Real Last Samurai

[Clive Sinclaire]

Gentlemen

I have just completed an article for a magazine about the samurai of the Bakamatsu period and their swords. It may be found on http://www.to-ken.com under Articles and is entitled The Real Last Samurai. I must say that I very much enjoyed writing it and would welcome any criticisms, corrections or other comments you might care to make.

Regards

Clive Sinclaire

[Bugyotsuji]

A very good read. Thank you. One small change would be Sankin Kotai, (not Sakin).

 

Lots of good information in there. I have met the great grandson of Taki Zenzaburo. He travels around giving speeches and writing about the Kobe incident. I had mixed feelings at first as I am a member of the present day version of the Bizen Teppo-tai, and I had to listen to him explaining rather bitterly how his ancestor had been a victim of the times, and had chosen to be the fall-guy and willingly took the blame. His family were guaranteed food and support as they would lose their bread-winner. Where did my loyalties really lie? With the Bizen-han, or with the Westerners in their ships anchored off Kobe?

 

As to Katsu Kaishu, I have had a rather cynical view of him ever since reading Lieutenant Brooke's account of the sailing of the Kanrin Maru to the States. Far from the heroic captain as he is usually portrayed by proud Japanese people, it seems he spent the whole voyage below being sick, and refused to help or volunteer in any way even when things were dangerous for the entire ship. Brooke makes no secret of his contempt for the man. On the other hand, Nakahama (John) Manjiro was on board and proved to be a superb and useful seaman, apparently.

 

Lastly I have a rather retiring friend here who has at least one of Saigo Takamori's swords. He is from Kagoshima and has a magnificent collection of this, that and the other. I keep things deliberately vague as that is how he would like it! :lol:

[Eric H]

Clive, many thanks for this excellent article A small complement: "17 Mito Ronin ambushed Iie Naosuke, together with one Samurai from Satsuma Clan, Arimura Jisaemon. Arimura cut Iie Naosuke's neck, and then committed Seppuku".

Eric

[Marius]

Clive, many thanks for this excellent article A small complement: "17 Mito Ronin ambushed Iie Naosuke, together with one Samurai from Satsuma Clan, Arimura Jisaemon. Arimura cut Iie Naosuke's neck, and then committed Seppuku".

Eric

 

Forgive me, but isn't the correct writing of the name "Ii" ? Is "Iie" also a correct form?

[Clive Sinclaire]

Gentlmen

Thanks awfully for the valuable input, especially Piers. I know that there are many varied opinions regarding Saigo and also Katsu Kaishu, to some they are almost saints and to others they are not. Particularly Saigo Takamori seems to have become the Dai Saigo of legend since his death and the cold facts of his life are difficult to fully appreciate, I think. (I would recommend SAIGO TAKAMORI by Paul Akamatsu for a good investigation of Saigo the real man rather than the Dai Saigo of legend). As for Katsu Kaishu, he has my respect as a master swordsman but I think no politian, either then or now, can be whiter than white if he is to survive. As for the sea-sickness, he has my sympathy as a fellow sufferer! Thanks also for the literal corrections of Sankin and Ii but I hope it was enjoyed in spite of the shortcomings.

Clive Sinclaire

[John A Stuart]

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. And damned hard to write about cogently. Lots of conflicting facts to wade through, and the motives of the men involved subject to interpretation. A nice article about a period that volumes can't explain. John

[doug e lewis]

Thank you Clive! Very nice.

 

i love the individual details not found in the histories, etc., i've read on this period. Going to make some copies for a couple of compter/cyberspace challenged friends, if that is OK with you.

 

again ,

 

doug e

[Eric H]

A look back at those turbulent times

 

Katsura Kogoro, later Takayoshi Kido, Sakamoto Ryoma, Sa Yukihide and a wonderful Wakizashi

 

http://www.choshuya.co.jp/1/0803/member ... allery.htm

 

and a poem by Sakamoto Ryoma

 

Eric

[Clive Sinclaire]

Gentlemen again

The book I mentioned about Saigo Takamori is was written by Charles L Yates not Paul Akimitsu who wrote Meiji 1868.

Also, no problem reproducing it Doug, feel free.

Regards

Clive Sinclaire