Ii Naosuke

Ii Naosuke was a prominent Daimyo of the Tokugawa shogunate, serving as the Tairō from 1858 to 1860. He played a crucial role in the late Tokugawa shogunate, particularly in the areas of foreign policy and reform, interacting with notable figures such as Matthew Perry, Townsend Harris, and Shimazu Nariakira. Ii Naosuke's life and career were deeply intertwined with significant events and individuals of the time, including the Meiji Restoration, Sakamoto Ryōma, and Katsu Kaishū. His policies and actions had far-reaching consequences, influencing the course of Japanese history and the country's relationships with other nations, such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Russia.

● Early Life and Career

Ii Naosuke was born in 1790 in Hikone Domain, the son of Ii Naonaka, a high-ranking official in the Tokugawa shogunate. He was educated in the traditional Confucian manner, studying the works of Confucius, Mencius, and other prominent Chinese philosophers, as well as the Japanese classics, such as The Tale of Genji and The Pillow Book. Ii Naosuke's early career was marked by his service to the Tokugawa shogunate, where he worked closely with notable figures like Tokugawa Ieyoshi and Abe Masahiro. He was also influenced by the ideas of Sakuma Shōzan, a prominent Japanese philosopher and politician, who advocated for the modernization of Japan through the adoption of Western technology and institutions, such as the British Royal Navy and the French National Assembly.

● Role

in the Late Tokugawa Shogunate As the Tairō of the Tokugawa shogunate, Ii Naosuke played a key role in shaping the country's foreign policy and reform efforts, interacting with foreign dignitaries like Matthew Perry, Townsend Harris, and Rutherford Alcock. He was a strong supporter of the Harris Treaty, which aimed to establish formal diplomatic relations between Japan and the United States, and worked closely with Shimazu Nariakira to implement the treaty's provisions. Ii Naosuke's policies were also influenced by his interactions with other notable figures, including Katsu Kaishū, Sakamoto Ryōma, and Itō Hirobumi, who would later become key players in the Meiji Restoration. Additionally, he was involved in the development of the Tokugawa shogunate's relationships with other countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, and Russia, through treaties like the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Aigun.

● Ansei Purge

The Ansei Purge was a significant event in Ii Naosuke's career, during which he implemented a series of policies aimed at consolidating power and eliminating opposition to the Tokugawa shogunate. The purge was sparked by the Sakuradamon Incident, in which a group of Ronin attempted to assassinate Tokugawa Iemochi, the Shōgun of Japan. Ii Naosuke's response to the incident was to launch a crackdown on perceived enemies of the state, including members of the Sonno Joi movement, which advocated for the expulsion of foreign influence and the restoration of the Emperor of Japan to power. Notable figures affected by the purge included Yoshida Shōin, a prominent Japanese philosopher and educator, and Kiyokawa Hachirō, a Japanese politician and samurai. The purge had significant consequences for the Tokugawa shogunate, contributing to the growing unrest and opposition that would eventually lead to the Meiji Restoration and the downfall of the shogunate.

● Foreign Policy and Reforms

Ii Naosuke's foreign policy and reform efforts were focused on modernizing Japan and opening it up to the rest of the world, while also maintaining the country's independence and sovereignty. He was influenced by the ideas of Fukuzawa Yukichi, a prominent Japanese philosopher and educator, who advocated for the adoption of Western values and institutions in Japan. Ii Naosuke's policies included the establishment of formal diplomatic relations with foreign countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom, and France, through treaties like the Treaty of Kanagawa and the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Amity and Commerce. He also implemented reforms aimed at modernizing Japan's military, economy, and education system, drawing on the expertise of foreign advisors like Jules Brunet and Léonce Verny. Additionally, he was involved in the development of Japan's relationships with other countries in Asia, such as China and Korea, through diplomatic efforts like the Treaty of Tianjin and the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1876.

● Assassination and Legacy

Ii Naosuke was assassinated in 1860 by a group of Ronin from the Mito Domain, who were opposed to his policies and perceived him as a traitor to the Tokugawa shogunate. The assassination was a significant event in Japanese history, marking the beginning of the end of the Tokugawa shogunate and the rise of the Meiji Restoration. Ii Naosuke's legacy is complex and multifaceted, with some viewing him as a visionary leader who helped to modernize Japan and open it up to the rest of the world, while others see him as a ruthless politician who was responsible for the persecution of his opponents. Notable figures who have written about Ii Naosuke's life and legacy include Nitobe Inazō, a prominent Japanese philosopher and educator, and George Sansom, a British historian and Japanologist. Today, Ii Naosuke is remembered as a key figure in Japanese history, whose policies and actions helped to shape the course of the country's development and its relationships with the rest of the world, including countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and China.