Ep2 Meiji Restoration Events

The Right to Strike ep2_meiji_pulse.1

Whilst traveling in …, a … merchant was killed by the retinue of … for refusing to dismount as he passed. The Daimyō of … has asserted the legality of the killing under the right to strike any commoner who disrespects him.

The foreigners broke the ranks of the musketeer squad, and shouts came from all around. Noticing the armed men surrounding him, the foreigner in the lead lashed his reins to the side, sending his horse into a rapid turn that very nearly knocked one of the musketeers off his own mount. … drew his sword, and his companions in the inner ring joined him. … struck the first blow, opening a gash along the interloper's side. He shrieked, and lashed the reins once more. It was fruitless. The musketeer closest to him drew his own blade, and lashed out. An arc of red hung in the air like a cloud.

The Bombardment of … ep2_meiji_pulse.2

In retaliation for the … Domain's refusal to pay an indemnity for the death of …, … naval vessels have engaged in a multi-day artillery duel with the coastal defenses of ….

The bay hung hazy with cannon fire, and … was burning. Across the water, one of the foreign ships was firing rockets into the foundries in the North of the town. With each launch, a hellish red glow drowned out the feeble light of the setting sun. The last operational cannon at …'s battery roared—a long shot, in good conditions, and hopeless now. The ball impacted several lengths from the third vessel in the foreign column, sending a mighty gout of water into the air. … grabbed … sponge, and rushed to attend to the gun. Somewhere behind the rear wall, the men wounded by the last salvo were still screaming. Somehow, despite the ringing in … ears, … could still hear them.

The Shimonoseki War ep2_meiji_pulse.3

…, Daimyō of Chōshū Domain, has signaled … compliance with the Emperor's order to expel foreigners. … has ordered … navy to fire upon all foreign vessels passing through the Shimonoseki Strait, spurring exchanges of fire with a … warship.

Daylit thunder rolled over the gentle slope of Hinoyama, and Masatake's head turned to the sky. He was greeted by a puffy, white cloud. "Look!" cried Jiro. A hand entered his field of vision, pointing downwards. A ship at full steam was charging through the strait below, cannons blazing at something Masatake could not see. Splinters flew from her hull, and yet she continued. Above it all, another cloud was growing.

The Burning of the … Legation ep2_meiji_pulse.4

Sonnō Jōi samurai of the … Domain have staged an attack on the in-construction … legation building in …. What would have been the first Western-styled building in the city has been burned to the ground, with the perpetrators nowhere in sight.

Two men, hooded and masked, settled in atop the hill overlooking what would have been the legation. An orange glow still rose from its now-blackened shell. With all more accessible fuel extinguished, the flames struggled to sustain themselves on the dense inner beams. As the glow faded to nothing, the two men remained. One spoke, voice quiet, staring off at the pillar of smoke left behind. "Would it not be beautiful if its ashes were to fall on us like snow?"

A Bloody Revenge ep2_meiji_pulse.5

The Chief Minister of the Shogunate, …, has been assassinated at the gate of Edo Castle by rōnin of the … and … Domains. The manifesto left by the assassins expresses Sonnō Jōi principles, condemning the Chief Minister's concessions to foreigners.

Chuzaburo watched Gorokuro step in front of the procession, and one of the … guards move to intercept him. Gorokuro gave him no more time to react. He drew his sword, and lunged. A great arc of blood flew from the … man's bisected face, and his companions surged forwards to avenge him. Chuzaburo let his raincoat fall, and drew his pistol. He took aim at the exposed side of the palanquin, and pulled the trigger. The roar of a gunshot interrupted the sound of clashing blades and shouts, and then another. One of the guards wheeled to face him, and Jizaemon, the rōnin from …, swung his sword down towards his torso. Past the clashing duo, Chuzaburo could see a river of red trickling through the palanquin's doors, onto the snowy street. He drew his wakizashi, and ran towards it.

The Ikedaya Incident ep2_meiji_pulse.6

Guided by information gained by the torture of a militant of the …, the … have launched a raid against a gathering of alleged conspirators at …'s Ikedaya Inn. The raid has transformed into a fierce sword battle in and around the inn.

Otaka braced himself against the railing as the Shinsengumi burst through the door. He could see the bloodstains on the sleeves of their pale blue haori—black-on-white in the dim lamplight. He raised his sword into a guard position. Two of them detached from the rest, charging up the stairwell he guarded, two abreast. He struck out with his blade, felt it be parried, compensated. Sparks flew from the impact. The second man was striking out. He took a step back, twisted his wrist to- There was a flash of fire-lit steel, and then something cold in his chest.

The Forbidden Gate ep2_meiji_pulse.7

Soldiers of the …-aligned … Domain have attempted to storm the Imperial Palace in …, and restore the Emperor by force. They are opposed by soldiers of the … and Aizu domains.

