YOMIMONO
Great Figures of the Bakumatsu
The samurai, shogunal retainers, and thinkers who raced through Japan's turning point. We trace their lives and legacies, grounded in the historical record.
Sakamoto Ryōma — The Tosa Visionary Who United Satsuma and Chōshū
A low-ranking Tosa samurai who left his domain, built a trading company, and brokered the Satsuma–Chōshū Alliance. A fact-based look at the brief, decisive life of one of the Bakumatsu's most celebrated figures.
Saigō Takamori — The Satsuma Giant Who Led the Restoration and Died in Revolt
He achieved the bloodless surrender of Edo and became a central architect of the Meiji Restoration, only to take up arms against the new government and fall in the Satsuma Rebellion. A fact-based account of a dramatic life.
Yoshida Shōin — The Teacher Who Trained the Restoration at the Shōka Sonjuku
In just a few years of running a private school, Yoshida Shōin educated the men who would lead the Meiji Restoration. From his attempt to stow away on Perry's ships to his death in the Ansei Purge, a fact-based portrait of the thinker and teacher.
Takasugi Shinsaku — The Maverick Who Raised the Kiheitai and Turned Chōshū to Revolt
He founded the Kiheitai, a militia open to all classes, and in a life of just twenty-seven years pushed Chōshū decisively toward overthrowing the shogunate. A fact-based portrait of a Shōka Sonjuku prodigy.
Kido Takayoshi (Katsura Kogorō) — The Chōshū Strategist Among the Three Great Nobles
Known in the Bakumatsu as Katsura Kogorō, he sustained the Satsuma–Chōshū Alliance from the Chōshū side and helped build the foundations of the new government. A fact-based portrait of one of the "Three Great Nobles of the Restoration."
Ōkubo Toshimichi — The Cool-Headed Statesman Who Built the Meiji State
One of the Three Great Nobles of the Restoration, Ōkubo Toshimichi drove the abolition of the domains and the promotion of industry with cool, decisive administration, laying the framework of the Meiji state. A fact-based portrait.
Katsu Kaishū — The Shogunal Retainer Who Saved Edo from the Flames
He crossed the Pacific on the Kanrin Maru and devoted himself to building a navy, then achieved the bloodless surrender of Edo through his talks with Saigō Takamori. A fact-based portrait of a far-sighted shogunal official.
Hijikata Toshizō — The Shinsengumi Vice-Commander Who Fought to the Last
As vice-commander of the Shinsengumi he held the corps to iron discipline, then fought on with the old shogunate's forces all the way to Hakodate, where he fell. A fact-based portrait of the man who raced through the end of the samurai age.
Kondō Isami — Commander of the Shinsengumi
Rising from a Tama dojo master to commander of the Shinsengumi, he kept order in Kyoto, made his name in the Ikedaya Incident, and fell with the defeat of the old shogunate. A fact-based portrait.
Tokugawa Yoshinobu — The Last Shogun Who Returned Power to the Emperor
As the fifteenth shogun of the Edo shogunate, he carried out the Taisei Hōkan and brought the warrior government to a close. A fact-based portrait of the last shogun, from the return of power to his long retirement.
Ii Naosuke — The Chief Minister Who Forced Open Japan and Fell at Sakuradamon
As chief minister he signed the Harris Treaty and led the Ansei Purge against his opponents. A fact-based portrait of the man who drove the opening of Japan by force and died in the Sakuradamon Incident.
Iwakura Tomomi — The Court Noble Who Steered the New State
A court noble who plotted the overthrow of the shogunate and realized the restoration of imperial rule, then led a mission to inspect the West. A fact-based portrait of a key architect of the Meiji state.
Nakaoka Shintarō — The Tosa Activist Who Bound Satsuma and Chōshū with Ryōma
He worked with Sakamoto Ryōma to bring about the Satsuma–Chōshū Alliance and led the Rikuentai. A fact-based portrait of the activist who shared Ryōma's fate at the Ōmiya.
Fukuzawa Yukichi — The Enlightenment Thinker Who Urged Japan to Learn
He studied Dutch learning at the Tekijuku, saw the West firsthand, and founded Keiō Gijuku. Through "An Encouragement of Learning" he enlightened a generation. A fact-based portrait of a leading figure of Japan's civilization and enlightenment.