To Shimazu Nariakira, who was in Edo, two completely opposite reports arrived from Satsuma with the same date and the same addressee. On the 2nd day of the 2nd month of Kaei 4 (1851), Nariakira succeeded to the family headship at age 42. Behind this lay a weakness in the report his father, Shimazu Narioki, had submitted concerning Ryūkyū.
Earlier in Satsuma, a disturbance called the Takasaki Purge had occurred, and Kondō, Takasaki, and Yamada had lost their lives. Tokutomi Sohō lists four reasons why those opposed to Nariakira could not make use of this good opportunity. Nariakira’s own strength, the efforts of relatives and close friends, and the sympathy of Abe Masahiro, who stood at the center of the shogunate. And the weakness in Narioki’s handling of the Ryūkyū matter.
Narioki submitted a report to the shogunate on the 28th day of the 6th month of Kaei 3. Its content stated that the French had withdrawn, that the British remained, but that the people’s hearts were settled. In fact, on the 7th day of the 11th month of Kaei 2, a British ship had come to Ryūkyū and demanded the opening of trade. The Satsuma authorities kept this hidden until the summer of Kaei 3, continuing to report only that things were calm.
If they told the truth, it would contradict the father’s report; if they stayed silent, they themselves would also be lying. On the 23rd day of the 8th month of Kaei 3, Nariakira wrote a long letter to Date Munenari, the lord of Uwajima castle, setting out his troubled feelings. He wrote that this was more serious than the padded report of Kōka 1. Munenari conveyed this to the shogunate side, and Abe Masahiro replied that there would be no open punishment for the time being, but that the facts should be quietly reported. On top of this, he remarked that Narioki must now retire.
On the 13th day of the 11th month, Tsutsui Masanori, who was also Nariakira’s teacher in scholarship, summoned the chief retainer Shimazu Shōsō and the guard captain Yoshitoshi Naka. He told them that the request concerning the tea utensils would not be granted, and that there was no choice but to report quickly and have him retire, and he even handed over a copy written in his own hand. On the 1st day of the 12th month, Narioki requested retirement, citing his age and chronic illness. The shogunate approved this on the 7th day of the 12th month, and ordered that the remaining British be made to leave quickly. Even so, those around him added that Narioki would continue to direct the matter of the foreigners even after his retirement.
Nariakira endured this and succeeded to the family headship. On the 5th day of the 3rd month of Kaei 4, he had Date Munenari once again confirm Abe Masahiro’s thinking. Abe’s answer was that if the matter were settled by the time of the next visit to Edo, it would be to his credit. The senior officials who had tried to corner Nariakira in the Takasaki Purge ended up, in the Ryūkyū matter, being the ones pressed down instead. Tokutomi Sohō writes that whether this was Nariakira’s own design or simply how events unfolded cannot be said for certain, but that the child rose without wounding the father.
What moved events, so that the son succeeded to the family without accusing the father, can be followed through the letter to Date Munenari and Abe Masahiro’s reply.