The Hamaguri Gate was choked with gunsmoke. All around them, Kyōto was catching light. The Aizu soldiers were concentrated along the wall, sending out volleys of musket-fire that scattered off the road and the chassis of the … cannons. Every few seconds, one of the balls would strike flesh, spurring cries that briefly cut above the crackle of gunfire. Kōzō huddled against a wheel of a cannon, struggling to unjam his musket. A bare ken away, the leader of his squad lay face down, legless, armless. Somehow, he was still writhing.

The … Expedition ep2_meiji_pulse.8

As retaliation for the … assault on the Imperial Palace, the Shōgun has ordered a punitive expedition to expel the Sonnō Jōi faction from the Domain. Advisors sympathetic to the … have offered a plan to secure peace in return for the seppuku of the guilty parties.

…, Daimyō of …, stood on the castle's balcony, gazing into the distance. Far away, the sky was tainted by streams of smoke—the campfires of the approaching army. "The Shōgun demands the seppuku of the three senior retainers," said the retainer. "The beheading of the four staff officers. The exile of the five ministers." … looked to the campfires. There were hundreds, at least. The once-blue horizon had become something sick. At last, he spoke. "...… Domain will submit."

The Order to Expel Barbarians ep2_meiji_pulse.9

Angered by the treaties forced upon … by the Western powers, the Emperor has bypassed the Shōgun and issued an edict to expel foreigners from … soil. Militants of the … have rallied to the Emperor's cause.

The retainer stood abreast one of the cannons, looking out towards the strait. At this hour, the vessels steaming through were silhouetted by the setting sun. Off to the side, the lower samurai of Chōshū Domain busied themselves with ramrods and bags of black powder. As looked up at the shape of Hinoyama and the town of Shimonoseki below, passage from the Edict came to mind. "Even if the land were to be reduced to ashes," it had stated, "we shall not permit the opening of ports for trade." Was it justified? Would he permit for its gentle, green slope to be scorched black, for its fields of flowers to be burned, for his home to be leveled? Yes, he thought. Without hesitation.

The … Affair ep2_meiji_pulse.11

Whilst conducting business in …, a … merchant by the name of … has been murdered by the local lord …. The lord has claimed … justified under the law of … land, and refused to pay any sort of compensation for … crime.

Editorial Under the present circumstances, we repeat that … has no alternative but to make ready for a great war, or to bid farewell to Japan. To abandon the foothold she has obtained there will not be thought of, and so we may look out for a conflict between the two empires. Many … dislike this idea, yet the … … deems it not only inevitable, but justifiable, merely on the ground of the refusal of the Japanese to punish the assassins of …... (cont. pg.02)

Sonnō Jōi ep2_meiji.1

The end of Sakoku has stirred a sense of powerlessness against foreign encroachment, undermining the authority of the … clan. The enemies of the Shogunate have rallied around the slogan of Sonnō Jōi: "Revere the Emperor, expel the barbarians".

On the second floor of a Kyōto inn, far from any windows, a dozen black-clad rōnin huddled around a table. Outside, rain poured down with a fury that drowned out the sounds of the street. Angry whispers passed between them—complaints, then denunciations, then a sworn oath and an interloper's death warrant. Far away, in a house overlooking Iso, a man in a green kimono watched a pillar of smoke ascend skywards. The hills cast long shadows over the constructions on the seashore. As the sun approached the horizon, the glow of the furnaces below grew more and more pronounced. Beyond them, reflected on the water, he could see the lights of ships. One day, he hoped, his cannon would banish them beyond the horizon.

The Shape of the Shogunate ep2_meiji.2

The Shogunate reformers are split between two theories of governance. The theory of Kōbu Gattai seeks to renew the legitimacy of the … through fusion with the Imperial Court, whilst the theory of Public Deliberation seeks to establish a parliamentary system headed by the … clan.

The host placed a tray of higashi upon the table, and poured a bowl of thin tea for each of his guests. Three men sat around the table, the host and first guest with their hair bound in chonmage, and the second short-haired. Steam wafted from the bowls in front of them. The host directed his gaze to the short-haired man, and spoke. "I congratulate you upon your return, …-kun. I have found each of your letters more interesting than the last. Would you tell us more of your time with the barbarians?"

The Imperial Marriage ep2_meiji.3

The procession enveloped the entire Nakasendō. A train of thirty thousand laborers, retainers, and members of the Princess' household, guarded by a perimeter of soldiers of the Owari Domain, stretched from Iijima Town to Shiojiri Station. At the heart of the procession, the Princess rode atop a palanquin of gold and red silk. Alongside it rode samurai from a dozen domains—… and …, … and …, … and …. Within her palanquin, the Princess stared out of the thin gap between its curtains. Town after town passed by, shutters closed and silent. She would have the next thirty ri to ponder her fate.

The … War ep2_meiji.4

Alienated by the seizure of … lands and titles, … … and … loyal retainers have risen in revolt against the Imperial Court. … seeks to reverse the restoration of Imperial power, and restore the Bakufu.

