1871
(Volume 2)
24
April 1871
Rain.
Yamane Hidesuke came to talk about the situation in Kyushu;
and I summarized for him the situation in the national government
as well as the reasons for the dispatch of troops to Kyushu,
and the general trend of things in the world. Hidesuke is
supposed to leave soon for Kyushu in attendance on the Imperial
Intendant for Kyushu. Takeda Yuhaku, Aoki Gumpei, and Taki
Yataro* came to talk. I went into the hot springs to bathe
once today, then left the inn. On the way back to my own inn,
I visited Abe Hei, and reached it at 1.
Miyagi
Naoizo came over to advocate his plan for abolishing the ranks
of rear vassal, or baishin, and common soldier, or sotsu,
unifying them with the gentry, or shizoku, class. Then, he
believes, the four classes of samurai, farmer, artisan, and
merchant should be merged into a single people. This is exactly
the program which I have long advocated; therefore, we discussed
steps to be taken in promulgating and implementing hte proposal.
Kinashi Sei'ichi-ro came to discuss the military problem and
the internal business of the Domain Bureau of the Army; and
I promised to try to settle matters in some way. Shinagawa
Yagoro (relative of Shinagawa Yojiro) came over; and Yamagata
and Inoue came after 3. We left my inn together, and went
past the Bandaiya, and the houses of Kamiyama, Obata, and
Kashiwamura to Otsu's place. When Yamagata and the others
had all left, I had sake and something to eat, then returned
to my inn after 7 to write letters to Tokyko. I visited Yamagata
then; and returned to go to bed about 12.
Taki
Yataro (1841-1906), Choshu samurai, was an activist in the
loyalist movement. After the Restoration he held local posts
in teh courts of Nagasaki and Saga. Miyagi Naozo was probably
the same man as Miyagi Unan, who had a reputation as a literary
man.
25
April 1871
...
Last night Miyagi Naozo came to talk about the common soldiers,
or sotsu, and the former rear vassals, or baishin; and we
finally decided that they should be joined with the shizoku
class as a step towards the equalization fo the samurai and
the commoners in the future...
28
April 1871
The
weather finally cleared up. Terauchi came to visit; and about
11 I called at Yoshitomi's house, whose master is away. By
chance I happened to meet Akimoto Gentaro and several others
who informed me of the recent plight of the common people,
and I came to understand several things which contribute to
their problem. As things now stand one can only pity the people.
Unless fundamental reforms are undertaken, tens of thousands
will be condemned to poverty - therefore, I perceive that
the desire for basic reforms will become still more intense.
I called on Nomura Yasunosuke, paid my respects at the grave
of Old Asada, went to Yuda, then to my old home in Itoyone,
and returned to my inn after 6. About 7 I went out to visit
Yamagata; and we called on Inoue and Yanai together, but both
were absent. In the end we visited Obata Heizan; then I returned
to go to bed at 12.
1
May 1871
...
I went to the Domain Office at 11 for an audience with the
Lord Governor. Today the proclamation was announced to merge
the lower samurai sotsu with the gentry, or shizoku, class
of retainers, abolishing the sotsu in the process. The Lord
Governor personally informed the domain officials of his decision....
4
May 1871
Fair.
About 5 I went to the Yoneya to see my younger sister and
others. From there I went to the Yamashiroya, boarded ship
after 5, and reached Shimonoseki at 5 (sic). I then went to
the Domain Trade Center where I saw Watanabe, and from there
to Amizo's. Miyoshi, who took a room at the Tsuneroku, came
to visit me after 6. We took a boat together to Shinchi, and
went to pay our respects at the Shrine for the War Dead. The
tables of the three hundred men who have died in battle since
the domain crisis began have been there for more than a year.
As I called that time to mind, I felt miserable. On teh way
back I went to Shinchi for sake and a meal. After 11 I returned
to Amizo's, in the same boat with Kawano, Sugiyama, and Yoshino.
The
cherry blossoms bloom again,
Now that a year has passed.
But where are the shades of our comrades of yesteryear,
Would that I might see them again.
Onda
Jinsuke came to visit.
15
June 1871
...This
morning I did several pieces of calligraphy; and the following
are recent compositions of mine:
The
swif mountain stream swirls around the great boulders.
The towering mountain peaks block out half the sky.
It is June; and I hike along this remote mountain trail
Where I hear no sound but the song of the cuckoo.
A single path runs beside the swift stream.
Along both banks countless hazy blue moutains rise up.
Riding on my light sadd,e I meet the rain at dawn.
A man among the verdant green of summer's luxuriant growth.
Naughth care I for wealth or fame.
My mind is filled with the beauty of the landscape.
The mountain casts its shadow on my tiny window.
THe rivulet runs across my half-sized garden.
No mundane visitors call at my gate.
As master of the house, I roll up my bamboo curtian late of
a morning
To look out on the world.
Nobody there is to thwart me from doing what I will.
I relax with burning incense and brewing tea.
Was ever there man who knew such delight?
23
June 1871
...
Takasugi Umetaro comes to visit me daily....
24
June 1871
...This
morning a letter came from Sugi in regard to my recent request
to the Domain Office that it assist in the education of the
descendants of those who died as martyrs in the service of
the domain, of those who rendered meritorious service but
died from illness, and of those who are being brought up solwly
by women -- all of them without much understanding of the
times. This proposal has generated controversy; but Sugi said
in his letter that the domain government has finally decided
to accede to my request. I am much relieved that the cases
of the heirs of Yamada Uemon and Yamato Kuninosuke* are to
be examined. Young Yamada will be a member of my party on
the forthcoming trip to Tokyo.