Contradictory Reports from Satsuma
Two reports from Satsuma reached Shimazu Nariakira in Edo.Original
One was addressed from Shimazu Shōsō to Shimazu Iwami.Original
Its content was that Ryūkyū was peaceful and there was nothing to worry about.Original
The other was a confidential report addressed to the same Shimazu Iwami, from Shimazu Bungo and Suekawa Ōmi.Original
Its content was the exact opposite.Original
It said that Ryūkyū was unsettled and the situation was not easy.Original
The same date.Original
The same addressee.Original
And completely opposite content.Original
Tokutomi Sohō writes, “Thus Nariakira received, on exactly the same date, opposite reports: on the surface, peace and tranquility, and behind the scenes, much trouble and unrest.”Original
He then goes on to ask this.Original
How did Nariakira intend to deal with this?OriginalOriginal
右者伺越相成候而も、表立指圖は相成兼候事にて、兼而御委任も有之義、且此間御暇之節被相達候通り、何れ之道被遊御安心候樣取計方肝要にて候得者、唐國え爲懸合候得共、はかどり兼候はゞ、時宜次第內密薩摩守相談所存之通り、重々念入琉人を以、在留英人え爲懸合候而不苦。尤不伺越臨機之取計有之候とも、聊後日薩摩守不念には不相成事に而、萬端厚被致熟慮、後患無之樣精々念入被取計、取締等は彌嚴重に被相心得候樣、明年參府迄に落著候はゞ、別而手柄之義と存候
Open the original page at the National Diet LibraryThe Man Who Escaped the Vortex of the Takasaki Purge
This was the so-called Takasaki Purge.Original
Men such as Kondō, Takasaki, and Yamada lost their lives.Original
That he narrowly escaped from the midst of it can hardly be called mere lucky chance.Original
The turmoil was precisely the opportunity that Nariakira’s opposing faction should have seized.Original
Why did Nariakira’s opposing faction let this perfect opportunity slip?Original
Sohō gives four reasons.Original
First, Nariakira himself was too powerful to be easily attacked.Original
Second, relatives and close friends such as Kuroda, Date, Nanbu, and Okudaira worked to protect him.Original
Third, Abe Masahiro, the central figure in the shogunate’s council, was an acquaintance and sympathizer of Nariakira.Original
And the fourth was what Sohō calls “the most powerful reason of all” ―― that Shimazu Narioki’s handling of Ryūkyū had a very serious weakness.Original
If the shogunate were to investigate this openly and fairly, it would become a matter of grave consequence for the Shimazu house.Original
Sohō sees it this way: since Nariakira’s faction held this weakness in hand, the fallout from the Takasaki Purge could by no means be extended to reach Nariakira himself.Original
It was Nariakira’s side, rather, that held the weakness.OriginalOriginal
Please consult the original page images for this source.
Open the original page at the National Diet LibraryThe Report That Said “Withdrawn Without Incident”
The report that Narioki submitted to the shogunate was dated the twenty-eighth day of the sixth month of Kaei 3 (1850).OriginalOriginal
It states, “The French withdrew without incident; the English have not yet withdrawn and remain, but the sentiment of the people throughout the domain has returned to normal, and there is nothing to be concerned about.”Original
This means that the French withdrew without trouble, and although the English remain, the sentiment of the people throughout the domain has returned to normal, and there is nothing to worry about.OriginalOriginal
It further states that the English who remain there are “residing in complete peace,” and that when they see the sick or the blind, they offer to treat them, sometimes giving out ointment or sweets.Original
They urge the Ryūkyūans to study Western medicine, but since Chinese medical arts have long been studied there and serve their needs well, they respond moderately — the report continues in this vein.OriginalOriginal
But behind the scenes, the truth was entirely different.OriginalOriginal
On the seventh day of the eleventh month of Kaei 2 (1849), a British ship had come to Ryūkyū, presented a letter from the minister of state for military affairs, and demanded that trade begin.Original
Sohō writes that the situation was “an extremely grave one.”OriginalOriginal
嘉永二年十一月七日、英國船琉球に來舶し、軍機大臣の書面を提出し、交易開始を要求し、事體頗る容易ならざる情勢であつた
Open the original page at the National Diet LibrarySatsuma’s officials had hidden this fact until the summer of Kaei 3 (1850), continuing to report only that all was peaceful and uneventful.OriginalOriginal
To Be Loyal Is to Fail to Be Filial
Nariakira was troubled.OriginalOriginal
If he told the shogunate the plain truth, it would expose his father Narioki’s error.Original
If he silently let his father’s report stand, he would be complicit in falsifying the facts.OriginalOriginal
So he confided his distress to his close friend Date Munenari.Original
He was the lord of Uwajima Castle, the son of the shogunal bannerman Yamaguchi Naokatsu, who had become the adopted son of Date Munetada, and was known at the time as “one of the wise daimyo.”OriginalOriginal
That letter, dated the twenty-third day of the eighth month of Kaei 3 (1850), is long.OriginalOriginal
Nariakira raises three points from it.Original
The matter of the British ship coming and proposing trade, the matter of negotiations with Qing China, and the matter of demands for Japan’s submission ―― “these three matters have not been reported, and to keep them secret is truly inexcusable.”Original
This means that failing to report these three matters and keeping them secret cannot possibly be excused.OriginalOriginal
He compares the present state of Ryūkyū to an illness.Original
“It has already become an affliction of the heart and lungs, so it is far too late, and a full recovery cannot be counted on.”Original
It is already in a state like a disease of the heart and lungs, too late to treat, with no certainty of full recovery.OriginalOriginal
And of his father he writes this.
