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Kamuii
7th September 2000, 08:06
I heard that the Tokugawa gave back the power to the Emperor. Please correct me if I am wrong. Now if I am not wrong, then could anyone tell my why they gave back the power to the Emperor?

Arnold Vargas
Genbukan Satoichi Dojo
&
Tsunami-Ryu Bujutsu

Joseph Svinth
8th September 2000, 07:44
For a history on the Internet, try

http://www.rhodes.edu/histhtmls/histnet.html#Asian

The site of most immediate interest is probably http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/eastasia/eastasiasbook.html#Japan

***

Meanwhile, are you sure you meant "Tokugawa"? The Meiji Restoration is the one that ostensibly returned power to the emperor. If so, for a high school level history outline, try http://www.smith.edu/fcceas/curriculum/dunnagan.htm

And, for Encyclopaedia Britannica's take, try http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/7/0,5716,74677+1+72774,00.html

Kamuii
8th September 2000, 09:16
Thanks again Joe! :)

Best,

Arnold

ghp
14th September 2000, 06:16
Arnold,

http://www.geocities.co.jp/WallStreet-Bull/1460/gazou/yoshinobu.jpg

Tokugawa Yoshinobu, 1827-1913

In short, it was a brokered surrender following a fierce civil war known as the "Meiji Restoration" [Meiji Isshin]. The terms of surrender were negotiated in part by the famous sword master, Yamaoka Tesshu. The surrendering shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu lived a life of retirement and was granted the rank of Prince in 1902.

Prior to becoming shogun his name was Tokugawa Keiki. About two years ago NHK had a dynamite one-year long weekly series about his exciting life.


From http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/0/0,5716,74680+1+72777,00.html:

Elevated to shogun in 1866, as Tokugawa Yoshinobu, he made a desperate effort to obtain French aid. As pressure increased he agreed to surrender his powers in 1867, expecting to be the first among equals in any new power structure that emerged. Satsuma and Choshu leaders, however, decided to move first; on Jan. 3, 1868, a group of radical samurai seized the palace in Kyoto and declared an Imperial restoration. Although Yoshinobu agreed to accept the results of the coup, his advisers refused, and a short civil war ensued. When the Imperial forces marched on the shogunal capital at Edo (now Tokyo), Yoshinobu finally forced his troops to surrender. Yoshinobu himself was allowed to retire to Mito. Later pardoned, he was granted the rank of prince in 1902.


Regards,
Guy

Kamuii
14th September 2000, 06:23
Thanks Guy!

It has been really great to have you and Joseph help me out on this one. Thank you both! I appreciate it. :)

Thank you again! :smilejapa

Best,

Arnold Vargas
Genbukan Satoichi Dojo
&
Tsunami-Ryu Bujutsu

ghp
14th September 2000, 07:33
Arnold,

Glad to help. What is not mentioned in the history is that Keiki was a third son and was not expected to become shogun. However, he was quick witted. His father, a very stern and well respected samurai, worked behind the scenes for Keiki to be selected (I think that happened after the old Mito lord died).

What follows is as depicted in the NHK series.

[I must add that the basis for the series was written by a well known and respected historian. I don't know the man, but my wife recognized his name. The NHK series tries to maitain as much authenticity as possible -- but there is probably some truth-stretching involved. Do not take this as bonafide history --- unless Dr. Bodiford comes online and says it is true.]

http://www.nhk.or.jp/bunken/BCRI-img/i03-d4-1.jpg

Before becoming shogun, Keiki was adopted into the Hitotsubashi clan, becoming its head. The adoption was arranged by his father to better prepare Keiki as a shogunal choice. As such, he was later placed in charge of Kyoto's defenses (Protector of the Emperor ... or some such official title) during the tumultuous time when Satsuma was sending anarchists and instigators to cause trouble. Assasinations were not uncommon and it was Lord Keiki's job to maintain order (Thar's a new marshul in town, folkes!). Not only did he save Kyoto (well, his samurai and his personal actions), but according to the NHK story, he also participated in hand-to-hand fighting at one of the gates of Kyoto (I think that's where it was). Although not a "John Wayne", he was no sissy-boy, that's for sure.

Keiki repeatedly turned down the offer to be shogun -- but it was just an act; he had been working the politics for some time to ensure he would be selected.

From http://www.nhk.or.jp/bunken/BCRI-rup/h03-d4.html:
The Taiga Drama for 1998 features Yoshinobu TOKUGAWA, the last shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate which lasted for around 250 years. By Yoshinobu's final decision, the political power of the shogunate was returned to the emperor in 1868 without an all-out civil war. This makes him one of the most important Japanese in the transition to the modern era.
As Taiga Dramas are based on careful study of related documents, each series is a great help for Japanese to appreciate their own history. In short, Taiga Dramas on Sunday evenings are one of TV's cultural masterpieces for the general public.


Regards,
Guy

Joseph Svinth
14th September 2000, 07:52
BTW, the Tokugawas were major patrons of sumo. For an English-language article on this, see, for example, Iyemasa Tokugawa, "Japanese Wrestling," *Transactions and Proceedings of the Japan Society London*, 10 (1911-1912). Tokugawa was a diplomat; as I recall, he ended up ambassador to Canada during the 1930s. Meanwhile, another Tokugawa was appointed head of the Japanese International Olympic Committee in 1936. He wasn't happy about this, though, as he was simultaneously head of the Japanese Red Cross, and with the "Emergency" (aka war) in China, he was staying pretty busy.

The Tokugawas lived comfortably, too, as during the 1930s, a couple hundred million yen still bought something.

Kamuii
16th September 2000, 05:37
Domo Arigato gozaimashita! :smilejapa

Arnold Vargas
Genbukan Satoichi Dojo
&
Tsunami-Ryu Bujutsu

Robert Reinberger
18th September 2000, 01:13
I was informed, that Tokugawa Yasuhiza (would have been the 18th Tokugawa Shogun) succeeded the late Hogen Shinsaku as president of the Kokusai Budoin/Kokusai Budo Renmei, the 'International Martial Arts Federation - IMAF' recently.

Best regards,
Robert