Matsu and the others returned from Hagi.
(Note) Miyagi Kan'ichiro came.
*Yamato
Kuninosuke (1834-1863) was a Choshu loyalist who emerged from
the same samurai stratum as Kido: the hachigumi, or Eigh Companies
, of middle samurai. Yamato was mobilized for service at Uraga
in 1854 along with Kido and members of the Choshu force called
up to counter the threat to Japan from the ships of Commodore
Matthew C. Perry. At the time of Kusaka's attack on the foreign
nations in 1862, Yamato was there. He accompanied the seven
radical court nobles back to Choshu in 1863; and on 27 January
1864 he was one of six men executed by the conservatives who
were temporarily in power.
3
July 1871
...
I met Mihori's relatives, worshipped before his spirt tablet,
then went to the Shrine for the War Dead, and paid my respects
to the graves there, and offered up sake before their tombs.
Immediately afterwards I took a rest at Sadanaga Yunosuke's;
and my party took lodgings at Doi Rokubei's. Accompanying
me ont his trip are Kosaka Naojiro, Tani Umetaro*, Yamada
Kin'ichio, Shibata Jinnojo, and Yasu...
*Evidently,
this is the son of Takasugi Shinsaku, but I am not quite sure
why the surname Tani is used.
7
July 1871
Fair.
Chilly -- as it was yesterday. After 6 I went to Kobe to land,
and under Nagatoya's guidance proceeded to the Nunobikiya.
On the night of the 6th a typhoon struck the Settsu Sea area,
with waves reaching more than twenty feet in height. Several
hundred ships and boats sank or broke up. It is reported that
more than 200 people have died in the Hyogo-Kobe area, although
the exact number is not yet certain. The river steamer capsized
during its run, the houses along the shore were damaged by
the waves, and the wharves were all submerged. It was a dreadful
spectacle. Many foreigners are believed to be among the dead.
The First Teibomaru was in great peril, its main
mast broken; and it barely escaped from the storm. I was informed
that Imperial Councilor Okuma and Assistant Finance Minister
Ito had arrived by ship the day before yesterday; and presently
both of them came to visit me. Ito went to the United States
last winter; and he told me that he had returned to Japan
about ten days ago....
9
July 1871
Fair.
Ishida Taro and Hasegawa Tazaemon came. Nagatoya Koemon also
came. I purchased from Yamanaka a Chikuden scroll of plum
blossoms, a scroll portrait by Gaku Tsubo, and a fan; and
I acquired a pair of paintings by Yi Hsueh-jiu from Bankichi.
Kanda Sakutaro came to see me. About 12 I took a boat to visit
Okubo, but he was out...
13
July 1871
Fair.
We passed Mikamoto lighthouse at dawn, and arrived in Yokohama
at 11, quickly going ashore. I took a room at the Hizenya,
in Motomachi, 4-chome. Okubo came to the same inn. Everybody
else in my party except for Shojiro, Tani Umenoshin, and three
of my servants returned to Tokyo immediately...
(Note)
I hear that the report is circulating in Tokyo and Yokohama
that I died when my ship sank in the Kobe storm the other
day.
14
July 1871
Fair.
About 8 Okubo left for Tokyo; and I departed from the inn
at the same time to go to Elliott's to have my teeth treated.
I then looked around in several foreign stores, and ordered
Shojiro's clothes for his European trip from a foreigner.
I went ot Kyuichi's Photography studio, with Shojiro and Umenoshin;
and I returned to my inn after 11. It was extremely hot today,
but not so bad as the heat in Yamaguchi. During the season
of the plum rains, there was not a drop of rain in Saikoku,
the western provinces; but they say that it rained continuously
in the east, the Kanto.
19
July 1871
...Then
a telegram came from Yamashiroya in Yokohama telling me that
the American Mail ship will set sail tomorrow; therefore,
I hurriedly wrote letters to Kawakita Gijiro*, Minami Teisuke,
Toyohara Momotaro, Yamao Tsunejiro, and Kurbara Hikotaro --
my nephew**. We prepared for Shojiro's departure in a great
hurry, and finally left the house after 8. Matsu went along
to Yokohama to see him off; and Katsujiro and Mine accompanied
us. Yamagata Kyosuke, Fukubara Kyosuke, Fukui Jundo, Sugiyama
Kotaro, Yamao Yozo, and others came to see Shojiro off.
I
entrusted a letter for the Englishman Mitford with him. My
feelings on being separated from Shojiro for ten years are
impossible to describe. I can hardly bear to write about it.
Although conditions are improving in our country day by day,
men of talent capable of bearing responsibility are still
extremely few in number. The most urgent matter facing the
nation today, therefore, is to nurture talent. I hope that
Shojiro too will be able to take charge of work involving
responsibility someday, and will make his contribution to
our country. Of course I want him to be successful in what
he does, but those who thirst for fame and wealth without
regard for the limitations of their own ability are likely
to bring no little harm to the country. I only hope, therefore,
that he will have respect for the fundamental principles of
humanity, and that he will serve the nation with sinecreity.
In the final analysis, whether a man's achievements have an
effect on the nation or not depends altogether on what kind
of person he is...
*Kawakita
Gijiro (1843-1890), Choshu samurai, attended the Shoka Sonjuku
of Yoshida Shoin in 1858. Later, in 1872, he was attached
to the Japanese legation in England, then he joined the Finance
Ministry, and he died in Seoul in 1890 as Acting Minister
to Korea.