In Kōka 1 (1844), when a French ship came to Ryūkyū, there was an incident in which, although only a little over 150 guard troops had been dispatched, the shogunate was informed that over 700 had been sent.Original
That had arisen from Zusho Shōzaemon’s “ill-conceived scheme,” and since the matter was minor and might serve as a basis for future correction, Narioki had, after consulting privately with Kuroda Nagahiro and others, reported the truth confidentially.Original
But this time, Nariakira writes, the matter is graver than that, and discrepancies with the facts have piled up repeatedly.OriginalOriginal
先年人數相違之節者(弘化元年佛船琉球に來航の時、守衞兵百五十人餘を派遣し、幕府え七百餘人と屆出たる事實を斥す)笑左衞門(調所)惡智より事起り、其上事柄も從此節者輕く、又者以後改正之爲にも可相成哉と、美濃守(黑田長溥)等え及內談、事實及內奏候得共
Open the original page at the National Diet Library“Given the circumstances as you know them, it is very difficult to have my way, and I am truly at a loss.”Original
This means that, given the circumstances as Date already knew them, things did not go as Nariakira wished, and he was truly at a loss.OriginalOriginal
Sohō says that in this one phrase, one can imagine the various circumstances that had lain coiled between the father and son, Narioki and Nariakira.OriginalOriginal
“Ōsumi Too Must Now Retire”
Having received the letter, Date Munenari took action.Original
On the twenty-fifth, the rusui was summoned.Original
Munenari’s memorandum survives.Original
Munenari conveyed Nariakira’s distress and asked whether he should report the matter confidentially or remain silent.Original
He said that if, as a result of a confidential report, some ruling were handed down, Nariakira would bear the name of an unfilial son, it would also harm Narioki, and it would instead cause internal confusion that would interfere with handling the external threat.Original
“‘Well, well, this is not misconduct that began today'” — meaning this outrageous conduct did not begin now, he said.Original
He then added a conjecture.Original
Perhaps Narioki knew all the details but, thinking it would harm his own prospects for promotion, had covered the matter up.Original
At the time Narioki held the rank of Senior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade, Councillor, and hoped to be promoted to Junior Third Rank on the occasion of the Ryūkyū prince’s visit to the shogunate.Original
Sohō supposes that this is probably what Abe meant by “the matter of his own promotion.”Original
Munenari defended Narioki, saying that it was Narioki who did not know the circumstances, that chief retainer Ikariyama Shōsō and others had probably not explained matters to him in detail, and that “in the end it is the fault of Shōsō and his like.”Original
Abe replied.Original
He said that originally an open ruling would be natural, but disorder in a great house was not something the shogunate desired; knowing the facts would also aid deliberation; and that, understanding there would for now be no formal ruling, Munenari should make his report confidentially.Original
After Munenari expressed his thanks, a remark came from Abe’s mouth.Original
“Well, I think Ōsumi must now retire.”Original
Meaning that Narioki must now retire.Original
“This is the one great point; a thousand ravines and ten thousand streams all converge on this single conclusion.”Original
That is to say, every current converges on this one point.Original
He also said that everyone had been waiting for this remark to come from the senior councillor’s mouth.Original
Munenari responded at once.Original
He said that the matter of Narioki’s retirement had already come up recently, and it appeared that Kuroda Nagahiro and other close relatives had already reached an understanding on it.Original
He pressed the point, however, that there should be “no formal ruling” — that no punishment should be handed down.Original
Openly, a document concealing the truth was issued in Narioki’s name, while behind the scenes a document stating the facts exactly as they were, in Nariakira’s name, reached Abe Masahiro’s hands through Munenari.OriginalOriginal
及內內奏時に相成、修理如懸念、萬々一何等御沙汰筋御座候而は、不孝の名をおひ、又大隅身分にかゝり候のみならず、却而內輪混亂を引起し、中山(琉球)之處置も不行屆、內患彌增候計にて、外患の手當にも差障可申と相考候間
