1870
January
4, 1870
Fair.
I went up to the palace after 12; and in the Imperial Presence
I received the following orders:
Kido,
Third Court Rank, Junior Grade:
You are hereby dispatched to Yamaguchi domain under official
orders.
January 1870 (Meiji 2/12th month)
Office of the Grand Council of State
Kido,
Third Court Rank, Junior Grade:
You are hereby ordered to proceed as Our envoy to China and
Korea next year; and it is Our August intention that you should
study carefully the rules governing international relations,
selecting what is appropriate from the procedures of ancient
and modern times, as this is a matter of transcending importance.*
4
January 1870
Sanetomi
Tomomi
Sanenori**
Lord
Tomomi, Chief Imperial Councilor, announced the order in His
Majesty's presence; and I accepted them.
Today
at the Palace, Okubo promised to visit me tonight. He came
over to express his dismay at the impass which we have reached;
and he insists on accompanying me to Yamaguchi to ascertain
my domain's decision, preparatory to retrning to his own Satsuma
to make a determined effort to bring about a coalition of
the two domains for cooperation on a national scale. He argued
that such a plan will reverse the unfavorable trend which
prevails today. His concern is exactly the thing which has
long worried me; and I agreed to his proposal. We then had
some drinks and talked. For several days I have been presenting
my opinions to Prince Sanjo and Lord Iwakura; and, finally,
my views have reached the Throne; and I have been ordered
to return to my domain of Choshu. I hope to leave tomorrow
or as soon as possible. Eto and Ito came to talk; and we sat
around a table to discuss matters. Everyone left after 11
except Ito who stayed overnight.
*In point, Kido did not serve as envoy to China and Korea.
** The three signatories are Sanjo Sanetomi, Iwakura Tomomi,
and Tokudaiji Sanenori
February
18, 1870
...
The intentions of a great many people in the domain government
are uncertain at this time. It is difficult to know what some
of the fickleminded ones will do.
February
20, 1870
...
After 12 I went up to the Castle on business. Ogisu and others
happened to be in the Domain Council Office, the Gijikan;
and, on hearing of hte superiority of the rebel shotai
units, most of them were at their wit's end. Yet, if we do
not decide on a basic strategy for dealing with the unrest,
how long will the country last? These past few days we have
done nothing but deplore the shortage of defending troops,
or advocate that the Kanjotai should leave for Yamaguchi castletown.
The Kanjotai troops, meantime, have been onlookers who have
not committed themselves, not yet having put their arms on
the side of the government. At length, thank goodness, on
the Lord's order, a decision was made to have them leave for
Yamaguchi. Then last night another conference was held, and
the decision reached to hold up their departure from Hagi
castletown. I am outraged by this tendency to have one policy
in the morning, another in the evening. We had to make a decision
on whether or not to have the Domain Navy leave Hanaura (Osaka
Bay?); and we decided to petition the Domain Council for permission
for their departure..
February
26, 1870
...In
recent days sympathizers with my view have called throughout
the day; a good many people are indeed worried about the fate
of the province. A little after 10 I received a report of
a emergency at the Castle. I finished my midday meal, tied
up my hair, and left the house after 1. En route someone told
me that the rebel shotai units had surrounded the
castle and cut of fpassage in and out. This made me want to
go to the Castle all the more; so I went up by the new roadin
an effort to reach it. Barricades ahd been thrown up across
the bridge; and rebel troops had been dispatched to Kamemyama
and Kasugayama. There an old man came running to me; and,
hiding himself in a rice field, he told me in a subdued voice
not to go to the Castle. He said that he had been sent from
the Castle as a messenger; he is an old man who works in the
kitchen there. I turned back on the road, therefore to go
to the Mori residence to inquire into the situation at the
Castle. I found out that the rebels had surrounded the Castle
and environs completely, and that they did not allow a single
person entry into it. I was indignant, and decided to go to
my place. Cho was already there, having been a hundred yards
or so ahead of me. Cho had heard the rumor that the insurgents
harbored a special grudge against me because of my strong
support for the central government, and were searching for
me.