**
The nephew was in school in Maryland in the United States
at this time. As for Kido Shojiro (1860-1884), the adopted
son, was headed to England to attend school in Brighton. He
was the second son of Kido's younger sister Haruko. In 1884,
while at sea off Ceylon returning from GErmany, Shojiro died
of tuberculosis.
28
July 1871
Fair.
I withdrew from the Palace before 6, and went directly to
Lord Iwakura's. Nearly 10,000 soldiers have been summoned
recently from Satsuma, Choshu, and Tosa as an Imperial Guard
to protect the Imperial Government and to assist in establishing
a foundation for it; therefore, I hope that the three domains
will abide by the Imperial wishes without fail, and exert
themselves to bring the nation under a single authority speedily,
and to fix the course of all the domains along a common path.
That is to say: the Return of the Registers to the Throne
was the first step; and we must now strive towards the second
step, giving reality to the Return of the Registers, and unifying
the nation. Thus I presented my opinion on aspects of this
reform. Although the new system has been decided on, the general
run of people in the land do not obey central government orders.
We must, therefore, at this juncture issue the Imperial order
for unification to the domains, and make reality of the principle
of centralization of authority; hence I have argued for this
great objective again and again.*
*Kido
refers here to Haihan chiken, the abolition of the domains
and the establishment of prefectures, a policy which was implemented
on 29 August 1871.
30
July 1871
...
This evening Yamagata Sokyo came to talk to me. This very
day Saigo Kichinosuke visited Yamagata to say that he was
distressed by dissention in the Imperial Government; therefore,
he wants to elevate me above all the other Imperial Councilors*,
and have me assume primary authority for the direction of
the nation. I have always vowed that I shall never under any
circumstances shirk my duty no matter what the difficulties;
but I have my reasons for not standing at the head of the
other Imperial Councilors; therefore, my mind was set -- but
explaining it was not easy.
Sangi:
They may have feared that Saigo Takamori was such a dominating
figure that Kido's own authority would not be asserted. Kido
advocated that Saigo take the position as Chief Councilor.
3
August 1871
Fair.
Withdrew from the Palace after 1. I met Kuroda Ryosuke in
the Palace. Prince Sanjo and Lord Iwakura called me to a private
room, and instructed me to assume a position above the other
Imperial Councilors, and to take charge of the government
and its people. This offer derived from an audience with the
two lords by Saigo Kichinosuke and Itagaki Taisuke who pressed
for my appointment. As my intention does not differ from that
which I gave in reply to Saigo through Yamagata and Inoue
the other day, I explained my feelings again on the matter
in full detail. On withdrawing I visited Goto Unto and discussed
with him the problem of the political system. I outlined what
I had told the two Lords today, and the puport of my reply
to Saigo, and I asked Goto make Itagaki understand it...
5
August 1871
Fair.
I stayed home all day to recuperate. I sent a letter to Lord
Iwakura; and this morning Prince Sanjo came to visit me. He
pressed me, as he did yesterday with Lord Iwakura, to accept
the post which Saigo and Itagaki had petitioned that I should
have. I positively refused it jsut as I did yesterday. In
the evening Imperial Councilor Okuma came to talk; an dI disucssed
with him the plan which I have been quietly developing since
last winter, and which I hope to have issued as a general
Imperial edict to the nation.* He agreed with my plans, and
left after 6.
*Kido
refers to Haiban chiken.
10
August 1871
...
Okubo came to visit, and we discussed the new political system
in detail. As Saigo is going to be elevated to a ranking position
among Imperial Councilors, Okubo told me that I should hold
the same office to endeavor to bring unity to the government.
I have been troubled to the limit by this matter; therefore,
I told him my views on the subject. But he pressed me insistently;
so I told him what has been on my mind; and begged that my
request addressed to Prince Sanjo and Lord Iwakura for retirement
three years ago be accepted now. I made this request in a
letter addressed to Lord Iwakura.
11
August 1871
Fair.
Lord Iwakura honored me with a visit. He strongly urged me
to serve alongside Saigo in the position of Imperial Councilor,
and he discussed with me various aspects of the reform of
the political system. My answer to his request was the same
one that I gave to Okubo yesterday: that I earnestly desire
fulfillment of my wish expressed these past three years to
make an honorable retirement. I went to the council chambers
at 9, where Okubo and the others were engaged in a heated
argument in regard to the reform of the political system,
as well as over my position in government. I was under pressure
from all sides, but declined the position absolutely. At 2,
the matter still unsettled, Okuma voiced his arguments on
several aspects of the problem. If I will not accept orders
to serve in the position, he said, the government cannot operate,
and our reform will be blocked. He proposed, therefore, in
regard to the new political system, that the ministers and
vice ministers should discuss it fully with an agreement to
put my proposals into effect. He presented his view to Lord
Iwakura in some detail. Lord Iwakura, Okubo, and all the others
agreed to the proposal; therefore, I had no option but to
assume the office of Imperial Councilor. But I obtained a
promise from Prince Sanjo, Lord Iwakura, and Okuma that I
would hold the office only long enough to surmount the present
crisis. I also stated this position before the three chief
officials* seated formally. On withdrawing I went to the Kanda
mansion for an audience with the Lord Governor of Choshu;a
nd I met the Governor of Kumamoto there unexpectedly. I talked
with Sugi for some time, and returned home at 4. Saigo Kichinosuke
came to tell me that he has assumed the office of Imperial
Councilor today. Shishido Keiu, Yoshitomi Rakusui (Kan'ichi),
Nomura Yasu, and Yamagata Sokyo came to talk.
