Man of Many Trades: Takasugi
the traveler and the monk
Like others from the
Sonjuku, Takasugi chose to travel and further his education rather than
become involved in street politics. In the years after Shoin's death,
Takasugi chose to seek out older reformers like Satsuma Shozan and Yokoi
Shonan.
In the second month
of 1860, Takasugi entered the Choshu Naval Instruction Bureau (Gunkan
Kyoju-sho), and sailed as a crewman on the Heishin-maru to Edo. In the
process, he discovered he had much to learn about sailing.
In Edo, he met Kusaka
and Kido, who told him of their current political plans (webmaster
note: I believe this refers to the possibility of alliances between
various reformist hans).
Takasugi decided that
instead of politics, he would pursue permission to tour the northeast
and go to Mito and Nikko.
On 9/22, he met with
the reformist Sakuma Shozan in Shirakawa. On 10/1 he met with Yokoi
Shonan, before returning to Hagi.
On 12/10/60, it appeared
that Takasugi was raised to lecturer status at the Meirinkan. During
this time, he reads "A Military Discussion of Maritime Nations"
by Hayashi Shihei and "Record of Traditional Learning" by
Wang Yang-mang.
The following year
(3/21/61), he was raised to page-tutor to the heir Sadahiro and ordered
(6/61) to travel to Edo as an escort to the daimyo's party. This party
arrived on 7/21/61, at which time Kusaka and Sufu were both trying to
construct the multi-han alliance (Satsuma, Choshu, Tosa and Mito) and
overthrow Nagai's mediation.
Aside fromTakasugi's
unwillingness to involve himself in politics, Kido submitted Takasugi's
name for a Bakufu mission to Shanghai. On 8/8/61, permission was granted
for Takasugi to accompany this 'mission to investigate trading opportunities'
and left on the Sensui-maru (from Edo Bay) on 1/3/62.
During this journey,
Takasugi kept a journal, noting the trade on the Yangtze, the ways of
the foreign consulates, and the poor living conditions of the ordinary
Chinese. He also observed the British and Chinese military efforts against
the Taiping rebels. He was perturbed to find China a "European
colony."
"One could
say that the Chinese are being altogether taken advantage by the foreigners.
When an Englishman or a Frenchman walks down the street, the Chinese
all scurry out of the way... Although Shanghai is on Chinese soil,
is it not an English and French colony?"
Upon his return (7/62),
he relayed his thoughts to his Sonjuku colleagues, inciting concern.
On 8/23, he reported
to the daimyo, and was restored to his official status as attache to
the court nobles' acadmy, the Gakushuin, much to his displeasure. His
task would be to particpate as a Choshu representative in metropolitan
politics.
In 9/62, he moved
to Edo, and in a letter to Kido complained that these petitions and
politicking were futile and advocated more direct policies. Kido did
not respond favorably, and Takasugi then appealed to Sufu, who replied--
It is
as you say, but your discussion is too extreme. If ten years pass,
the opportunity may come. Until then, it is important to weaken the
influence of the Bakufu even if only by small degrees... How would
it be to work as a school official?
Takasugi's response
was not positive. Instead of waiting ten years as such, he decided he
wanted ten years to study and meditate. Such was his conviction, that
he shaved his head like a monk and changed his name to Togyo ("Going
East").
The government of
Choshu agreed to this request, and he left Kyoto 3/26/63 -- but only
after drinking his travel money twice before leaving. (Takasugi borrowed
from Sufu once and from the choshu compound in Osaka). He arrivfed in
Hagi 4/10/63 and lived quietly with his wife (who he had married in
1860 at his father's bequest.)
Takasugi "would
sooner remove himself altogether than participate in a compromise of
doubtful sincerity."