Because
of the danger, Cho and I did not venture out today. It was
purely by chance that I escaped this day through a message
delivered by a kitchen worker whom I happened to meet because
of a delay in my departure for the Castle. I must have been
saved through Heaven's help.
Late
at night I met with Katsura Kuro of Iwakuni for a discussion
of the current situation. Iwakuni domain is firmly behind
us, as is Tokuyama domain. I relied on Ichikawa Toshizo to
use his influence to this end ; and he had enough clout to
bring it off. I met with Kuro at Terauchi's house while Terauchi
was in the Castle, unable to join us. I worked out a general
plan for dealing with the situation; and I wanted to go to
Shimonoseki to carry it out. As the road there was a difficult
one, I had Miyoshi Guntaro act as my guide. En route I stopped
off to visit Yoshitomi Tobei on a side road. By chance Zaimitsu
and Usui were there, having come to Yoshitomi's looking for
me. Kashiwamura had sent the two men out secretly to inform
me tha tthe insurgents were looking everywhere for e. With
him I have an agreement to effect a union of the central and
local government; in support I have pledge to do my utmost
to deliver my domain from its tribulations. Before I kenw
it the cocks had crowed to announce the dawn.
April
12, 1870
Fair.
In the morning my room was filled with visitors, Hase Tobei
among them. I had him identify my swords (without checking
their inscriptions). He named some correctly, some not. When
I showed him the sword which Takada Tomoyuki had made, he
guessed wrong several times; and, in the end, he could not
identify it at all. Today Buddhist memorial services were
held at the house of my original family, the Wadas, in remembrance
of the death anniversaries of both my parents**. Today is
the death anniversary of my mother. I paid my respects at
the Ryushoin emple (now Koyoji) before the graves of my parents
and others. I then went to the Wada house to worship before
the family memorial tablets, eating a meal there...
May
1, 1870
...
At 9 I worshipped at the Tokoji temple.* ...
*
The tombs of several loyalists close to Kido were located
at the Tokoji. Presumably he went to pay his respects at the
graves of Yoshida Shoin, his ideological mentor; Takasugi
Shinsaku, with whom he revived the power of the Choshu after
1865; and Kusaka Genzui, young firebrand lloyalist who lost
his life in a suicidal attack on the Palace in Kyoto in 1864.
The temple had been founded by the Mori family in 1691; and
five daimyo of the Mori line lay buried there. The temple
was on the eastern outskirts of Hagi, across the Matsumoto
River, several miles from the Castle.
May
18, 1870
Fair.
In the morning Suginohara, the Inspector-General, came to
speak with me under secret orders. I discussed with him the
transition the nation has undergone up to now and the general
outlook for the future. I also talked about formulating a
ten-year plan to maintain public trust, and about enforcing
government ordinances more thoroughly to maintain the people's
respect. Suginohara agreed with me wholeheartedly. I am privately
distressed that since the military disturbance the domain
government has failed to seize its opportunity to make reforms
and that so many of the affairs of the domain have been neglected.
I
did not wish to go up to the Castle, but I was compelled to
do so by orders...
Takayoshi
traveled from Choshu to Satsuma at the end of May 1870.
June
1, 1870
Fair.
I called on Saigo, but he was not home.
June
2, 1870
Cloudy,
with occasional rain. Saigo Kichinosuke* came to talk, as
did Oyama Kakunosuke. We exchanged views on events of the
past year, then discussed the current sitaution.
*Kichinosuke
was the popular name of Saigo Takamori (1828-1877), one of
the three great statesmen of the Meiji Restoration. Kido and
Okubo were the other two. Born into a lower-class samurai
family of Satsuma, Saigo showed compassion for the misery
of hte peasants during his years as a district official. SInce
1865 Kido had worked with Saigo on the Restoration. The two
were authors of the Satsuma-Choshu alliance.
June
3, 1870
Wind
and rain. I visited Saigo after 8, and talked with him until
before 12...
June
4, 1870
Fair.
I boarded the ship after 8, and Oseko came out to bid me farewell.