*Sanshoku
may refer to the three court nobles, Sanjo, Ikwakura, and
Saga, who held the ranking positions in government.
13
August 1871
Fair.
I felt chilly on account of the rain yesterday. Since last
night I have been thinking over the way the present reform
program is developing; and everything about it is at odds
with what I proposed repeatedly when I accepted this office.
I went to the Palace, therefore, at 8 to talk over the matter
with my superiors, and to discuss it with Saigo, in an effort
to have the announcement of Ministers and Vice Ministers deferred
today. Okuma and Fukuba, however, have already accepted their
orders.* Moreover, as Saigo had no knowledge of the prior
arrangements, I have no way of putting my wishes into effect.
I hope, therefore, that after the announcement is made as
the list now stands, some changes will be made. At 12, when
the Ministers of State, Chief Imperial Advisors, and Imperial
Councilors were all present in the Palace Lounge, I held forth
on how different the present reform plan is from what I had
been promised when I laid out my views, and accepted my present
office. Afterwards I went to Saigo to talk about the situation
since last winter, and to explain why the reform plan as it
now stands is not a good thing for the country. We talked
for several hours; and, in the end, I felt that he had suddenly
accepted my view. Saigo's unselfishness touched my heart,
and I admired him for it. Today, therefore, I carried the
burden of the nation with the utmost sincerity, and made a
completely candid argument for my views. By this time Prince
Sanjo and the others had already withdrawn from the Palace;
therefore, we reported the outcome of our meeting in a letter,
proposing that the new political system be put into effect
at once beginning tomorrow. If a foundation for the government
is not firmly agreed to, and the jurisdictions and regulations
of the several ministries not decided, how can we rule the
country? When I think about it, I believe that we were on
the brink of disaster today. At first, Saigo and the others
would do no more than discuss the restrictions of the several
ministries, saying nothing about the more fundamental matter
of the foundation on which the government rests. Our discussion,
in consequence, was confused. Now at length the matter has
been settled; and, for the sake of the country, I jump for
joy. Since this morning I have talked with the former Imperial
Councilors about the recent situation, and in regard to my
purpose in accepting my present post. It was Okuma who served
as go-between, and who urged me to accept my Imperial orders.
Yesterday, however, things were at variance with what Okuma
had told me first; so I called Okuma to account several times.
But Okuma did his best for his country and for me. I withdrew
from the Palace after 3, going directly to Okuma's to tell
him about the discussion between Saigo and me today. I praised
Saigo for his public spiritedness in this matter; and I advised
Okuma that, henceforth, I shall do my best to carry out the
agreement which I have made with my colleagues. Okuma supports
me. Inoue Segai also came by.
After
I left there I went to Prince Sanjo's where I met Saigo unexpectedly.
He told me that he had learned of the recent misunderstandings
and confusion about the reform for the first time today, and
that he had talked it over with Prince Sanjo because he was
apprehensive about the matter. This man, Saigo, is filled
with sincerity. this morning Inoue Segai, Yamagata Sokyo,
and Shishiko Keiu came to talk.
*Okuma
was named Sangi, or Imperial Councilor, on 11 August
1871. Fukuba Yoshikazu (1831-1907), the National Learning
Scholar from Tsuwana domain, continued with the Department
of Shinto Religion, and he was given a special assignment
on 15 August 1871 for research on the political sturcture.
(Hyakkan Rireki 2 vols., Tokyo, Nihon Shiseki Kyokai,
1927) The cabinet shuffle at this time was the beginning of
the process whereby samurai who actually carried out the Restoration
replaced the titular heads of the ministries, the court nobles,
and daimyo. Okubo became Finance minister at htis time, while
Okuma was relieved of his duties in the FInance Ministry as
a guarantee to Saigo that the radical element would be reined
in. Beasley, The Meiji Restoration.
20
August 1871 [Meiji 4/7/5]
Fair. I went to the Palace at 8. Our discussion of the inquiry
into the new political system was scheduled to begin today,
with Saigo and I in our seats as presiding officers. As the
Minister of the Right (Sanjo) had already withdrawn from the
Palace, we scheduled a meeting for 9 tomorrow, and today everybody
left. The time was 2 o'clock. I went to Goto's; and went together
with him from there to visit TSuji SHoso in Imado about 4.
I returned home at 11.
21
August 1871
Fair. I went to the palace after 8. The Minister of the Right
was present; and today we discussed the rights of the members
of the council. It was decided that the first meeting of the
council would be from 11 to 3 tomorrow. I withdrew at 12.
Today we invited over the wives of Shishido, Yamagata, Miura,
Sugiyama, and Cho; and Izu Kursaku brought in several geisha.
The professional storyteller, Kosan, also came in. Everybody
left after 10.
(Note)
Today I discussed the pending matter with Inoue Segai. We
needed to have an opinion from Saigo, so Yamagata Kyosuke
went over to Saigo's today. Sugi Enson and Miyagi Naonoshin
came over.
22
August 1871
Fair.
