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.
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While the Shogun Still Breathed ―― On the Fifth Day of the Seventh Month of Ansei 5 (1858), Ii Naosuke’s Disposition of Owari, Mito, and Echizen
Ii Naosuke entered the castle at his usual hour, and his departure that day extended to nine-half at night, 1 a.m. The reason was that the beriberi of the shogun Tokugawa Iesada had worsened. "The… -
The Unscheduled Castle Visit of Owari, Mito, and Echizen ―― From the Second Month to the Twelfth Month of Ansei 5
A messenger from Mito came to Nakane Yukie, a retainer of Matsudaira Yoshinaga. The message was that they wished Yoshinaga to go to the castle as well and join the consultation. -
The Shield of “I Beg Your Pardon” ―― On the Twenty-Third Day of the Sixth Month of Ansei 5, Tokugawa Yoshinobu Confronts Ii Naosuke
The twenty-second day of the sixth month of Ansei 5 (1858). A chief retainer of the Hitotsubashi house, having withdrawn from Edo Castle, returned to the residence and presented his lord with a… -
The Three Characters “Violation of the Imperial Command” ―― Tokugawa Nariaki’s Petition and Ii Naosuke’s Reply, Sixth Month of Ansei 5 (1858)
At the Mito domain residence in Edo, Tokugawa Nariaki was making corrections to an inquiry document. It was a reply. -
The Sealed Memorial of the Third Day of the Fifth Month ―― Kawaji Toshiakira’s Memorial on the Selection of an Heir and His Demotion Three Days Later
The third day of the fifth month of Ansei 5 (1858). It was submitted to the senior councilor Hotta Masayoshi. Kawaji had been prepared for this from the outset, Tokutomi Sohō surmises. -
Eight Hours at the West Magistrate’s Office in Nagasaki ―― The Fourth Year of Kaei, Twelfth Month: The First Negotiations Between Kawaji Toshiakira and the Russian Envoys
In Nagasaki it rained heavily all day from morning. At nine in the morning, the Russian envoys appeared at the West Magistrate's Office. The two men did not leave their seats until four in the… -
We will not borrow a fire ship ―― Kawaji Toshiakira’s visit to the Russian ship and delivery of the reply letter, in the twelfth month of Kaei 6 (1853)
Clear skies. -
Stalling for Five Years, for Ten Years ―― In the Sixth Month of Kaei 6, Tokugawa Nariaki Was Told the Shogunate’s True Intentions at the Komagome Residence
Tokugawa Nariaki was watching Hachirōmaro, dressed in armor, ride a horse at Sugi Baba. It was around the seventh half-hour, roughly five in the afternoon. Word reached him even at the riding ground.
