The Last Samurai Explains the Final Days of Ancient Japan

it seems to me as if I'm now existing in another world said Ido homi as he reflected on the Transformations Japan had gone through during his lifetime the mag era had catapulted Japan from a secluded feudal society into the modern world and he lived through it all he spoke of a time when the country was closed off its leaders fiercely committed to preserving the old ways as a young student in the Buu era Ido sailed abroad an act that was still forbidden by the tokogawa regime we had no better ships and a few sailing boats

for going abroad he recalled during this time the idea of expelling foreigners had reached its peak there were two parties of politicians at that time he explained one group wanted to keep the country isolated while the other believed it was necessary to open Japan to foreign trade the cry the first group was clear expel The Barbarians their plan was to defend Japan with guns made from temple bells few dared speak in favor of modernization because it was dangerous anyone advocating for opening Japan's doors risked being killed for their opinions for Ido traveling abroad was not

only dangerous but illegal disguise as a merchant he and His companion set off on their Journey to the West we put up at a hotel in Yokohama where we often went shopping into the foreign concession he said foreigners had settled in Yokohama but it was far from thriving the settlement was not so prosperous as it is now he noted only a few foreign houses stood scattered across the area adapting to the foreign ways was awkward we had to clothe ourselves elv in European style yet we could not get any new suits of clothes readymade the

group was forced to buy secondhand clothes ill-fitting boots and struggle with their appearance we could not find any better boots than those of such a size that we could put both of our feet in at once this Clash of cultures extended to their hair as well although our physicians of the time had their hair cut off I may safely say that we set the first example to the nation for dressing the hair in European style their presence a blend of old and new caused confusion among both Europeans and Japanese they appeared strange wearing foreign clothes

but still feeling tied to their Traditions yet despite the odd looks and discomfort this journey was a pivotal moment in understanding that Japan could no longer cling to isolation Ido and his companions saw firsthand that Japan would have to modernize or be left behind arriving in London deeply affected Ido and his companions the vastness of the city and its unfamiliar energy struck them immediately medely I was very glad to follow him to a place called the Tower of London and put up at a hotel in American Square where Sean used to Resort EO recall being

in the heart of England a nation that was both powerful and highly developed made him realize how much Japan had to learn if it wanted to compete on the global stage one of the most eye-opening experiences for EO was visiting English military and Naval facilities touring to shipyards and witnessing the construction of massive vessels left a strong impression on him he understood that England's strength came from its ability to organize resources effectively and modernize its military the greatness of England was thus vividly in my mind he said this understanding weighed heavily on him as he

compared Japan's outdated weapons and ships to the might of the British Fleet the realization that Japan was vulnerable troubled Ido he had read reports about the British Parliament debating whether to send an expedition to Japan in retaliation for an attack on a foreign ship the idea of England's powerful navy descending on his homeland filled him with concern Ido knew that if such a conflict came to pass Japan would be completely outmatched the chashu clan would lose the day should such a war begin and consequently the country would be ruined he concluded London's advances in industry

and warfare left Ido with no doubt that Japan had to change the world was moving quickly and Japan's future depended on whether it could adapt to these modern realities Ido and his companions made the difficult decision to return home early driven by the belief that Japan could not continue with its isolationist policies there experiences in London solidified their resolve to push for change even if it meant going against deeply ingrained Traditions when Ido and his companions returned to Japan they found a nation on the edge of collapse the tension between those who sought to preserve

isolation and those pushing for modernization had reached its peak the purpose of expelling foreigners reached its focus EO recalled people were preparing for conflict believing that violence was the only way to protect Japan's side sovereignty men and women alike were armed ready to defend their way of life the streets were filled with people holding long lances and dressed in a manner that allow them to move freely ready for battle at any moment Ido and his companions still wearing their European clothing and sporting their foreign hairstyles stood out upon their return We wore the summer clothes

which we bought at Yokohama but we had neither hakama trousers used for ceremonial occasions nor two swords and our hair was still dressed in foreign style he said it wasn't just their had caused discomfort their ideas shaped by their time abroad were also met with suspicion the public saw them as potential traitors who had been corrupted by foreign influence however Ido had friends in high places one of them the governor Matari helped him and his companions regain their Samurai attire and transform back into the traditional image of what Japanese leaders expected they Dawn hakama howy