Open the original page at the National Diet LibraryThe Chief Retainer Who Nearly Wept
Narioki had hoped for promotion to Junior Third Rank, but this was not granted for lack of precedent, so he had privately petitioned to receive a tea utensil instead.Original
About half a month before this, on the morning of the thirteenth day of the eleventh month.Original
Tsutsui Masanori, senior rusui of Nishinomaru, summoned Satsuma domain’s chief retainer Shimazu Shōsō and guard captain Yoshitoshi Naka.Original
Tsutsui Masanori was Nariakira’s teacher in scholarship, and also one of the capable shogunate officials trusted by Abe Masahiro.Original
Kuroda Nagahiro, Nanbu Nobuyuki, Okudaira Masataka, and other close relatives, together with Date Munenari, had consulted together and intended to urge Narioki’s retirement on the occasion of the bestowal of the tea utensil.Original
The summons on this day was made in line with that intention.Original
Tsutsui said:Original
he had already put the matter of the private petition to Abe Masahiro, but Abe’s manner in responding had seemed suspicious, so he had pressed further, whereupon Abe said that if the reward were forced through and some mishap occurred, all of Narioki’s lifetime of service would come to nothing.Original
When he had gone to the castle yesterday and inquired, this was the situation he had learned.Original
At this point, “there is truly no other way now” — since there was no other recourse, Narioki should be told clearly and, having resolved himself, should retire; there was no alternative.Original
The two men, perhaps having anticipated this to some degree, showed no particular surprise, but did show a look of embarrassment.Original
Tsutsui wrote out a memorandum of the message in his own hand and gave it to them.Original
He said that showing this would make it easier to convey the matter, and would not arouse Narioki’s suspicion.Original
The two men were greatly pleased.Original
Tsutsui went on to press the point further.Original
He told them to consult with Nanbu Nobuyuki and to submit the document as soon as possible.Original
Otherwise, he said, if some ruling were handed down in the near future, it would be “an outrageous matter.”Original
At this, the two men agreed without a single word of excuse.Original
When Tsutsui expressed sympathy, saying that Narioki, being “an extremely honest and timid man,” would surely be shocked, Shōsō in particular appeared “weakened to the point of nearly shedding tears” — that is, he looked as though he might burst into tears, according to the memorandum.Original
Sohō comments on this passage as follows.Original
“One can see how Tsutsui Masanori, putting a velvet glove over an iron fist, embodied the intent of Senior Councillor Abe and sternly ordered the ruling that Narioki be persuaded into retirement.”Original
Inside the soft wrapping was an iron fist.OriginalOriginal
尤是は段々申聞候內、大隅守樣(齊興)御性質は、至而御正直にて、御小心なる御方に候得ば、嘸々御驚も可被成と、氣之毒にも存上、又御案事も申候へ共。各方より不及是非所之譯柄能々御納得被成、御自身より御決心被成候趣、可被申上などゝ、段々主從之情合を察し候而、申聞候故にも可有之と存候へば實人心之誠難止所
Open the original page at the National Diet LibraryCiting Hemorrhoids as the Reason
On the first day of the twelfth month of Kaei 3 (1850), Narioki submitted a private petition for retirement.Original
This was about one year after the Takasaki Purge.OriginalOriginal
The petition stated that he had received private instructions concerning the return of the Englishmen remaining in Ryūkyū and had made every effort in the matter, but that “as I am over sixty years of age, and when my chronic hemorrhoid ailment flares up I suffer great difficulty” — since he had turned over sixty and his chronic hemorrhoids caused him hardship when they flared up, and since his heir Shuri no Taifu had reached a suitable age, he wished to hand over the family headship and retire.OriginalOriginal
Sohō asserts flatly that this was not something Narioki submitted of his own will, but entirely the result of compulsion, of instruction from the shogunate authorities—that is, from Abe Masahiro himself.OriginalOriginal
