From Tozama to Roju: The Enlightened Lord of the North, Matsumae Takahiro

In this session of the "Sangokushi no Kai," we will focus on a daimyo whom I, as a resident of Hokkaido, personally wish were more widely known. That person is
Matsumae Takahiro (1829–1866), the 12th lord of the Matsumae Domain, which was based at the southernmost tip of Hokkaido.

Perhaps because I chose to feature a figure related to my local area, it ended up being longer than I expected (laughs). My apologies.

Living in the harsh era of the Bakumatsu, he not only devoted himself to the reform of the Matsumae Domain but also became involved in shogunal politics, being exceptionally promoted from a tozama daimyo to a Roju (Senior Councilor). What kind of life did he lead?

1. The circumstances of Takahiro becoming lord and the internal and external troubles of the Matsumae Domain

He was born in 1829 as the fifth son of Matsumae Akihiro, the 9th lord of the Matsumae Domain. However, as can be seen from his lineage, Takahiro was not originally expected to become the lord.

He studied diligently while receiving living expenses from the domain at the Matsumae residence in Edo. During this time as a "heya-zumai" (a member of the family living in the residence), he acquired a wide range of knowledge, including poetry, military science, Western history, and chemistry. The steady efforts Takahiro made here became the foundation for his own success and would later support the Matsumae Domain.

Now, the Tenpo era (1830–1843), when Takahiro spent his youth, was truly a time of trial for the Matsumae Domain.

During this period, foreign ships were beginning to appear in Japanese waters nationwide, but the Matsumae Domain, being the northernmost daimyo in Japan, faced Russia to the north, and foreign ships whaling in the North Pacific frequently appeared from the east of Hokkaido, forcing the small domain (rated at 10,000 koku) to stand on the front lines of maritime defense whether they liked it or not.

Furthermore, the domain was plagued by misfortune, as the eldest son of the 9th lord Akihiro, Chikahiro, and Chikahiro's eldest son, Yoshihiro, who became the 10th lord, both died young, leaving the Matsumae domain government unstable.

After that, Yoshihiro's younger brother, Masahiro, became the 11th lord. He seems to have been a lord with excellent political skills; he established a domain school (Kitenkan) and a library called "Mankanro" to raise the academic standards of the retainers, and sent his vassals to Edo, Nagasaki, and Osaka to study and incorporate the latest knowledge into the domain's administration.

Under Masahiro's leadership, the senior retainers who had monopolized politics until the previous generation were removed, and just as it seemed the Matsumae domain government was getting on track, Masahiro became unable to handle administrative duties due to illness (believed to be caused by mental fatigue) in 1849 and retired. He passed away four years later at the young age of 29.

Due to the misfortunes mentioned above, the position of lord fell to Takahiro, who had been living as a heya-zumai in Edo, and that is how it happened.

2. Matsumae domain government led by Takahiro: Emphasis on maritime defense and control of retainers

In June 1849, Takahiro became the 12th lord. When he arrived in Matsumae, he promoted people with academic talent to his inner circle, and conversely, even if someone had high family status, he would lower their status depending on their actions, implementing personnel policies that were not necessarily bound by hereditary rank. Takahiro seems to have had retainers with excellent academic skills give lectures, which he would then listen to himself, showing his emphasis on scholarship.

The first major task after Takahiro became lord was the renovation (officially "construction") of Matsumae Castle.

In fact, until then, the Matsumae family was what was known as a "Jinya daimyo," and they were not a daimyo family with the status to possess a castle (even among daimyo, about half were Jinya daimyo and did not have castles). Therefore, what was in Matsumae was not officially "Matsumae Castle" but a "residence" called "Fukuyama-kan." Although, it seems the people of Matsumae called it "Matsumae Castle."

However, in this era when many foreign ships were appearing in the waters around Hokkaido, the Shogunate judged that the defense of Matsumae had to be strengthened. Immediately after Takahiro became lord in July 1849, the Shogunate ordered the Matsumae Domain to be promoted to a "castle-holding daimyo" and to renovate the existing Fukuyama-kan to build a castle.

