is worthless, but my cause and my clan are dear to me. Promise me that
if I exceed the limits of propriety, or if what I say appears to you
as high treason, you will permit me to let me expiate my transgression
alone, and that it shall never go beyond these walls. My young friend
will share my doom, so that the secret will remain locked up between
you.”
Both Iwakura and Sanjo bowed assent.
Kano after thanking them, said:--“Imperial orders are issued over His
Majesty’s sign manual, and the tenor of those orders depends naturally
upon the sympathy of the kuge in charge. Could not a change be effected
by which it was placed within the hands of one favorable to the cause
of Japan?”
Iwakura looked at Sanjo and shook his head. “Impossible,” he said. “The
sign manual is held for life by one appointed by Tenshi Sama upon the
request of a majority of the council. No,” he repeated, “that can not
be done.”
“In that case,” suggested Inouye, speaking before Kano could commit
himself, “can not his Majesty be induced to ride to Hakone and drive
the foreigners into the ocean. This would call forth such a host as Dai
Nippon has never seen. There would be no danger, no risk even, for I am
sure that the barbarians would not await the approach of such an army.
They would take ship and depart, with the conviction that Dai Nippon
was opposed to their presence.”
“That might be done,” said Sanjo, approvingly. “Send me an official
letter signed with the seal of your clan and containing that request,
and I shall submit it to the Council. But do it at once, and while the
impression made by Mr. Kano is vivid. Let there be no delay.”
“If your lordships will order one of your servants to go with us, the
letter shall be written at once,” replied Kano, preparing to depart.
As they were leaving, a gentleman approached followed by a page. “Are
these the gentlemen from Nagato?” he inquired. Being assured of their
identity, he took a long package from the page and severing a cord,
presented one to Kano and one to Inouye. “His Imperial Highness Prince
Arisugawa bids you accept these as a token of his good will,” he said.
Both prostrated themselves and lifted the present to their forehead.
When they arrived home, they found each a costly sword.
The letter was written and submitted to the Council. Kano’s address
must have made a deep impression, for he was informed in a private
communication from Sanjo that his suggestion had been adopted, and
orders had been issued to make the necessary preparations. At this time
the fate of the foreigners in Japan hung by a thread.
Of all the clans of the Tokugawa family,--Iyeyasu had endowed his sons
with ample estates,--all but Aidzu seemed as if stricken with palsy
at the storm raging about them. But Aidzu, in its mountain home, had
preserved its manhood, and despatched to Kyoto a man of penetration
and dauntless courage. Shortly after taking command, the guards at the
palace gates were quadrupled, and all ingress and egress prohibited,
except under a most severe system of passports, obtained from the
commandant himself.
On the 30th of September, 1863, Kano was sitting in his room
overlooking the accounts of the clan, when Ito and Inouye entered
hurriedly. There was no diminution of the salutations, and both waited
until the Councillor spoke. Kano, however, saw at once that something
important had occurred, and he simply requested them to speak.
“Your lordship,” said Ito, “there is something in the air. The
commandant of the castle has issued orders to the people to close their
houses and keep within, on penalty of being cut down. Armed patrols are
in every street, and strong bodies of Aidzu men have taken up positions
near the palace.” At this moment an officer of the guard at the gate
entered, and beckoned to Kano, who rose angrily and demanded if he had
forgotten his manners. His explanation, however, seemed to satisfy
the Councillor, for he said: All right, and hurried out. Presently
he returned accompanied by seven gentlemen, among whom Ito and Inouye
recognized Sanjo and Iwakura.
Rigidly observant of the salutations the company was at last seated,
when Karassu Maru remarked:
“Mr. Councillor, I hope Mori’s larder is well supplied, for I am afraid
you are going to have us as your guests for some time.”
Kano bowed and calling a servant ordered dinner to be prepared, when
Sanjo spoke.
“My lord Karassu Maru chooses an odd time for pleasantry, but I am
afraid, Mr. Councillor, that there is more truth in what he says than
can be agreeable to you or us. The Council has honored myself and the
gentlemen with me, with a decree of banishment.”
Perturbed as he was, Kano bowed, and said simply:--I hope that it may
please your lordships to accept the hospitality of Mori such as it is,
but which is freely offered. Permit me to look after the safety of your
lordships.