As Oseko is leaving for Tokyo on the 7th , I entrusted my
letter to Okubo to him. I also left a letter for Saigo...
July
2, 1870
Fair.
At 10 I went up to the Palace where I reported on my mission
to His Majesty. The day before yesterday Hirosawa brought
informal notice of orders for my appointment as Imperial Councilor.
I bared my soul to him in telling why I could not accept.
As it was a delicate matter, I asked for a brief delay in
making a formal answer.... (Kido had declined the previous
year.)
July
7, 1870
...
I have for the past several days continued to reject my appointment
as Councilor; but Hirosawa indicates that there is no sign
that my refusal will be accepted at Court. Moreover, I have
already been ordered to China and Korea; and I was told that
this mission will be postponed unless I take office as Councilor
because an Imperial envoy must be either a Senior Councilor,
Nagon, or else a Councilor, or Sangi. Pressure
has come to me from all directions to accept this responsibiity.
Moreover, an official order frees me from the duty of regular
attendance on account of my chronic illness; therefore, I
decided that I was obliged to accept the office for the time
being.
July
10, 1870
I
went up to the council chambers at 8. Matsukata Sukezaemon,
the Governor of Hida prefecture, came up to the capital to
present proof of the counterfeiting of the currency in northern
Chikuzen; therefore, we held a lengthy discussion on how to
handle this problem todoay. I withdrew at 2 to go to Lord
Iwakura's where we discussed the matter some more. On my way
home I stopped in at the Kanda mansion of Choshu for an audience
with our Lord.
Today
I heard a report that rioters had killed some foreigners in
Tientsin, CHina, and burned their residences in the concession
there. English and French warships, as well as their land
forces, are said to have embarked for Tientsin from Yokohama.
Foreigners of all countries are wearing mourning dress to
express their sympathy for the people who died in the massacre;
and they are highly indgnant about it.
July
24 1870
Fair.
In the morning I went up to Prince Sanjo's, where I met Watanabe
Seisaemon for a talk about recent developments, then I had
an audience with the Prince. I opened up my heart to him,
and offered up my letter on the Korea matter. At that point
I heard some astonishing news from the Prince, that on the
20th four of the Councilors had privately told Prince Sanjo,
Lord Tokudaiji, and Lord Iwakura that the present activities
of the Home-Finance Ministry are in conflict with the views
of the Councilors...What are the people of the nation to think
if the body and the limbs are engaged in an argument over
the merits and demerits of one another? Those Councilors are
by their action demonstraating to outsiders the failures and
impotence of the government.
The
Restoration of Imperial Government was the work of Heaven,
not of man; therefore, the government is not bult on the strength
of a single man. I do not know of any policy that will maintain
the nation if the people in government go around reviewing
its faults to the world. I felt wretched as I looked up at
Prince Sanjo's face; so I gave him a few more of my opinions,
then left. ...
July
28, 1870
Fair.
Lord Yanagiwara called to discuss the matter of China and
Korea; and we debated the pros and cons of the current controversy.
(*The controvery described above.)
July
29, 1870
Rain.
Okubo came in regard to the problem which has been developing
the past few days. I went up to Prince Sanjo's after 6 to
hear from him about the current controversy, and to give my
opinions. I returned home after 8. Very heavy rain.
July
30, 1870
...
The more I contemplate what has gone on since last year, the
more I find the present state of things unbearable. I come
to the point that I shed tears for my country in spite of
myself. On the way back I stopped by Prince Sanjo's to report
Okuma's view; and I took a look at the letter which Okubo
had presented to Lord Iwakura....
August
2, 1870
...
This evening I observed a procession of several hundred people
carrying paper lanterns; and, when I asked th reason, I ws
told that it was in response to a rumor tha tthe geisha houses
which had burned the other day would be rebuit. These people
have been worshipping at the Shrine to the War Dead for the
last two or three days to offer prayers that such an order
not be issued. What an absurd thing to do!
August
4, 1870
Fair.