I visited Associate Imperial Secretary Eto before 9, and returned
home at 11. This evening I had an appointment with Sugi Enson,
so I went to the Kanda mansion to see Sugi about 2. Inoue
Segai then called on me; and I must rejoice for the sake of
the country that Saigo has answered that he firmly supports
my approach. I take pleasure in this for it will contribute
all the more to the future progress of the country. Three
years ago, as I observed the general trend of the times, I
hoped to demolish the seven-hundred-year-old feudal structure
completely, and to give the names of gun, or counties, and
ken, or prefectures, to the local units of government, and
gradually to unite the strength fo the nation, and to nurture
men of talent. I made a great effort on behalf of this plan;
and I talked with several of my colleagues about it. But no
more than one of them gave ready assent to it.* Inevitably
I had to resort to a stratagem to persuade them by arguing
that we should abolish the ranks established by the vermilion
seal orders of the Bakufu, and to return the fiefs granted
by it to the Imperial Government. Permission to retain them
or not would derive from Imperial orders; and, thereby the
correct relationship between sovereign and subject would be
forthcoming. Finally, Okubo of Satsuma and others agreed to
this; and the Return of the Registers to the Emperor was carried
out. This stirred up a great controversy; and some of those
who perceived that the plan was mainly mine were of a mind
to assassinate me. People in my own domain reviled me for
the most part; and even a good many of those who worked for
the Restoration cause argued against my plan. Unexpectedly
today, those who once called it wrong now say it is right.
My opponents have been turned into supporters. One can never
predict what changes the passage of time will bring. I could
not begin to recount my troubles and anxieties during that
period; but today I feel triumphant. About 3 I had an audience
with the Lord Governor of Choshu; then I went to Sugi Ensons'
quarters. Taking along Miyagi Naonoshin, we went from there
to the Iseya, then on to the ... **at Kamneido. I returned
home about 12. a letter arrived from Lord Iwakura today.
*Hirosawa
perhaps supported on Haihan chiken, or the abolition of domains
and establishment of prefectures.
** This was an omission made in the diary.
23
August 1871
Fair. I went to Lord Iwakura's at 6; but, as he had already
gone to the Palace, I went there also. I attended the council
meeting at 11; but the discussion on the political structure
did not result in an agreement. I withdrew after 3-- while
it was still raining. I had a talk with Saigo; and we made
decisions on several matters relating to the great reform
(Haihan chiken).
I
went to the Kanda mansion where Sugi Enson and I had an audience
with the Lord Governor of Choshu; and he discussed the times
from several points of view. Several days ago I had read his
petition for permission to resign his present office; I was
moved to tears by it. Whereas I am grateful for the Lord Governor's
enlightened views, a great many Yamaguchi samurai are coming
to hold reactionary views. Sugi Enson came to stay overnight.
Yamagata Sokyo and Yamao Yozo came to talk.
24
August 1871
A storm last night. This morning a very strong east wind,
producing inestimable damage in the city. I went to the Palace
at 10; but so many members of the council were absent that
we called off the meeting today. Saigo was also absent. Okubo
talked a great deal; lately he seems to have begun to understand
some things which he did not before.
Many
people there talked about trivial matters relating to the
new political system; few discussed the main issues --which
makes it all the more difficult to settle the matter. I withdrew
at 2 to go the domain mansion which I found had been severely
damaged. This evening the Saigo brothers, Okubo, Oyama Yaskuke,
Inoue Segai, and Yamagata Sokyo gathered to deliberate on
procedures for the abolition of the domains. We decided that
notices of dismissal from the office of governor should be
issued after most of the governors reach Tokyo. It was my
opinion that it would be best to issue at once a notice commanding
the three hundred domain governors to proceed to Tokyo. Then
those who disobey the order will be dealt with firmly. It
will allow us to determine the political stand of the various
domains. Everyone agreed with me.* The discussion continued
until 12, than all of us left.
*That
night at Kido's house the group agreed to force the issue
by using an Imperial decree, not by consultation as in the
case of the Return of the Registries. When someone asked what
should be done in case of resistance, Saigo loudly proclaimed
he would smash opponents with his new 10,000-man Imperial
Force. (Reference cited: Inoue Kiyoshi. Meiji Ishin. (Tokyo,
CHuo Koron, 1966). p93)
27
August 1871
Rain. I went to the Palace at 8; Saigo, Okubo, and I held
a secret conference for starting to implement our plan. Each
of us had objections to certain parts of it. Carrying out
such a major undertaking, leaving everybody satisfied, is
extremely difficult; so we decided on the vital points first,
leaving details for discussion at some later date. Thereupon
Saigo and I reported our plan to Prince Sanjo, asking him
to report it to the Throne, and obtain permission for it promptly.
Okubo and I gave an account of our plan to Lord Iwakura. Originally
the argument was advanced that we should not tell Lord Iwakura
beforehand. As Lord Iwakura has been connected with all important
matters since the time of the Restoration, I was reluctant
not to tell him about this.* I explained this situation to
OKubo and Saigo; and in the end Okubo and I went to tell him
of our plans...
*Sanjo
and Iwakura had blocked the program when it was first proposed
through regular channels. It was then that Kido went outside
the Palace to the feudal lords who petitioned for it, starting
with his own Lord of Choshu. Perceiving that Sanjo was "dull"
and Iwakura "erratic," the Western samurai revolutionaries
took matters into their own hands from the court nobles, noted
Toyama Shigeki, getting themselves advanced to court rank
and taking charge until the bogus nobles supplanted of the
real court nobles of ancient lineage and pushed them out of
the Palace. (Meiji Ishin, pg 257.)