Takahiro called the then-nationally famous military scholars from the Takasaki Domain, Ichikawa Ichigaku and his son Juro, to be in charge of the castle's layout (planning the overall image of the castle), and mobilized influential retainers to complete the new Matsumae Castle in 1854, taking five years.

This new castle had a double-layered stone wall foundation for the keep to make it sturdy, and seven new gun batteries were installed, showing that the construction was carried out in line with the Shogunate's order to "take charge of northern maritime defense."

The Matsumae Castle that remains today naturally underwent this Bakumatsu renovation. If you are interested, please go visit it (I have been there several times, and I highly recommend the cherry blossom season).

Perhaps one reason such projects were possible was that the Shogunate recognized the spirit of the Matsumae domain, where Takahiro, who was well-versed in Western scholarship, had become the lord and was encouraging his retainers to absorb the latest academic knowledge.

Furthermore, during the same period, there was a major event where Perry arrived at Hakodate, the planned port for opening. This occurred in April of the first year of Ansei (1854).

The person in charge of negotiations with Perry was Matsumae Kageyu who had just been promoted to the rank of Karo (senior councilor) the previous year. Although there were four incumbent senior councilors, they were all elderly, so Takahiro likely placed his hopes on the young Kageyu (perhaps it was judged that Kageyu had a better understanding of foreign affairs than the elderly councilors).

This negotiation by Matsumae Kageyu is commonly referred to as the Konnyaku Mondo (Devil's Tongue Dialogue) because he skillfully dodged Perry's demands. Perry had insisted on negotiating directly with Takahiro and demanded to be allowed to go to Matsumae, but Kageyu managed to deflect these requests.

Perry seemed irritated by Kageyu's attitude, but he was impressed by Kageyu's upright conduct. As a result, because the Matsumae domain did not yield to Perry's pressure, they were able to receive a commendation from Shogun Tokugawa Iesada.

Thus, the Matsumae domain, led by Takahiro, strengthened the authority of the lord, which had been unstable due to a series of premature deaths, and effectively led its retainers. A group photograph of the retainers taken during Takahiro's era remains, which shows that Takahiro was indeed leading his retainers well, and it also reveals his enlightened attitude in actively trying to utilize the latest technology of the camera.

In the Matsumae domain, where there had been frequent disorder in domain administration since the early Edo period, such as infighting among senior councilors, the presence of a lord who could effectively lead his retainers can be said to have been a great benefit to the domain.

3. The Path to Shogunate Administration Opens: Advocacy of Port Opening and Rescue of a British Ship

Now, a turning point arrived for Takahiro and the Matsumae domain.

In February of the third year of Bunkyu (1863), observing the growing momentum of the anti-foreign (Joi) faction, the Shogunate asked various daimyo for their opinions on how to respond to the implementation of the expulsion of foreigners.

However, at a time when the number of samurai advocating for radical anti-foreign views was increasing nationwide, the daimyo did not dare to express their opinions, perhaps fearing a backlash from their retainers. Takahiro, however, answered the Shogunate's inquiry clearly.

At this stage, Japan's military power is still inferior to that of the West, and it is extremely dangerous to carry out the expulsion of foreigners with immature weapons and military strength. If we do that, we will only give foreign countries a chance to retaliate, and Japan will likely be attacked by foreign fleets and follow in the footsteps of the Qing Dynasty (referring to the Opium Wars and the Arrow War). To prevent that, we must first open the ports, actively incorporate Western learning and technology to prepare our military, and only then acquire the real ability for Japan to fight on equal terms with the West. The expulsion of foreigners should be carried out after that.

Such an answer was possible only because Takahiro had long studied Western learning and military affairs. Incidentally, around the time of the Matsumae Castle renovations, Takahiro established a unit called the Sokuo Butai (Rapid Response Force) within the domain to promote the strengthening of the domain's military, and set up a facility called the Ienkan in the castle town of Matsumae to conduct Western-style military training. It is clear that Takahiro was a man who truly practiced what he preached.

In this era overflowing with radical anti-foreign theories, the Shogunate officials were impressed by Takahiro's response, and in April of the same year, Takahiro was appointed as a Jisha-bugyo (Commissioner of Temples and Shrines) by the order of Shogun Iemochi. Finally, Takahiro had broken out of his shell as a local daimyo, and the path to participating in the Shogunate's administration had opened.