In the morning Councilor Okubo came to talk. Hotta Hanya also
came, a man of Izushi domain in Tajima province. I met him
at the Seizenji temple seven years ago when I was hiding in
Izushi for a time after the battle in Kyoto; but he did not
know then that I was a Choshu man....
August
18, 1870
I
called on Yamagata; and met SHinagawa Yajiro and Nakamura
Yishisaburo. They had received news of the Franco-Prussian
War, a great upheaval in Euorpe. They report that Russia has
allied with Prussia, while Austria is in alliance with France.
Toward evening heavy rain fell...
August
20, 1870
Fair.
After 12 I went to Lord Iwakura's and Prince Sanjo's to discuss
the current situation; and I begged for permission to retire
from office. I visited Okubo and unburdened myself to him
again.
August
21, 1870
Fair.
In the morning Kuroda Ryosuke came to talk, to express his
opinion that the Satsuma-Choshu alliance is in danger. We
talked over the current situation and it is evident that there
are some insoluble problems...
August
26, 1870
Fair.
After 2 I went up to Lord Iwakura's to discuss the current
situation with him. I want the Empire to be guided by a fundamental
purpose which is consistent, and to have its course charted
out. In view of the developments in the world today, such
a policy is more urgent than any of my words could possibly
indicate. I cannot bear to remain a passive spectator; therefore,
I presented him my plans on a wide variety of issues. By doing
so, I have repaid my obligation to my Emperor in some small
degree...
September
1, 1870
Rain.
In the afaternoon, clear. I went to Yushima to visit Shibusawa,
Chief of the Tax Bureau, and we discussed the current situation.
This man once accompanied Tokugawa Mimbukyo to France during
his period of study there. ...Sugi Minji*, who arrived in
Tokyo the other day from Choshu, came to visit me today, and
we talked for a while.
*Sugi
Minji, a Choshu samurai, had studied at the Meirinkan domain
school just ahead of Kido. The name Minji (which had been
his childhood name) was conferred on him by the Lord in 1867
as a mark of honor. After the Restoration he held offices
relating to county government in Yamaguchi domain (later prefecture),
until 1876.
September
3, 1870
...Old
Takasugi came by, so we discussed inside affairs in the domain.
Afterwards, I played go with the old gentleman. I then went
to Masaki's and then returned home at 4.
Hisa
and three or four other women from the Sakairo in Osaka came
in today. Hisa is a woman whom I have known for eight or nine
years. I loaned 2000 yen to Hirahara Hei'emon, and I entrusted
money to him for the Shimonoseki matter (of purchaisng relief
rice.) Hei'emon will leave for there tomorrow. At night I
went to HIrosawa's, where Yamagata Kyosuke was also present.
We had a very lively time. At night, a heavy rain.
September
6, 1870
Fair.
Sansu (Cho Sansu, Kido's artist friend) returned from Yokohama
today; and he painted orchids and bamboo on the cabinet doors
of my newly-built house...
September
15, 1870
...Letters
arrived from Prince Sanjo twice this morning urging me to
continue serving in office, and to give up my desire to go
abroad...
September
16, 1870
...I
went up to Prince Sanjo's to talk with him about his intentions
as expressed in his letters yesterday. The decision on my
mission abroad has already been made, at least 80 to 90 percent;
and for an adverse recommendaiton to be given today, at this
late stage, is upsetting....At Ito's I happened to hear that
Saigo Kichihnosuke has gone to Chikuzen on that domain's request
to Satsuma to bring the counterfeiting problem of kinsatsu
currency notes under control. I am not yet certaint hat this
is true. But, if chance this kind of action has taken place,
I fear for the authority of the central government. How can
the integrity of the nation be maintained hereafter? This
is a breach of official discipline; and I regret that we can
do nothing about it. I only hope that the news is not true...
September
24, 1870
Saigo
Shingo (younger brother of Takamori) had promied to come over
at 4 this afternoon; but he did not show up. FInally he did
come after 6 for a discussion of the current situation. Saigo
went abroad last year with Mihori and Yamagata; and now all
have returned home. At present he holds the post of Junior
Deputy War Minister. He deplores the failure of the War Ministry
to make progress. Sincerity is written all over the face of
this man; he is a dependable person....