He went to the quarters of the commandant. “Have all the men under
arms, and prepare to defend the gates. See that no man bearing the
Tokugawa crest enters upon your life. Admit all stragglers, but no
one is permitted to leave the yashiki except on written order over my
seal. See that the arms and equipments are in proper order, for at five
o’clock we march. Any disobedience will be punished most severely. Is
this understood?”
“It is.”
“Very well. Send for Mr. Hattori.”
“He is in my room now.”
Kano entered. “Hattori,” he said, “we have received a severe check,
but there is no time to explain. Ride for your life to Nagato, and
inform Mori that seven kuge have been banished, and will accept his
hospitality. Do not let him entertain the idea of changes in the rooms
of the palace, but tell him that we shall be there almost as soon as
you. As you pass by, engage rooms in the usual temples.”
Hattori at once ordered a horse. Satisfied that there would be no
delay, Kano sent for Ekichi:
“Dress as a boy of the common people,” he said. “In a few minutes Mr.
Fujii will give you a basket of eggs, and tell you their price. Then go
slowly to the castle; notice closely everything you see, and report to
me. Try to sell your eggs to the soldiers of the guard, but be careful
that they do not suspect you. Be back by about four.”
The boy was ready in a few minutes, and the Councillor himself saw him
through the gate and gave him the pass word. He then returned to his
guests, and informed them that they would leave for Choshiu at five.
While they were eating their dinner, Karassu Maru entertained the
company, this was the time for relaxation, and his remarks elicited not
unfrequently peals of laughter.
“I think that Honami is to blame for the whole thing. He came to me
this morning, and said:--
“‘What do you think? I am going to buy some rabbits.’
“It did not interest me very much, but for the sake of politeness, I
asked: ‘where?’
“‘Oh!’ he said, ‘I have seen some beauties in Karassu Maru cho.’[87]
“I thought that he was indulging in personalities, and said:
“‘You don’t take me for a rabbit-warren do you?’
“‘You? No; I wish you were.’”
Shouts of laughter greeted this sally, and the speaker laughed as
heartily as the others. “Well,” he continued, “I grew tired of his
interesting conversation, and remarked that the rabbits might be
waiting for him. This suggestion seemed to strike him, for away he
trotted.
“He was not gone long before he came back in a great temper, and begged
me to go with him to the gate, because they would not let him pass. He
had told the guard, he said, that he had a very important appointment,
but they would not listen to reason.” There was a dangerous glitter in
Karassu Maru’s eye, as he continued: “I thought that the guard might
have taken liberties with a kuge, and was going to give him a lesson in
politeness. But when we came to the gate, an officer stepped out and
said: ‘Pardon me, my lord, but I am under orders to let no one pass.
The Council is in session and your lordship will soon know the reason.
I am compelled to escort you to your house.’ The fellow was serious
enough, and under guard of a dozen men I returned, Honami in his chair
asking constantly about his rabbits. I had no stomach for them then.”
XIX
BATTLE AND DEFEAT
It was a sullen procession which filed out of Choshiu’s yashiki on
that 30th of September, and it was well for the Tokugawa that no
armed opposition was offered to them. Twelve hundred deeply insulted
samurai could make sad havoc among any force, and these men hoped for
the fray. They had marched in close ranks with seven norimono, well
guarded between them. Kano was on horseback and had assumed command.
He, too, had thought of the possibility of a conflict; but Ekichi had
discovered that Satsuma had also been expelled, and that Choshiu would
have to face the united power of Tokugawa. Loyalty to his clan, and the
responsibility for the safety of the kuge imposed self-restraint; but
they did not prevent him from being exasperated.
Past Fushimi[88] they marched, and on to Osaka where they remained
over night. The next morning they stopped at Hyogo; it was eight days
after they had left Kyoto when they were within their own province,
and shortly after Mori in his state dress received the highly honored
guests, and bade them make themselves at home.
Kano heard that Sawa had disappeared. That was well. Choshiu’s samurai
might not have liked to see the Tokugawa crest among them, and the
blood of such a poor worthless creature, could not further the cause.
But Choshiu thirsted for vengeance, and drilling went on from morning
till night. Nagato was an armed camp.