On the seventh day of the twelfth month, the shogunate approved the retirement petition without objection, and at the same time ordered that, regarding Ryūkyū, the departure of the remaining Englishmen be arranged “as soon as possible.”OriginalOriginal
Yet those close to Narioki still resorted to petty manipulation.Original
They added to the directive sent to the King of Ryūkyū the words that, even after Narioki’s retirement, “as for the matter of the foreigners, it is requested that instructions continue to be given as before, and this request has been granted.”Original
That is, the matter of the foreigners would continue to be directed by Narioki even after his retirement, just as before.OriginalOriginal
Sohō calls this “an outrageous form of words.”Original
He says that it was precisely because of the Ryūkyū problem that the need for Nariakira to succeed to the domain had arisen, so what an absurd piece of treatment this was.OriginalOriginal
畢竟琉球問題があればこそ、齊彬をして襲封せしむる必要は、殊更ら加はりつゝあるに、異國人一條を是迄通り隱居となる齊興が指揮することは、何たる非常識なる仕打であらう
Open the original page at the National Diet LibraryEven so, Nariakira endured it in silence.OriginalOriginal
On the second day of the second month of Kaei 4 (1851), Nariakira, at the age of forty-two, succeeded to the domain.Original
Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade, Middle Captain of the Left Division of Inner Palace Guards, Governor of Satsuma.OriginalOriginal
The One Who Turned to the Attacking Side
On the fifth day of the third month of Kaei 4 (1851), Nariakira again entrusted Date Munenari with the task of ascertaining Abe Masahiro’s true intentions.OriginalOriginal
Abe replied.Original
If it were settled by the time of next year’s attendance at the shogunate, it would be “a matter of especial merit.”OriginalOriginal
He departed England by sailing ship in September 1845, landed in Ryūkyū on May 2 of the following year — the sixth day of the fourth month of Kōka 3 (1846) — and stayed for about nine years at Gokokuji temple in Naminoue, Naha.Original
Although called a stay, it was tantamount to imprisonment, and amid every kind of persecution he never once neglected to dispense medicine, examine patients, and treat the sick, also carried out smallpox vaccination, and translated the Bible into the Ryūkyū language.OriginalOriginal
A man of this sort was not something the shogunate or Satsuma needed to worry about so much; rather, there was something else that could not be taken lightly.OriginalOriginal
The Satsuma administrators who had tried to use the Takasaki Purge as leverage to place Nariakira in a disadvantageous position had their fate placed in Nariakira’s hands by the Ryūkyū affair.Original
Those who attacked and those who defended had changed places.Original
Was this the result of Nariakira’s own contrivance, or was it a matter of “water arriving and the channel forming of itself” — the natural course of things reaching its conclusion?Original
Sohō writes, “that is not something to be asserted definitively here,” and withholds judgment.OriginalOriginal
The only certain thing is that the child rose without wounding the father.
A man who, of the two letters that arrived on the same date, discarded neither but made full use of both.OriginalOriginal
是を以被仰上候得ば、少しは被仰上候にも被成宜、且大隅守樣御疑念も出申間敷と存候間、則是を進候と申、兼而之演舌案、相渡候所、大に悅び、兩人より段々御心入之御儀、難有と申書面を一覽致候
Open the original page at the National Diet Library| Source text | Kinsei Nihon kokuminshi, The Situation before Perry’s Arrival (1929). National Diet Library Digital Collections (PDM). PID 3431221 |
| Checked against | Ishin shiryō kōyō, vol. 1 (1937). PID 1046665 |
| Dates and names | All 9 dates in the text exist in the calendar for their year, and the Western years given alongside them agree. Of the 6 people named in the text, 6 also appear in Ishin shiryō kōyō, vol. 1. |
| English gates | 131 of 131 sentences passed the checks on the English text. |
This article is a reading of Kinsei Nihon kokuminshi, The Situation before Perry’s Arrival. Tokutomi Sohō’s views are those of the 1920s and 1930s and may differ from current scholarship. The source text is a century old and may differ from current scholarship.
