From histories of the Meiji, Taishō and early Shōwa eras
Reading century-old histories
against the originals.
Japanese history, written from histories and collections of sources published between the Meiji era and the early Shōwa era, in a form where every sentence can be traced to its source.
-
Manabe’s Visit to the Palace and His Report ―― From the 2nd Month of Kōka 3 (1846) to the 12th Month of Ansei 5 (1858)
From early morning, Kyoto was struck by a sudden shower, and thunder rolled. At the hour of the snake, just before ten in the morning, the sky finally cleared. -
The author of the script was not shallow in judgment ―― the decision in the sixth month of Ansei 5 to send Manabe Akikatsu and Sakai Tadaaki up to the capital
The twelfth day of the sixth month of Ansei 5 (1858). -
The Emperor’s Wish for Clemency ―― From the Second Month to the Twelfth Month of Ansei 6
The twenty-first day of the second month of Ansei 6 (1859). It was a document to the effect that Edo should be approached. -
The Tinted Lens of the Ii Side ―― The Eleventh Month of Ansei 5: From the Record of Inquiries into Mito Affairs to the Evil Hand Reaching Mito
The eleventh month of Ansei 5 (1858). A bundle of rumor records had been placed at Ii Naosuke's side. The title was "Record of Inquiries into Mito Affairs." -
Abe Masahiro’s Letter of Resignation ―― A Report of Headache and Dizziness, Fourth Month of Ansei 1
The tenth day of the fourth month of Ansei 1 (1854). Abe Masahiro, the senior councilor in the chief seat, did not attend the castle. He sent a short report to Makino Tadamasa, a fellow senior… -
“Take down the curtains,” said the commodore ―― A day at the Yokohama reception hall, the tenth day of the second month of Kaei 7
The tenth day of the second month of Kaei 7 (1854), Yokohama. The meeting hall on the shore was completely enclosed on all four sides with curtains. From outside, the interior could not be seen. -
The First Day of the Sixth Month: Announcement of the Adopted Lord ―― The Shogunate That Concealed the Name, and Kyoto’s Reply Blocked by the River
The first day of the sixth month of Ansei 5 (1858). The members of the Gosanke who had come to Edo Castle as usual (Owari excepted), the two kyō lords, and the men of the Tamarinoma-zume were ordered… -
Kyoto in the Second Month of Bunkyū 3 ―― The Summoning of the Daimyo and the Proclamation of Expelling the Barbarians
On the sixteenth day of the second month of Bunkyū 3 (1863), at the hour of six-half in the morning (seven o'clock). Matsudaira Yoshinaga, holder of the office of chief of state affairs, went out…