The Jisha-bugyo was a key position usually appointed to Fudai daimyo, and it was located on the career path to becoming a Roju (Senior Councilor). Therefore, a Tozama daimyo like Takahiro, and even though his rank had been raised, he was still a 30,000-koku Tozama daimyo. A person of such status would not normally become a Jisha-bugyo, but as the Shogunate dealt with internal troubles and external threats, they were no longer bound by precedents or status, and simply wanted capable talent.

However, due to the backlash from anti-foreign public opinion and the fact that a large amount of money was needed to perform the official duties of the Jisha-bugyo, which led him to ask for donations from merchants in the Matsumae castle town, opinions emerged even from Takahiro's close aides that he should quit, and eventually, Takahiro resigned from the position of Jisha-bugyo after about four months.

One might think this was the end of Takahiro's career advancement, but from here he rose even further.
The trigger was an incident in November of the third year of Bunkyu (1863), where a British merchant ship was shipwrecked in Osawa Village, about 4 kilometers east of the Matsumae castle town.

At this time, the Matsumae domain dispatched villagers and the Jisha-machi bugyo and town inspectors, who were in charge of the administration of the castle town, to the scene to rescue the crew, and also treated the British and French consuls who came from Hakodate with a generous attitude.

The records of the British consul stationed in Hakodate state the following:

("Perhaps influenced by the rise of the anti-foreign movement,) the officials of the Shogunate's Hakodate Magistrate were incompetent and did nothing but throw their weight around against the British, whereas the Matsumae domain's handling of the situation was truly excellent."

This report reached the ears of Queen Victoria in her home country via the British Minister to Japan, Alcock, who was in Yokohama.
To reward Takahiro for his excellent rescue of the British merchant ship, the Queen sent him return gifts, including a 'luxurious watch with a gold chain' (perhaps a pocket watch?).

I believe this rescue of the merchant ship was made possible not only by Takahiro's leadership but also by the competence of the domain retainers working on the ground.
Fourteen years had passed since Takahiro became the lord of the domain, and I think this episode shows that the administrative level of the retainers as a whole had risen during that time.

4. Takahiro finally becomes a Roju, a pillar of support for the Shogun

Now, as Takahiro's reputation grew among foreigners, in July of the first year of Genji (1864), the Shogunate finally appointed Takahiro as a Roju-kaku (Senior Councilor rank) and concurrently as the Supreme Commander of the Shogunate's Navy and Army, and in November, they appointed him as a full Roju.

At this time, with military unrest occurring within the country, such as the Kinmon Incident and the Tengu-to Rebellion, the Shogunate likely sought to rebuild itself by placing Takahiro, who had an understanding of Western military affairs, in key positions in both military and political aspects.

Takahiro was no longer just a local tozama daimyo, but was expected to be a daimyo who would carry the core of the Shogunate's administration in both name and reality.

In April of the following year, Genji 2 (1865), it was decided that Shogun Iemochi would depart for Osaka for the Second Choshu Expedition, and Takahiro was also entrusted with the major role of guarding Iemochi and departed for Osaka.

Takahiro was deeply trusted by the young Shogun Iemochi, and it is said that at Osaka Castle, the two would consult almost every night about the conquest of Choshu.

In Osaka, along with another Roju, Abe Masato (Lord of the Shirakawa Domain), Takahiro served the Shogunate as one of the two wheels supporting Iemochi.

However, the times did not go as Takahiro or Iemochi had hoped. Takahiro's political life as a Roju, and his own life, would come to an end unexpectedly soon.

5. Takahiro's regrettable downfall: The issue of opening the port of Kobe

In September of Genji 2 (1865), warships from the four countries of the US, UK, France, and the Netherlands arrived off the coast of Kobe and Osaka, demanding compensation for the Shimonoseki Bombardment Incident and, in addition, the opening of the port of Kobe. They took a hardline stance, stating that if the opening of the port was refused, they would not hesitate to use force.

Although Kobe was supposed to be opened under the Ansei Five-Power Treaty, because it was geographically close to Kyoto, Emperor Komei had not permitted the opening of the port of Kobe. However, the four countries had lost patience with this attitude on the Japanese side.

