.

Wary of wasting precious gunpowder, Takamori instructed his gunmen to fall behind on his orders. Tanaka, sensing a relative unease in the larger army,
sent his men charging at Takamori's forces, right into Takamori's trap. Takamori used confusion as an invite, giving his riflemen the perfect opportunity to take a good shot or two, and then when Tanaka's men got closer, Takamori's melee units charged infront. The riflemen quietly exited the battlefield's center, preparing to only fire when absolutely necessary.

The melee carnage was tremendous. Absolute gore ensued, as both sides wanted to claim victory at the soil of Sekigahara. After brief periods of intense fighting, Tanaka's men collapsed, losing to the more experienced Takamori army. Jinbo, the army's second in command, was brutally stabbed. Before his death, he whispered to Tanaka that, "let the superiors know". Tanaka and few of his men retreated, heading northwest. After crushing the remaining remnants, Takamori summoned his men to follow Takana. After a day of marching (and resting at villages. Many in these parts were supportive of the Imperial cause*.), the army had reached a waterfall. Sending his ninjas to scout the region, Takamori waited.

(The waterfall; a critical scene of the battle's second phase.)



The wait would not be long. Flame arrows, flying down from the mountain's top, came crashing down upon Takamori's men. In massive panic, they retreated to places under cover. Takamori and his men were at the mercy of fate and the success of his shinobi.

Tsu domain Shinobi were some of the best in Japan. They quickly recognized the dire situation Takamori and his men were in, and realized their only shot was if the Shogunal archers were distracted. Using their weapons at their disposal, the leaped around, killing a few men, and leaped back into the surroundings. In panic, the Shogunal army was scrambling to find the killer(s). The ninjas struck again, and Takamori noticed the window of time he was given. Not wasting nay opportunity, Takamori sent his men up the mountain. This proved to be a costly move. While they did reach the mountain top and were able to kill off the smaller forces on top, they had lost more men overall. These men had no charismatic general, yet they behaved in such competency and skill that Takamori was shocked. Edo had prepared for them, and Takamori at long last realized the bloodbath that would ensue as he marched forward. It was ironic that victory at the second round of Sekigahara only slowed him down, proving the point that the old war and old conflict, while in the midst, was over. Japan was entering a new era, and only those who fully embraced that fact would win.

After scouting and/or marching around Mino province, Takamori declared Mino as under Imperial control. The end result was greater Imperial losses, a tactical victory for Takamori, and a strategic draw. Things looked better for the Empire as crucial Mino province was now theirs, but no way was anyone's momentum overwhelming.

Takamori waited for Masujiro and Codrington to come.

 

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The Stuttgart Strategian:

(General Albrecht von Roon, the man who modernized the Imperial armies tactics. He, Codrington and Masujiro transformed the Imperial army into a modern fighting force.)


The voyage from Lubeck to Kyoto was a long one. By the time General Von Roon had landed in Osaka port, he was dead tired. "I would only do this for a monarch" Albrecht mused. A royal carriage awaited him, with the diplomat from Kyoto greeting him with a small smile. Entering the carriage, he notices the beginnings of train track construction in the city. He asks the diplomat, "are those train tracks being built?". The diplomat replies, "Yes. We are planning on building a train route from Kyoto to Osaka". "I'm sure war has halted much progress in it's contruction" von Roon commented. "To a good extent yes, but the British investors are very generous as they see the good it will do for the war effort" replied the diplomat. General von Roon snorts at the combination of "British" and "generous", to which the diplomat adds in with a devilish smile, "and of course a nice profit from the toll".

Once the carriage reached Kyoto, the Prussian got out of the carriage. A plethora of servants opened the majestic door, escorted him to the emperor, then respectfully closed the door. Von Roon bowed, as he was constructed by his Kaiser. Slowly, and with a hint of worry, Von Room stated "It is an honor to serve royalty, especially one as noble and honorable as yourself". Emperor Meiji glanced at the German for a few full seconds, whispered a few words to Ryoma, then got up. "Please, shake my hand." "Why of course your majesty." After they shook hands, Von Roon commented, "its an honor to shake the hands of such esteemed royalty". Emperor Meiji nodded slightly, but never showed any dramatic emotions.

"I am glad to be at your service, your highness. I will make sure your men learn the ways of the Purssian army. They will be as skilled and resilient as any fighting force in the world, as long as they have the obedience to do so" Von Roon stated. "Oh they do, they do" said Emperor Meiji.


General Von Roon smirked. He was happy to find an eager audience in Japan, as ell as support the cause of Monarchism on the other side of the globe. He could prove to the world the result of disobeying monarchy.




*He was actually not born in Stuttgart, but in Prussia in (now in present day Poland). Thought the title was cool though .