Thus passed the winter and spring of the year 1864. Kano heard that
the number of rônin multiplied at a frightful rate, and that many were
congregating in the suburbs of Kyoto. Several young samurai applied
for leave of absence, and, when they received a refusal, sent in their
resignations and disappeared.
The men were exasperated. On the 4th of August a courier from Kyoto
brought news which caused Kano to call an extra meeting of the Council.
When they had come together, Kano informed them that in the beginning
of July a body of rônin had petitioned Tenshi Sama to remove the decree
of arrest from Mori, and to recall the seven kuge and restore them to
honor; but the Council of the Gosho, now wholly under the influence of
Aidzu had not even vouchsafed a reply. Several hundred Choshiu men had
joined the rônin, and were preparing to march upon Aidzu.
This was serious news. What if Aidzu, in triumph at its success, should
secure a decree of _Choteki_[89] against Mori from the servile court.
That must be prevented at any cost! Kano and Hattori were commissioned
to proceed in all haste to Kyoto, and to restrain their clansmen. They
arrived at the capital on the 15th, and, appealing to the loyalty of
their men, succeeded in bringing them back under Choshiu’s banner.
Aidzu did not appreciate this self-control. On the 19th a Court
messenger delivered a notification at the yashiki that Mori was to be
punished for contumacy, and that Tokugawa Keiki[90] would command the
loyal army commissioned to enforce the Court’s order.
Kano and Hattori deliberated long and earnestly. There was not much
choice. It was either to submit to punishment, which would strike their
innocent lord the hardest of all, or trust to the spirit of unrest and
leave the decision to the sword. The latter alternative was chosen, and
Kano prepared a proclamation. He demonstrated the justice of his cause
and mentioned the crimes committed by the Tokugawa since the arrival
of Perry; he called upon the samurai of Japan to aid him in punishing
Aidzu, who was desecrating the private grounds of Tenshi Sama, and
implored the pardon of the Son of Heaven “for creating a disturbance
so near the wheels of the Chariot.”
The number of Choshiu men had increased to 1300. Kano had divided his
men in three divisions, and, at dawn of the 20th of August, marched
to the attack. His intention was to surround the flower garden of
the palace where Aidzu’s troops were encamped. They were opposed by
the samurai of Aidzu who had been reenforced by those of Echizen,
Kuwana, Hikone, and other Tokugawa clans. There were some cannon and
muskets; but most of the men were in armor, and trusted to the keen
native sword. With terrible odds against them, and no clan coming to
their assistance, Choshiu maintained the fight for two days. A native
historian states that 811 streets, 18 palaces, 44 large yashiki, 630
small yashiki, 112 Buddhist temples, and 27,000 houses were destroyed.
The same historian says: “The city, surrounded by a ninefold circle of
flowers, entirely disappeared in one morning in the smoke of the flames
of a war fire. The Blossom Capital became a scorched desert.” The end
was such as might have been expected. The Choshiu men were utterly
defeated. Thirty-seven men were taken prisoner and beheaded in prison.
Kano died in battle, and his body was probably cremated, for it was not
found.
When the fugitives began to arrive in Nagato, there was almost a panic
among the samurai. Ito and Inouye, now recognized as leaders, restored
quiet. It was not the defeat which had the effect of frightening men
for whom pain nor death has any terror: it was the term _choteki_,
which rendered their arm nerveless. It was only when Inouye proved
to them that it was Aidzu and not Tenshi Sama who had inflicted this
disgrace upon them that their courage returned together with their
self-control.
The clan would soon stand in need of it. By Kano’s order they had
continued to fire upon vessels entering the Strait of Shimonoseki.
They had Tenshi Sama’s mandate to do so, and it had not been revoked.
On the 5th of September a fleet of powerful vessels appeared, and
bombarded Choshiu’s forts. The men stood to their guns like heroes, but
again the odds were against them. The batteries were blown about their
ears, and when landing parties attacked the forts, individual daring
backed by swords, could not stand before the withering fire of trained
troops. The clan despatched Ito and Inouye to make peace, and the terms
hard as they were, were accepted.
It was two days after the bombardment, and a meeting of the Council
had been called in the great hall of the castle. Ito and Inouye, both
Councillors now, were present. After all were seated, Ito opened the
meeting.
“Gentlemen,” he said, “there is little use in mourning for losses,
since it will not repair them. But losses may be turned into an
advantage, if we profit by the lessons we may derive from them.