Today
was the death anniversary of Kurbara Ryozo. He died at the
Sakurada mansion either years ago to express his indignation
at the nation's policies. Changes since that time are beyond
description. I ahve had the good fortune to survive to this
day; and, when I recall to mind those times gone by, I could
not hold back the tears. I had HIkotaro go to Wakabayashi
to pay respects.
(Kuribara
Hikotaro was the eldest son of Ryozo, and Kido's nephew. He
also became Kido's heir posthumously under the name Kido Takamasa,
and served the Imperial family. Saigo Tsugimichi (1843-1902),
Satsuma samurai, was he younger brother of Saigo Takamori.
In contrast to his traditionalist brother who never left the
shores of Japan, he toured Prussia, France and Russia in 1869-1870.
He became a full admiral, and served as Ministry of the Navy
later. Kido here uses his childhood name Shingo.)
September
27, 1870
Ito
Kansai came over; and through his arrangements I paid a visit
to Hepburn, the American doctor. At Hepburn's suggestion,
I went to visit Elliott, who told me that he will begin treatment
of my gums tomorrow.
(Dr.
James Curtis Hepburn (1815-1911), a Presbyterian, was the
pioneer American medical missionary to Japan. An 1832 graduate
of Princeton University, he held his MD from the University
of Pennsylvania, and was an experienced doctor when he arrived
at Yokohama in 1859, as soon as the country was open to foreign
residence. By 1869 his dispensary was serving 30 to 50 patients
a day. It was at no. 39 in the Foreign Settlement, also the
Meeting Place for the Presbyterian Branch of Foreign Missions.
Hepburn was a skilled linguist who compiled a 40,000 word
English-Japanese lexicon in 1867.
W.
St. George Elliott, M.D. was a dentist and oral surgeon who
resided at No. 75A in the Yokohama foreign settlement. Like
Hepburn, he was an American.
*Kido
went on to have 9 teeth pulled in the ensuing days.)
October
8, 1870
...Okubo
Koto came to talk with me; and we discussed several pending
matters. He also intends to return to his home province of
Satsuma for a while. I have often reflected on the way things
have developed, and note that many of the domains which rendered
conspicuous service to the Restoraiton of Imperial Government
are now, contrary to expecation, doing harm to the cuase.
Ther eason is that thier people merely mouthed slogans about
"the highest loyalty of all," but have no real understanding
of the dominant trends in the world; therefore, they are satisfied
with having effected the Restoration, but they are unable
to go beyond that to decide on a model which will allow our
Empire in fact to excel others in the world. Other domains
which deviated from their duty to the Emperor in the past,
but whose lords and retainers are well informed as to the
state of the world, have become penitent since the Restoration,
and are making strenuous efforts to improve our situation.
The latter differ only on the point that they served the Bakufu
at first rather than the Imperial Government; but their resolution
to render service derives from their feeling that they should
not sit idly by as spectators when they are well aware of
where the world is heading. As a result they serve the state
more zealously today than ever. I have ever regretted that
Satsuma domain and my old domain of Choshu are not so discerning,
but they have been fruitless. Now, however, I am getting some
slight response; and the return of Saigo Shingo from Europe
has been most useful. Last year when I used my influence to
send Yamagata Kyosuke and Mihori Kosuke to Europe, Saigo decided
to go along. Now both he and I are deriving no little unexpected
benefit from his trip as his travels will have a favorable
influence on the nation...
November
25, 1870
Fair.
I went to the council chambers after 9, and withdrew after
4. I went directly from there to call on Ito Kansai, but he
was out. I did visit Hobai; and Okuma came over. I was informed
by them of the recent situation in the western provinces.
EIghty or ninety percent of hte time state matters are decided
contrary to my wishes. The present independent position of
Satsuma is outrageous when viewed from the standpoint of hte
national interest. The matter of Hobai's trip to the United
States was settled today. I pray that our currency problems
will be eliminated by next year...