29 August 1871
...An Imperial message to our Lord Governor of Choshu, and
to the Lords Shimazu, Yamanouchi, and Nabeshima stated that
the abolition of domains would be proclaimed today. As the
Governor of Nagoya, the Governors Ikeda, Hosokawa, and Hachisuka,
have submitted petitions requesting the reform, there were
Imperial messages especially for them. All were presented
in the Small Chamber, the Kogosho. At 2 the Emperor appeared
in the Grand Hall, the Ohiroma; and the governors of fifty-six
domains were summoned before him. There the Imperial edict
on the abolition of the domains was read to them; and the
governors were all dismissed from their offices. With this,
the seven-hundred-year-old political structure, with all of
its undesirable features, has been reformed; and we may say
that the foundation for a structure which will enable us to
face the nations of the world on a basis of equality for the
first time has been established. At the time of the Restoration
the several domains moved from the battles around Kyoto to
continue fighting in the Tohoku; and after a year had passed
the whole country was pacified. But then the domains began
to compete with each other. Satsuma watched Choshu; and Tosa
eyed HIzen; and all focused their attention exclusively on
affairs within Japan; but failed to notice trends in the world
at some distance from us, or to prepare countermeasures to
deal with the powers of the world. The Imperial Government
had little strength while each domain had its own feelings
about the matters. Some advocated excluding the foreigners,
others wanted to close the country; and still others favored
fully opening the country. If we were not farsighted enough
to bring unity out of all this confusion, the collapse of
the nation would have come without waiting many more days.
For this reason I decided we should have a county-prefecture
system; and I petitioned Prince Sanjo and Lord Iwakura for
it -- but they told me it could not be done. When I consulted
with a few of my colleagues, some kept their counsel, others
said it was too difficult. Consequently, I contrived a stratagem
by saying that the fiefs of the lords had been granted to
them by the Tokugawa, an Imperial enemy. They had never been
authorized under the Imperial seal; thus, I asked, how can
the Empire stand unless it is made very clear that one's highest
loyalty is to the Emperor? For this reason I advocated the
Return of the Registers to the Throne, persuading Satsuma
first, then Tosa and Hizen, and finally reporting their adherence
to the plan to the Imperial Government. by this time controversy
raged throughout the nation; and many there were who advocated
assassinating me. Not a day went by but that I heard the misgivings
and vilification even from samurai who were my fellow clansmen
or my fellow revolutionaries. The Imperial Government fond
it extremely difficult to reach a decision on this matter;
and June and July came and went without a resolution of the
matter. Although I dedicated my efforst wholly to this plan,
I was on the alert wherever I went, lest it should fail if
I were to fall victim to an enemy before its realization.
Indeed, I took the greatest care. Finally, the Imperial Government
reached an agreement ot appoint the feudal lords as hereditary
governors of the domains. In consequence, I argued as strongly
as possible against that arrangement, and finally we eliminated
the two characters for "Hereditary." I insisted
that it would be very difficult to unify the nation if the
title of hereditary governor were allowed to stand. But today,
everything has turned out favorably. Further, those who exhibited
enity toward me in past years unexpectedly gave me their support
on this occasion; and the time has come by steps almost imperceptible
that my long-cherished purpose has been attained. Events involving
men are indeed unpredictable...
30
August 1871
...The Senior Councilors of the 260 domains had been summoned
today; and the Emperor appeared before them in the Grand Hall
before 11. The Imperial Edict for the abolition of domains
was announced to them. Afterwards, they were notified that
the domain governors had been dismissed from office, then
all withdrew.
31
August 1871
...The
Former Lord Governor of Yamaguchi came, then Imperial Councilor
Okuma came. The Lord Governor argued that the official social
classes of nobles, or kazoku, and gentry, or shizoku, should
be abolished, making all people equal in status.* Kawase Yasuhshiro**
returned from England yesterday; and he came over today. We
talked all day. He presented me with two volumes containing
clippings from last year's newspapers...
*The
former feudal lord was ahead of his time. The kazoku and shizoku
were not formally abolished until 1945 when the Alllied Occupation
had begun.
** Kawase Yasushiro (1840-1919) was better known as Kawase
Masataka. A Choshu samurai, he had joined Takasugi Shinsaku's
1865 coup which put Kido in power in the domain. Kawase was
the epitome of a Choshu loyalist. He commanded farmer-soldier
units from 1863, and was involved in the abortive attack on
the Hamaguri Gate of the Kyoto Palace on 20 August 1864. He
had gone to England to study in 1867, and had just returned
as the diary reveals. Soon he was to be off to England again,
to stay until 1873. On entering the diplomatic service Kawase
rose to be Minister to Italy.
1
September 1871
...Kato* the Deputy University Chancellor came to talk to
me by appointment. He says that we should not lose any time
in establishing a true university here to allow students to
make progress in the arts and sciences. Thus we discussed
its general structure....
3
September 1871
...Finance Minister Okubo came by; and he confided that his
knowledge of finance is so limited that he cannot feel at
ease in his new post. I went to the Palace at 9. The plan
for the new central government structure was finally approved
today; and this will take care of the matter of regulations
for the ministries. In the past, regrettably, government officials
were apt to make decisions, not on the basis of whether they
were right or wrong but in accordance with how loud the voices
of the majority were, as they sought to gain public favor.
A great many plans were made in that way. I have worried about
this situation for many years, but things were not done as
I wished. But, taking advantage of the present opportunity,
I have reformed many undesirable practices of this sort, starting
with affairs in the ministries. I feel easier that this has
been done in the interests of the country.