"Your servant …, having earnestly considered the state of affairs since the ninth day of last month, finds that none of these events stem from the true intentions of the Imperial Court, but entirely from the conspiracies of the treacherous ministers of Lord …. This is known throughout the realm, particularly in Edo, Nagasaki, the provinces of Yashu and Sōshū, where disturbances have arisen. As these are deeds detested by both heaven and man, we beseech Your Majesty to issue a decree for the surrender of the aforementioned treacherous ministers. Should this request not be granted, we shall have no choice but to proceed with their execution."

Taisei Hōkan ep2_meiji.5

Facing increasing pressure from the opponents of the …, … has petitioned the Emperor to return … governing authority to the Imperial Court.

"Unless power is reunited within the Imperial Court, the very foundations of our nation cannot be sustained. Therefore, at this juncture, we must reform the old ways, and return the administration to the Imperial Court. After exhausting the public counsel of the realm, and seeking Your Majesty's final judgment, I sincerely believe that if all hearts are united in service to the nation, we can protect our imperial country together and stand as equals alongside the nations of the world." —Tokugawa Yoshinobu, 1867

The Decree of Restoration ep2_meiji.6

Opponents of the … clan within the Court have persuaded the Emperor to issue a decree formally restoring his own power. The decree abolishes the Shogunate, and establishes a government that excludes … from any official position.

"… has requested that the administrative authority which had long been commissioned be restored, and now wishes to resign from the office of Shōgun. His proposal has been accepted. The country is threatened by incomparable dangers, with which, as it is well known, the late Emperor had seriously occupied himself. Accordingly, it has been decided by His Majesty's wise deliberation that the foundation for restoring imperial rule and reviving national dignity be laid. Henceforth, the offices of Sessho, Kanpaku and Shōgun shall be abolished, and the three offices of Chief Councillor, Councillor of State, and Councillor of the Palace shall be established. Everything shall be decided through the reasonable deliberation of the people, without any distinction between civil and military officers, between nobles and common people."

The Taikunate ep2_meiji.7

With the Imperial Court lacking the practical expertise to govern, allies of the … clan within the Court have persuaded the Emperor to grant … the title of Taikun, placing … at the head of the Imperial Office.

"As the various Daimyō gradually assemble and gather, deliberation will take place. The spirit of the times is focused upon public deliberation—this phrase is widely discussed—and it has been unavoidable to go along with public opinion. Therefore, I earnestly request that, as far as possible, these discussions be brought to agreement, and that measures be taken so that the purpose of the assembly is properly established. Should discord arise in the course of deliberation, and conflict break out, even if it results in a victory for your house, it would be equivalent to brothers quarreling within the walls while foreign nations press upon us from outside." —Nishi Shūsuke, "Draft Agenda"

Court and Shogunate ep2_meiji.8

Through marriage into the Imperial Family and fulfillment of … vows to the Emperor, … has eased the tensions between Court and Shogunate. The Emperor may continue … secluded existence, assured that the Shōgun will ensure lasting peace.

Even if stormy winds Should rage through the country, I shall wait for them To return the sun in heaven To its pristine radiance. —Emperor Kōmei

First Among Equals ep2_meiji.9

Through confidence and deft maneuver, … has seen through both the restoration of the Emperor and the preservation of … clan. The … Taikuns will reign as first among the peerage of a modern Japan.

The Emperor no longer sat behind a screen. His ministers were arrayed along the table before him, with the Taikun to his left. Each wore a new court uniform, their sleeves and breasts decorated with intricate arrangements of gold leaf. Medals clicked and rustled as they adjusted themselves in the unfamiliar seats. The Taikun had moderated the discussion for the past hour, with the Emperor not speaking a single word. He had been content to listen in, directing his attention to each speaker in turn. On the far side of the room, a former disciple of sonnō jōi spoke of the necessity of a mission to America.

The … War ep2_meiji.41

The Imperial Sanction ep2_meiji.51

The Emperor has issued his response to …'s petition to return governing authority to the Imperial Court. The Shōgun's petition has been accepted, and the political supremacy of the Emperor restored.

"The Emperor of Japan announces to the sovereigns of all foreign countries and to their subjects that permission has been granted to the Shōgun … to return the governing power in accordance with his own request. We shall henceforth exercise supreme authority in all the internal and external affairs of the country. Consequently, the title of Emperor must be substituted for that of Taikun, in which the treaties have been made. Officers are being appointed by us to the conduct of foreign affairs. It is desirable that the representatives of the treaty powers recognize this announcement."

The Imperial Sanction ep2_meiji.52

The Emperor has issued his response to …'s petition to return governing authority to the Imperial Court. The response states that the Shōgun retains the confidence of the Court, and that governing authority may remain with the Shogunate.

… Castle echoed with the sound of boots. Messengers and retainers had been in and out all day, bearing increasingly detailed retellings of the last week's news. … had personally received them, remaining resolutely silent through each meeting. His brow had grown heavier and heavier as he heard of the developments—the Shōgun's triumphal procession, the Aizu left guarding the Imperial Palace. Outside the front palace, the sun had set. From his stage, … looked to the twenty assembled retainers. "Chōshū Domain shall not submit," … said. "Understand this well." He rose, and exited the room.

Meiji Debug Event ep2_meiji.1000

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