“The foreign fleet which attacked us had such heavy metal, that our
guns and gunners could not stand before it. It was a hail storm
of iron and we went down before the blast. But when I saw that the
barbarians were landing men, I thought that we were going to have our
turn. They were but a handful, those barbarians, and man for man, our
samurai would have made short work of them. But we could not get near
them. They moved as one man and in the thickest of the fight a word of
command was obeyed as if it was a machine instead of a body of men. It
was their discipline and drill that defeated us, gentlemen, and we must
acquire that same order and skill.
“We have met two foes, and twice we have been defeated. The barbarians
will not molest us so long as we do not molest them, and, for the
present at least, we shall leave that to other clans who may wish to
pay for some experience. We stand face to face with another foe, and we
are fighting for our very existence. Tokugawa would have us Choteki,
gentlemen, and we must turn the tables upon them. We can do it, never
fear! But first we must learn the drill and tactics from the barbarians
that we may give Aidzu a surprise as the foreigners surprised us.
For that purpose we must engage instructors and purchase arms. I now
propose that Mr. Inouye be appointed with full authority to act in this
matter, and that the treasurer of the clan furnish him with money.”
“But,” objected one of the older members, “the barbarian instructors
will have to live among us; will they be safe? We do not want any more
trouble with them now.”
“Your lordship speaks well. We do not want any more trouble with them
_now_. The next time we have trouble with them, it will not be we who
pay the bills. They will be as safe here as in their own homes. Our
samurai shall know why they are here. They shall know that we must
dissemble; pretend that we are pleased with our defeat, and that we
love the men who invaded our soil. But this dissembling will not last
forever, and a time shall come when this defeat is wiped out. May we
live to see it!”
The order was then passed and Ito resumed: “The next thing that _must_
be done is to come to an understanding with Satsuma and the other
Southern clans. Yes, I know, gentlemen, the dish is not palatable, but
there is nothing for it but to eat it.” A feud existed between Satsuma
and Choshiu and to the older Councillors this advice was extremely
repugnant. “We have no choice. Choshiu alone can not reduce the united
Tokugawa Clans, and Tokugawa must be deposed unless we wish to see the
barbarian our master. Satsuma, after all, is of our blood, and has the
same interests. Tosa too, must join. I propose then that I undertake
this disagreeable work; somebody must do it, and I do not suppose that
any one cares for the honor.”
There was a silence. At last one of the Councillors spoke: I suppose
that Mr. Ito is right. Let it be as he wishes. I agree with him that of
the two, Satsuma is preferable to the barbarians.
The order was entered upon the books and the council adjourned. The
two friends left together. Inouye said he would start the next day.
“Have you any objection if I take Ekichi with me?”
Ito looked up, smiled, and said: “None at all.”
XX
DRILLING
The severe defeats suffered by Choshiu had reduced the number of
samurai of the clan. After thinking deeply upon the matter, Ito
proposed to the Council a measure which met with the most strenuous
opposition, and, being earnestly supported by Inouye, was at last
adopted with many an ominous shake of the head. It was, namely, that
the ranks should be recruited from among the young and strong members
of the people. The older members of the council urged, not unnaturally,
that the samurai would never suffer such an infringement upon the
privileges of their rank. Both Ito and Inouye had more confidence
in the loyalty of the samurai, and they were right. The very best
of foreign rifles had been purchased by Inouye and arrived in due
time. Then the instructors came, and drilling went on from morning to
night. The young men of the people vied with the samurai in zeal and
enthusiasm, they were all equally and regularly paid and well treated.
After some time artillery began to arrive, and a corps of men was
detailed to learn gunnery. Among all the young men there was none more
zealous than Ekichi. After a year’s drill, when officers were appointed
he was made a lieutenant.
In the shadow side of the dual part in the Japanese character, there is
no passion so strong as that of revenge. Subterfuge, the most dastardly
treachery, are praiseworthy and commendable, if they serve to obtain
revenge for the killing of a near relation. The written constitution of
old Japan (Legacy of Iyeyasu), prescribed:
“In respect to revenging injury done to master or father, it is granted
by the wise and virtuous (sage)[91] that you and the injurer can not
live together under the canopy of heaven.
“A person harboring such vengeance shall notify the same in writing to
the Criminal Court; and although no check or hindrance may be offered
to his carrying out his desire within the period allowed for that
purpose, it is forbidden that the chastisement of an enemy be attended
with riot.
“Fellows who neglect to give notice of their intended revenge are like
wolves of pretext, and their punishment or pardon should depend upon
the circumstances of the case.”
Ekichi suspected Sawa. If he had been asked for the reason, he would
have been at a loss, except that he had seen him at Kyoto on the day
of the flight of the kugé. He had never liked the spy, and he had
worshiped his father. The lesson of self-control, thoroughly mastered
by him, enabled him to bend his mind upon his studies. But the moments
which he allowed himself for relaxation, were spent in brooding upon
revenge.
Inouye suspected it, and for that reason had taken him with him to
Yokohama. While there he had found time to go to Kanagawa where he
called upon the physician in his samurai dress. The family scarcely
recognized their former houseboy who, in gratitude for former kindness,
presented his late employer with a choice piece of lacquer. Inouye
had watched Ekichi keenly during this visit, and had noticed the
absolute self control with which he received the advances of the
barbarians. At dinner, he simply imitated Inouye but with such perfect
self-possession, that it seemed as if he had been using knife and fork
all his life, although it was the first time he saw them.
At Yokohama, too, his face expressed no emotion at what he saw; only
when in passing the hatoba, Inouye remarked that his father had
worked here, the boy prostrated himself and saluted. He was utterly
unconscious of the laughter of some rude barbarians. Inouye noticed,
however, that he asked for the names in English, after he had heard him
converse in that language.
When they returned to Nagato, he had asked to be enrolled in the army
and his request was granted. Inouye had offered to teach him English,
an offer which was gladly accepted, and he made such progress that he
was able to read understandingly and to keep up a fair conversation.
The Tokugawa in the meanwhile was boasting of how the Shogun would
annihilate Choshiu, and in 1865 Iyemochi himself took the field. The
foreigners at Yokohama were permitted to witness the march of the
redoubted troops. They came straggling by, as an eye-witness describes
in bands of three or four, a motley array, with very little stomach
for the business in hand. The same witness states that, upon arrival
at Odawara[92] the majority of the higher samurai applied for leave
of absence on account of sickness; whereupon they were told that they
could go, but that their revenues would be taken from them, whereupon
they recovered their health. They remained that year quartered at Kyoto
and Osaka, for the Shogun did not care to lead such an army against a
brave and desperate clan. He tried to induce other clans to join him,
but they refused flatly.
Stung by the ridicule heaped upon them by Japanese and foreigner alike,
the Tokugawa troops at last opened the campaign, in the summer of 1866.
Instead of attempting to overwhelm the clan by sheer force of numbers,
Iyemochi divided his army into three divisions, each of which was
separately routed by Choshiu. This restored the prestige of the clan,
while it ruined that of Tokugawa.
In every battle Ekichi had excelled for coolness and courage, and it
was predicted that he would rise as his father had done before him.
In the latter part of September the news was brought to Nagato that
Iyemochi, the Shogun was dead. Shortly later it also became known that
Tokugawa Keiki had succeeded, but by appointment from Tenshi Sama.
The death of Tenshi Sama Osahito,[93] better known by his posthumous
name of Komei[94] Tenno, and the succession of his son Mutsuhito, then
a boy of fifteen produced a great change. Ito and Inouye held frequent
and long conferences, and the former was often absent from the clan.
Their own experience within Choshiu’s narrow limits, had convinced
them that they were on the right track. The whole strength of
Choshiu’s clan had been called out, and had repeatedly defeated the
overwhelming forces of the Tokugawa; but it had been able to do so only
after acquiring the principles of foreign art of war. Ito disliked
and mistrusted the foreigners, whereas Inouye’s experience as well
as his strong power of discernment rather inclined him toward them.
Both, however, were agreed in their love of their country; and both
agreed that the Japanese must acquire every particle of knowledge
in the possession of the barbarians. More than that: their manners,
habits, and customs, must be studied and such as served in any way
to strengthen the national life, must be introduced and adapted. But
before anything could be done in that direction, the Tokugawa must
be laid low. Nothing could possibly be done so long as a clan so
degenerate was foremost in the country.