I
withdrew from the Palace after 2, visited Sugi at the Kanda
mansion, bade farewell to Suginohara, and returned directly
home. A man named Suguiura Tetsugoro came by. He is one of
about thirty Mito men who accompanied me to Kyoto nine years
ago. There was a mixture of good men and bad men in that group,
quite a number of whom were unworthy of being taken seriously.
Eight years ago today a great many of our people died in Kyoto
in the incident which marked the beginning of the Choshu wars.
As I recalled that time I was deeply moved...
6
September 1871
...I then went to the residence of my Lord, Third Court Rank,
Junior Grade, had an audience with him, and talked for a while.
Shishido Keiu was present. We discussed the Lord's proposal
the other day that all men should return to the class of commoners
or heimin. His suggestion is certainly reasonable, I told
him; but in the present state of things his intention will
be misunderstood. Indeed, his reputation may be impaired;
and his plan will not be carried into effect, I advised...
17
September 1871 [Meiji 4/8/3]
Rain. Watanabe Noboru came to visit; and today we went together
to have our hair cut in the Western style.* I went to the
Palace about 11. A bitter argument developed in regard to
the Public Works Ministry...
*The
government had decreed that the traditional topknot was optional
in 1871, but Kido wished to set a good example for other samurai.
The story is told that when Watanabe Noboru called on Kido
to protest plans for the haircut edict, Kido disarmed him
by feigning that his own wife Matsu was strongly opposed,
and would Watanabe seek her consent as a special favor to
Kido? Though astonished, Watanabe did act; and Kido reported
to the Dajokan that there would be no more trouble from Watanabe.
(Mori Senzo. Meiji jimbutsu itsuwa jiten --DIctionary of anecdotes
about Meiji Figures. 2 Volumes. Tokyo, Tokyoo-do Shuppan,
1963, I, 303)
20
September 1871 [Meiji 4/8/6]
...Today we rode the steam train on its trial run. The issue
of the steam railroad has stirred heated controversy in the
nation since the year before last. In consequence we were
on the point of abandoning the project several times. I worked
quietly inside the government on behalf of the project, the
reason that a good many government officials were confused
about it. Today's run was sufficient demonstration that we
were on the road to success. I was delighted. Today, for the
first time, a steam train was operated in our Divine Land.*
Prince Sanjo returned to Tokyo directly from Kanegawa; but
everyone in my party took rooms at the Takashimaya to stay
overnight....
*Work
began in April 1870 from both ends of this Tokyo-Yokohoma
line, which was narrow-gauge, built under the direction of
Edmund Morel, and financed by the Oriental Bank. Fox, Britain
and Japan, 386-392.
*
Vice War Minister Maebara Issei objected most vociferously.
The railway would make defense of the capital difficult; it
would create impoverishment among transport workers displaced,
contended Maebara. Other opponents advised spending money
on defense, or on relief of samurai distress, not on the newfangled
railway. It was Shibusawa Eiichi who argued effectively that
the railway was not wasteful, but a source of wealth and power.
All people dependent on traditional transport were impoverished
by its high cost, he noted. After the issue was settled in
December 1870, Ito took control of the project and brought
it to completion. Beasley, The Meiji Restoration, 357-358.
Kido's feud with Maebara culminating in the Hagi Rising of
1867 have begun here as Kido stepped in on the side of the
modernizers.
3
October 1871
...(Note) Kusaka Ichiro came to visit. A messenger arrived
from Yamaguchi prefecture with Takasugi's* letter which reveals
how indescribably intense is his attachment to the domain
at this time of the decision to abolish the han.
*Takasugi
Kochuta was the father of Kido's associate in the governance
of Choshu, Takasugi Shinsaku. The Takasugi household was located
close to that of the Wada home in which Kido grew up in Hagi.
9
October 1871
Rain. Yoshitomi Rakusui and Yamagata Sokyo came, as did Kusaka
Ichiro. I went to the Palace at 11. Kuroda, the Vice Minister
of Colonization, made a plea that Enomoto and Izumi should
be pardoned,* and that Karafuto [Sakhalin Island] should be
given to Russia. Although everyone is advocating these things,
there is the criminal law to be considered. Moreover, such
a thing as Karafuto is of supreme importance to our Divine
Land; so his proposal should not be adopted too readily. We
must subject the issue to thorough discussion. I withdrew
at 5...
10
October 1871
...I
am much concerned about the future on hearing of the trouble
over the second article in the China treaty yesterday.*
*Kido
evidently was apprehensive that the treaty tied Japan too
closely to China. The text of Article II of the Treaty of
Peace, Commerce, and Navigation between China and Japan, 13
September 1871, reads: "Friendly intercourse thus existing
between the two governments , it is the duty of each to sympathize
with the other, and in the event of any other nation acting
unjustly or treating either of the two powers with contempt,
on notice being given,... mutual assistance shall be rendered,
or mediation offered for the arrangement of the diffculty,
in fulfillment of the duty imposed by relations of friendship."
Meiji Japan through Contempoary Sources (Tokyo, Center for
East Asia Cultural Studies, 1970), II, 81
19
October 1871
...Recently rumors have been circulating among my province
about my slandering people. As a man I am terribly shamed
by them. I am ashamed to live unconcernedly while such rumors
are floating about; therefore, I am watching for a good opportunity
to retreat from the scene. My sole intention in serving the
government has been to maintain the Empire and protect its
people. But, even among my comrades, eight or nine out of
ten have viewed from a different angle than I. Today the whole
nation has come under the control of a single authority. The
only course open to those in power is to work diligently in
their positions, to favor men of talent from whatever corner
of the land, and to abndon parochial interests in favor of
the wider public good. Today I seek nothing further; I have
no interest in struggling for fame. I wish only retire to
a quiet place. Nothing could make me happier, so I revealed
my thoughts a bit to Hobai. I returned home at 9.