and two swords re-entering Society with a more familiar appearance but beneath this traditional look they carry new ideas and a strong belief that Japan had to adapt if it was to survive soon after the return Ido and his group made their way to yamakuchi to meet with the Dao they were determined to convince him that Japan could not win a war with the West using outdated weapons and strategies in the presence of the Dow ministers we spoke for nearly 4 hours about the greatness of European civilization he recalled they had brought maps and shared their

experiences from Europe explaining how Western Nations operated the size of their warships and how how hopeless it would be to resist them militarily the 18 warships which anchored the Yokohama Harbor had the intention of bombarding Japan in a few days EO warned illustrating the gravity of the situation the argument centered around one crucial Point Japan had to centralize power under the emperor and move away from the fragmented feudal system that left the country vulnerable if Japan didn't unite under one strong government they believe the nation would be destroyed by Foreign Forces eo's Group pushed for

the restoration of Imperial power seeing it as the only way to navigate the challenges posed by Foreign intervention eo's horny was clear but the stakes were incredibly High those who still believed in isolation viewed these ideas with deep suspicion and this led to Growing hostility despite the long and intense discussions the leadership was torn and the uncertainty of how to proceed left the country in turmoil after presenting their case to the damoo and his ministers Ido and his companions found themselves in a perilous situation their call for modernization and the restoration of Imperial power made

them enemies of those who were still committed to keeping Japan isolated Ido recalled how some members of the leadership blamed him and his group for the sudden shift in policy discussions the guards suspected that Ido and his friends had brought foreign influence into the inner workings of the clan and they decided to act the Dallas guards had a suspicion that enu and I were responsible for the change of policy on the part of the clan EO remembered this suspicion led to a plot to assassinate them face with the threat of death his friend Eno proposed

that they take matters into their own hands it would be better for us to end our own lives rather than die at the hands of an assassin Eno argued to die by one's own hand was considered honorable a way to maintain dignity in the face of defeat or danger but Ido urged patience under the existing circumstances we shall surely die so it will be better for us to await the Assassins if they will come tonight and abide by the result he responded the situation was tense and Ido knew that their fate was uncertain yet he

preferred to face whatever came rather than take his own life prematurely fortunately before any violence could occur the clan leadership intervened the assassination plot was called off and Ido and his companions were spared despite surviving this immediate threat the underlying tension in Japan continued it was clear that the country was divided some were still Clinging On to the old ways others recognized there was a need for change the Tokugawa gonut had been ruling for centuries but it was beginning to lose its grip on power Ido knew that Japan couldn't hold on to its feudal structure

and isolationist policies for much longer the general opinion of the people of Japan could not be reached he said reflecting on the fractured state of the country soon the Tokugawa shokut would face its own downfall the leadership had been weakened by 300 years of internal peace and it wasn't able to handle the pressures from foreign powers the Magi restoration would ensue and the Shogun nut would be no no more eel's efforts to restore Imperial power were finally beginning to take hold but the process was far from smooth assassination threats political debates and the unrest of

the people were all part of the turbulent path Japan would take as it moved from its feudal past into a modern future the events that followed marked the final days of the tokogawa shogunate and the old feudal system the toaga regime had ruled Japan for over 250 years Main maintaining peace through strict control and isolation but by the mid 19th century this system was no longer capable of handling the pressures from both within Japan and abroad as Ido noted the Tokugawa Regency was a result of 300 years of Tranquility in a dream of Eternal peace

the once powerful Samurai class had lost much of its Vigor the Shogun once the most powerful man in Japan found himself increasingly outmatched by foreign powers and internal descent faced with these overwhelming challenges the Shogun was left with no choice but to relinquish power at last a Shogun was obliged to go up to Kyoto and hand over all power to the emperor Ido said this marked the beginning of the Magi restoration Imperial power was restored and Japan officially opened its doors to the world the old Samurai system which had defined Japanese Society for centuries was

dismantled Ido and others like him played a crucial role in shaping this new era advocating for modernization and reform