Plausibility Check: British Japan

Could and or would the UK go all Imperial glory on Japan? I would think it would have to be before the Meji because while Japan wasn't a super awesome duper kick ass power, it was getting there pretty quickly. However i'll be the first to admit I don't know much about British-Japanese relations at that period. If they did would they take the whole country, or just a part like maybe Kyushu or Shikoku?
 

Saphroneth

Banned
I'm not quite sure how serious a prospect it is, but in the past there's been a somewhat joking discussion of the idea of the British intervening in the Boshin War... partly because it would be a good Fall of the Samurai mod.

OTL during the Bakumatsu (the period of the decline of the Shogunate) the Japanese were extremely prone to provoke incidents such as the massacre of foreigners - this was because of the Sonnou Joui movement, or "venerate the Emperor, expel the barbarians".
Essentially people combining the love of the Emperor and xenophobia into a lever to challenge the Shogunate.
This was generally handled by way of naval actions (i.e. bombardments) but if anyone's going to get more land-based with it it would be the British as they have the Indian establishment and this is in their operational region.
So that's one way it could take place.


Another one is basically to have the events of the Boshin War start at the other end of the country (i.e. up near Hokkaido instead of down in Kyushu, possibly with the Shogun's forces being the ones to come out as the winners) and to have the losing side try and establish an independent state on Kyushu which manages to get British protection. This is tricky, I will admit, but what you could end up with is like an analogy of the Treaty States on the Arabian peninsula - a Kyushu Republic under British protection.

As for who would do it... well, Napier is a good example. The man literally invaded Abyssinia to get an apology.



Fall of the Samurai : British Invasion.

"Prepare for the Sepoy hordes of the British Army as the Policeman of the World comes to bring the Boshin War to a rapid conclusion. The Imperial and Shogunate forces must fight side by side to prevent the 'Wooden Wall' from encircling Japan. Forever removing the title of Emperor from our shores."

(Cue Japanese flag with poorly photoshopped/rounded Union Jack replacing the red dot, carried by wave after wave of Sepoys and British soldiers).

"Or will you fight as the British under Sir Robert Napier, enforcing stability on the Japanese islands, and fight for British Honour! It will be a hard job, whilst reinforcements are coming, it will be local resources that pay for this expedition. Can the Royal Navy, Indian Sepoys, and Kirishitan Samurai bring peace under a new, British Shogunate?"

Amusingly, writing this, the Tokugowa Shogunate may start at war with Britain, but may eventually surrender and work with Britain if they were assured power. The Emperor is the only person who has everything to lose here, it would be the end of the Chrysanthemum Throne, or at least, no Japanese person would sit in it until independence.

And at the end of the war, with peace assured, a new crowning ceremony in Kyoto, where the terrifying words are spoken as Queen Vic rises from the Chrysanthemum Throne.

"All rise in the name of Queen Victoria - Queen of the United Kingdom, Empress of India, and Empress of Japan."

(and then the throne is shipped to Britain, where like the Elgin stones, it hasn't a chance of leaving the British Museum)

Or, if you make a film out of it...

"We have our honour."
"We have the Snider."



"Fourth Gurkha rifles! You will hold!"
*crackle of aimed rifle fire, grunts, holes plucked in the banner. The samurai cavalry ahead deploy into line, masking their skirmishers*
"First rank ready! Aim! Fire!"
*crash of a volley, the deadly beauty of the lance coming apart in a tumble of horses and men...*


"We cannot hold here. Nowhere within range of the shore is safe."
"Osaka castle will not fall again. Not to the Biritishu gaijin."
*man runs in*
"Sails sighted!"
*advisor sighs*
"Warrior is here. I'd advise leaving."



"What is it?"
"It's called the Nordenfelt."
 
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