23
October 1871
...Inoue Segai and Miura Goro came at night; and they told
me that Yamagata Kyosuke had repented (for spreading rumors).
24
October 1871
...Tonight Yamagata Kyosuke came over. I have recently been
hearing the rumor which is in circulation that I have secretly
spread slander to alienate people from each other. The rumor
is widespread that I made unfounded accusations, and thereby
estranged friends from each other. I was terribly upset by
the report. Inoue Segai was worried about it; and he and Miura
Goro demanded an explanation from Yamagata. On top of that
I met Yamagata today, and received his exoneration of me directly.
He confessed that he did not know the situation well enough,
and that he had made false statements without intending to
in the past. As he apologized by saying that he had no malicious
intent, I did not make further inquiries.
28 October 1871
... Tonight Yamagata Kyosuke came by as did Nomura Yasunosuke.
I had heard that they were spreading rumors on the sly that
I am trying to stir up dissension among people. I have no
further ambitions in the Imperial Government today. I have
no intention of struggling for distinction in the Government.
But when they make false representations which would bring
disgrace to my name after death, I cannot keep quiet, and
I must inquire into their source. So I advanced my contention
most strongly to Yamagata and Nomura that my future course
of action hinges on this issue; it is a matter of life and
death with me. Yamagata, therefore, came the other day to
tell me that the rumor was not true at all, and that he had
never been two-faced. Again, today he declared positively
that what I am reported to have said had never issued from
my lips. Nomura also apologized, saying that, although he
had no malicious intent, the matter got out of hand with this
absolutely unexpected result. Having heard this once more,
my anger melted away. They left about 10; and Sugi stayed
overnight.
29
October 1871
Rain. Yoshitomi Tobei, Nakamura Yoshisaburo, Oka Sei, Shiga
Sahei, Hiroaka Heikichi, and other visitors came continuously.
Yoshitomi has been under a cloud as a result of the recent
uproar. He is a sincere and candid man; and he became very
angry about this matter, and told me the whole story. Although
I admonished him to calm down, it was only natural that he
should be upset. I am embarassed that such things should happen
among my friends. I regret that, as I widen my circle of acquaintances
by the day, friendship comes to be taken so lightly...
7
November 1871
... I went to Prince Sanjo's at 9, then to Lord Iwakura's,
and on to the Palace at 11. There I heard about the death
of the Englishman Morel* on the 5th inst. because of which
his wife was driven to insanity and died herself in the end.
From the beginning of the railroad project Morel has been
sincerely committed to it, and none of our own people compare
with him in the effort which he has made on behalf of our
government. Unfortunately, he died while the project was still
underway. When he realized that he could not recover, he expressed
his wish that his bones be buried in Japan. I rode the train
to Yokohama twenty days ago, on 19 October. On that occasion,
Mr. and Mrs. Morel came to Kawasaki to see us off. As I recall
that time, I am filled with pity that such unhappiness should
befall man.
Lord
Iwakura, Okubo, Ito, and I discussed the schedule for our
travel in the West; and Lord Iwakura reported to us the opinions
of the Ministers of the foreign nations in regard to it...
*Edmund
Morel (1841-1871) had completed only one year of a five-year
contract when he died from tuberculosis. Part of the Tokyo-Yokohama
line for which he was chief construction engineer was completed
by the time of his death. When inclement weather prevented
work, "he took the Japanese employees into his own house
and lectured to them on surveying and engineering." Morel
had a Japanese wife who committed suicide the day he died.
She was buried alongside him in the foreign cemetary on the
Yokohama Bluff. A granite marker was erected there in 1962
by the Japan National Railways, and a white-blossom plum tree
was planted over their resting place.
11
November 1871
Fair. I went to the Palace at 11. Lord Iwakura returned to
Tokyo from Yokohama yesterday. I met with Okubo and Ito to
discuss the trip abroad. We withdrew at 6; and Ito and I went
to Sakuraya to talk....
12
November 1871
...I went up to the Palace at 10. There was so much acrimony
in the discussion of the trip abroad that we have not been
able to come to any conclusion; so I proposed that Ito Shunsuke
and Yamaguchi Hanzo should be put in full charge of investigation
details, while Lord Iwakura, Okubo, and I would consider the
main points. I consulted with Okubo in regard to this, reported
to Lord Iwakura, and my proposal was accepted...
15
November 1871
Fair. I went to Saito's in the morning. He told me that Miss
Egawa Kiyo had arrived in the city the day before yesterday.
She is informally engaged to marry Kawase; and Saito wanted
me to adopt her prior to the marriage, so I acceded to his
wishes. ...
16
November 1871
...Miss Egawa Kiyo came to my house for the first time tonight,
and joined my family immediately. Mr. and Mrs. Okada Saburo
and Fukui Jundo also came; and Miss Egawa became my adopted
daughter Okiyo.*
*Osei
is an alternate pronounciation of the name Okiyo. She was
a member of the Egawa Tarozaemon family, Kido's old instructor
in artillery in 1854.
20
November 1871
...I went up to the Palace at 10, and received the following
order in the presence of His Majesty, the Emperor:
