Sakamoto RyÅma
Sakamoto RyÅma 傿œ¬é¾é¦¬ | |
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Born |
January 3, 1836 KÅchi, Tosa Domain (present day KÅchi Prefecture) |
Died |
December 10, 1867 31) Kyoto (present day Kyoto Prefecture) | (aged
Cause of death | Assassination |
Other names | Imina  Naokage, Naonari |
Occupation | Samurai, politician |
Spouse(s) | Narasaki RyÅ |
Parent(s) | Hachihei (Naotari), Sachi |
Sakamoto RyÅma (傿œ¬ é¾é¦¬, January 3, 1836 – December 10, 1867) was a Japanese prominent figure in the movement to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate during the Bakumatsu period in Japan. One of his most noted accomplishments during this period was the negotiation of peace between ChÅshÅ« (present day Yamaguchi Prefecture) and Satsuma (present day Kagoshima Prefecture), two powerful provinces that had long been hostile to each other. He then united them against the Bakufu, the government that supported the Tokugawa shogun. RyÅma frequently used the alias Saitani UmetarÅ (æ‰è°·æ¢…太郎) during this period, as he was often hunted by Bakufu supporters, such as members of the Shinsengumi. He was ultimately attacked and murdered, along with his companion Nakaoka ShintarÅ, at an inn in Kyoto. Although many suspects have been named the identities of the assassins have never been confirmed.
Early life
RyÅma was born in KÅchi, of Tosa han (present day KÅchi Prefecture), on the island of Shikoku. By the Japanese calendar, he was born on the 15th day of the 11th month, of the sixth year of TenpÅ. Previous generations of his family had acquired enough wealth as sake brewers to purchase the rank of merchant samurai, or GÅshi, which was the lowest rank in the samurai hierarchy. Unlike other domains, Tosa had a strictly-enforced separation between joshi (high-ranked samurai) and kashi (low-ranked samurai). Joshi and kashi were treated unequally and residential areas were segregated; even in Sakamoto RyÅma's generation (the third in the Sakamoto family), his family's samurai rank remained kashi. At the age of twelve, RyÅma was enrolled in a private school, but this was a brief episode in his life, as he showed little scholarly inclination.
His older sister subsequently enrolled him in fencing classes of the Oguri-ryÅ« when he was 14, after he was bullied at school. By the time he reached adulthood he was by all accounts a master swordsman. In 1853 he was allowed by his clan to travel to Edo to train and polish his skills as a swordsman. There he enrolled as a student at the famous Hokushin IttÅ-ryÅ« HyÅhÅ Chiba-DÅjÅ, which was led by its first Headmaster Chiba Sadakichi Masamichi at that time. He received the scroll from the school that declared his mastery.[1] He became a shihan at the Chiba-DÅjÅ and taught Kenjutsu to the students together with Chiba JÅ«tarÅ Kazutane, in whom he found a close friend. That year, Commodore Matthew C. Perry of the United States arrived with a fleet of ships to force Japan out of its centuries-old national isolation policy.
Politics
When RyÅma completed his studies in 1858, he returned to Tosa. In 1862, his friend, Takechi Hanpeita (or Takechi Zuizan), organized the Tosa Loyalist Party "Kinnoto". Their political slogan was, "Revere the Emperor, Expel the Foreigners". It consisted of about 200 samurai, mostly from the lower rank, who insisted on the reform of the Tosa government. Since the Tosa lord refused to recognize the group, they plotted to assassinate Yoshida Toyo (who was later assassinated, but after RyÅma had left Tosa). RyÅma participated in the plot but did not advocate it; Takechi demanded a revolution for only the Tosa clan, and RyÅma thought they should do something for all of Japan. He decided to leave Tosa and separate from Takechi. In those days, no one was permitted to leave their clan without permission, on penalty of death. One of RyÅma's sisters committed suicide because he left without permission. Sakamoto would later use the alias "Saitani UmetarÅ" (æ‰è°· 梅太郎) as he worked against the shogun.[2]
Bakumatsu period
While a ronin, RyÅma decided to assassinate Katsu KaishÅ«, a high-ranking official in the Tokugawa shogunate and a supporter of both modernization and westernization. However, Katsu KaishÅ« persuaded RyÅma of the necessity of a long-term plan to increase Japan's military strength. Instead of killing Katsu KaishÅ«, RyÅma started working as his assistant and protégé.
In 1864, as the Tokugawa shogunate began taking a hard line, RyÅma fled to Kagoshima in Satsuma Domain, which was developing as a major centre for the anti-Tokugawa movement. RyÅma negotiated the secret alliance between ChÅshÅ« and Satsuma provinces. Satsuma and ChÅshÅ« historically had been irreconcilable enemies, and RyÅma's position as a "neutral outsider" was critical in bridging the gap in trust.
RyÅma is often regarded as the "father of the Imperial Japanese Navy", as he worked under Katsu KaishÅ«'s direction toward creating a modern naval force (with the aid of western powers) to enable Satsuma and ChÅshÅ« to hold their own against the naval forces of the Tokugawa shogunate. RyÅma founded the private navy and trading company Kameyama ShachÅ« in Nagasaki City with the help of Satsuma. Later Kameyama ShachÅ« became Kaientai or Ocean Support Fleet.
ChÅshÅ«'s subsequent victory over the Tokugawa army in 1866 and the impending collapse of the Tokugawa shogunate made RyÅma a valuable commodity to his former masters in Tosa. RyÅma was recalled to KÅchi with honours. The Tosa domain was anxious to obtain a negotiated settlement between the Shogun and the Emperor, which would prevent the powerful SatchÅ Alliance from overthrowing the Tokugawa by force and thus emerging as a new dominant force in ruling Japan. RyÅma again played a crucial role in the subsequent negotiations that led to the voluntary resignation of the Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu in 1867, thus bringing about the Meiji Restoration.
RyÅma was an admirer of democratic principles. RyÅma began studying democratic governance, particularly the United States Congress and British Parliament as a model for the governance of Japan after the Restoration. RyÅma argued that after centuries of having little political power, the Imperial Court lacked the resources and wherewithal to run the country. RyÅma wrote the "Eight Proposals While Shipboard" (『船ä¸å…«ç–ã€) while discussing the future model of Japanese government with GotÅ ShÅjirÅ on board a Tosa ship outside Nagasaki in 1867. RyÅma outlined the need for a democratically elected bicameral legislature, the writing of a Constitution, the formation of a national army and navy, and the regulation of gold and silver exchange rates. RyÅma's proposals are thought to form the basis for the subsequent parliamentary system implemented after his death.
Death
RyÅma was assassinated at the age of 31 at the ÅŒmiya (近江屋) inn in Kyoto, not long before the Meiji Restoration took place. On the night of December 10, 1867, assassins gathered at the door of the inn and one approached and knocked, acting as an ordinary caller. The door was answered by RyÅma's bodyguard and manservant, a former sumo wrestler who told the stranger he would see if RyÅma was accepting callers at that hour of the evening. When the bodyguard turned his back, the visitor at the door drew his sword and slashed his back, which became a fatal wound. The team of assassins rushed over and passed the dying sumo wrestler and up the stairs to the guests' rooms. RyÅma and Nakaoka ShintarÅ were resting in one room talking. Hearing the scuffle on the first floor, RyÅma opened the door to yell at his bodyguard, thinking he was wrestling with a friend. The assassins charged the room, some tearing through the paper doors (shÅji), and confused melée ensued as lamps were knocked over and the room went dark. By the end of the fight, both RyÅma and Shintaro lay badly wounded, and the assassins fled. RyÅma died that night, regretting with his last words that his assassins caught him unprepared. Shintaro died two days later.
The night of the assassination was eventually called the Omiya Incident. According to the traditional lunar calendar, RyÅma was born on the 15th day of the 11th month, and killed on his birthday in 1867. Initial reports accused members of the Shinsengumi for RyÅma's and ShintarÅ's deaths, and Shinsengumi leader KondÅ Isami was later executed on this charge. However, members of another pro-Shogun group, the Mimawarigumi, confessed to the murder in 1870. Although Mimawarigumi members Sasaki TadasaburÅ (ä½ã€…木 åªä¸‰éƒŽ) and Imai Nobuo carry the blame, the true assassin has never been proven.[3]
Legacy

RyÅma was a visionary who dreamt of an independent Japan without feudal trappings. He read about and was inspired by the example of the United States where "all men are created equal". He realized that to compete with an industrially and technologically advanced outside world, the Japanese people needed to modernize. He has also been seen as an intriguing mix of the traditional and modern, symbolized by his preference for samurai dress while favoring western footwear.
RyÅma has been heavily featured and romanticized in popular culture.
Honors in modern times
On 15 November 2003, the KÅchi Airport was renamed the KÅchi RyÅma Airport in his honor.
There is a Sakamoto RyÅma Memorial Museum (傿œ¬é¾é¦¬è¨˜å¿µé¤¨) south of KÅchi, with a large bronze statue of Ryoma overlooking the sea. The city of KÅchi has a number of RyÅma-themed attractions and locations, including the Sakamoto RyÅma Birthplace Memorial, and the Sakamoto RyÅma Hometown Museum, dedicated to showing what downtown KÅchi was like during RyÅma's childhood, including relevant aspects that may have influenced his views. On 15 November 2009, the HokkaidÅ Sakamoto RyÅma Memorial Museum was built in Hakodate, Hokkaido.
Asteroid 2835 Ryoma is named after him. Asteroid 5823 Oryo is named after his wife.
Family
Parents
- Father Yahei (Imina Naotari)
- Mother Sachi
Stepmother
- Iyo
Brother
- Gonbei (the elder)
Sisters
- Chizu (the eldest)
- Ei (the second)
- Tome (the third)
Wife
- Narasaki RyÅ (commonly called OryÅ)
Child
- TarÅ (adopted child, Chizu's child)
In popular culture
An April 2010 Japan Times article wrote "RyÅma has inspired at least seven television drama series, six novels, seven manga and five films."[4] His appeal stems from being "the kind of person onto whom anyone can project themselves", as actor Masaharu Fukuyama described his role playing him in the NHK drama RyÅmaden.[5]
Sakamoto is a recurring character in the NHK Taiga Drama: Shinsengumi!. He is portrayed as a friend of KondÅ Isami since their younger days. In the drama he is assassinated by Sasaki TadasaburÅ and the Mimawarigumi.
Sakamoto appears in the historical manga Shura no Toki, which was later adapted into the anime, Mutsuen Meiryū Gaiden: Shura no Toki. In addition, he also makes appearances, with varying levels of historical accuracy, in numerous other manga, anime, and video games.
Sakamoto appears in Kamen Rider Ghost as the Ryoma Ghost Eyecon, one of the 15 Heroes' Ghost Eyecons that contain the souls of important historic figures. It first appears as one of the five Ghost Eyecons in the possession of Chikara Saionji. After Takeru Tenkuji uses the 15 Heroes' Ghost Eyecons to restore Kanon Fukami, the Ryoma Ghost Eyecon is one of the two Ghost Eyecons that go missing. The Ryoma Ghost Eyecon possesses Nagamasa Tamura and tells Takeru that he'll join him if Takeru can form a 'SatchÅ Alliance' between Nagamasa and his father, Sachinoshin. Takeru succeeds and the Ryoma Ghost Eyecon exits Nagamasa's body and joins Takeru. Takeru/Ghost transforms into his dragon-like/samurai Ryoma Damashii form and defeats the Planet Ganma.
Sakamoto was the inspiration for Sakamoto Tatsuma, the leader of the Kaientai trading fleet in the anime Gintama.
In RyÅ« Ga Gotoku Ishin!, the second samurai-themed spinoff to the Yakuza series, Sakamoto RyÅma is the main protagonist played by Takaya Kuroda.
Gallery
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Sakamoto RyÅma in 1867
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Narasaki RyÅ (OryÅ), born in Kyoto, RyÅma's wife
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Statue of RyÅma in Nagasaki
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Maruyama Park in Kyoto, Statue of RyÅma and ShintarÅ
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Tomb of Sakamoto RyÅma, in RyÅzen Gokoku Jinja (京都霊山è·å›½ç¥žç¤¾), Kyoto.
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Tomb of Sakamoto RyÅma (detail).
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Flag of Kaientai
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Sakamoto family crest, KikyÅmon (Chinese bellflower)
See also
- GotÅ ShÅjirÅ
- Sasaki Takayuki
- The Top 100 Historical Persons in Japan
- Ryoma Ansatsu: 1974 film depicting Ryoma's last three days.
Notes
- ↑ Kyodo, Staff Report, "Sakamoto swordsmanship scroll declared authentic", The Japan Times, Nov 9, 2015
- ↑ Hongo, Jun, "Sakamoto, the man and the myth", The Japan Times, April 27, 2010, p. 3.
- ↑ Gombrich, Marius, "Crime scene investigation: Edo: Samurai Sakamoto Ryoma's murder scene makes a grisly but fascinating show", The Japan Times, May 7, 2010, p. 15.
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0032310/
- ↑ Corkill, Edan (January 3, 2010). "Legendary, dirty samurai gets makeover". The Japan Times. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
References
- Beasley, William G. (1972). The Meiji Restoration. Stanford: Stanford University Press. ISBN 0804708150, ISBN 9780804708159. OCLC 579232.
- Jansen, Marius B., and Gilbert Rozman, eds. (1986). Japan in Transition: from Tokugawa to Meiji. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0691054592, ISBN 9780691054599. OCLC 12311985.
- Jansen, Marius B. (1961). Sakamoto Ryoma and the Meiji Restoration. Princeton: Princeton University Press. OCLC 413111.
External links
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Japanese Wikisource has original text related to this article: |
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Japanese Wikisource has original text related to this article: |
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Japanese Wikisource has original text related to this article: |
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Japanese Wikisource has original text related to this article: |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: |
- The Sakamoto RyÅma Memorial Museum in Kochi (English)
- HokkaidÅ Sakamoto RyÅma Memorial Museum (Japanese)
- Nagasaki Kameyamashachū Memorial Museum (Japanese)
- KyÅto National Museum 2005 - Sakamoto RyÅma exhibitions (English)
- 2010 NHK Taiga drama exhibitions "RyÅmaden" (Japanese)
- Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture "RyÅmaden Kan 2010" (Japanese)
- National Diet Library electronic library "Kanketsu senri no koma" (Japanese)
- National Diet Library biography & photo (English)
- National Diet Library Shin seifu koryÅ hassaku (English)
- Japan Mint: Sakamoto RyÅma 2007 Proof Coin Set (Japanese)
- Shotentai.com -About Sakamoto Ryoma (Japanese)
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