Takahiro, who had long been in favor of opening the ports, consulted with Abe Masato and Shogun Iemochi, and the three decided that Kobe would be opened on October 1st. They notified the four countries accordingly.

They made this decision with the understanding that the current issue was a crisis requiring immediate action, that the issue of opening the port of Kobe was within the discretion of the Shogun's administrative power, and that there was no need to obtain the Emperor's permission (chokkyo).

However, thinking that it would be bad to ignore the Emperor's opinion, a faction centered on Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu (commonly known as the Ichikai-ku) put a stop to this. They argued that they should delay the negotiations with the four countries and obtain the imperial permission in the meantime. This was on September 26th.

With only a few days left until the port opening date, this difference of opinion emerged within the Shogunate, causing confusion. A meeting was held in the presence of Shogun Iemochi, where Abe and Matsumae continued to demand the immediate opening of the port, putting them in conflict with Yoshinobu.

In the end, the three members of the "Ichikaiku" group—Yoshinobu, Matsudaira Katamori of Aizu, and Matsudaira Sadaaki of Kuwana—visited the Kyoto Imperial Palace on September 28 to seek the Emperor's judgment on the matter.

As a result, Emperor Komei was enraged by the stance of Abe and Matsumae, who had attempted to open the ports without seeking imperial sanction, and both were stripped of their official ranks and ordered to confine themselves to their home domains.

Originally, the Emperor was not permitted to intervene in the Shogunate's personnel affairs, but by this late stage of the Edo period, the Shogunate could no longer ignore the Emperor's wishes. This incident clearly demonstrates that.

Due to Emperor Komei's intentions, the opening of the port of Kobe did not materialize at that time. However, because the four powers were also maintaining a hardline stance, the Shogunate managed to stall for time by giving them a difficult answer, claiming that "Emperor Komei has ratified the treaty."
Nevertheless, it is fair to say that this incident damaged foreign trust in the Edo Shogunate's diplomatic capabilities.
Ultimately, it was two years later that Emperor Komei gave his permission for the opening of the port of Kobe. (Kobe Port was opened on January 1, 1868, in the new calendar, just before the start of the Battle of Toba-Fushimi.)

Now, Matsumae Takahiro, who had incurred the wrath of Emperor Komei, lost all his standing within the Shogunate due to this incident and was forced to return to Matsumae.His goal of using his knowledge to rebuild the Shogunate was shattered, and it must have been a return home in deep despair.

And perhaps due to this stress and his many years of hardship, three months after returning to Matsumae, in April of the second year of Keio (1866), Takahiro contracted a fever and passed away shortly after at Matsumae Castle. He was only 38 years old.

Afterward, the Matsumae domain installed Tokuhiro, the son of the previous lord Masahiro, as the 13th lord. However, Tokuhiro was sickly and could not properly handle government affairs. As a result, the retainers split once again, with a coup occurring within the domain around the time of the Boshin War (roughly speaking, a conflict between opportunistic senior retainers and young retainers of the new government faction).

Reflecting on this, losing Takahiro—who was well-versed in scholarship, carried out domain reforms, and possessed the excellent leadership to unite his retainers—was a major blow to the Matsumae domain, especially during the turbulent Keio era.

Conclusion: Preserving the Footsteps of Takahiro

Now, we have looked at the life of Matsumae Takahiro. I believe Takahiro is not a very well-known figure, even within Hokkaido. When it comes to figures from Hokkaido at the end of the Edo period, Enomoto Takeaki and Hijikata Toshizo are definitely more famous.

However, shouldn't Takahiro's existence be highlighted more? It is true that he could not realize his ideals within the Shogunate and died in despair.
But it is also a fact that he took responsibility for his duties, united his domain, and seriously considered the national defense of all of Japan during the difficult times of the Bakumatsu period.

Regarding the Kobe port opening issue, I think that to people at the time, Takahiro's attitude might have looked like he was bowing to foreign pressure, but I believe it was an expression of his awareness that, having realistically recognized the gap in military power between the West and Japan, "we should open the ports now to increase Japan's national strength and build a country that can compete with the West."

I am very proud that such a person existed in the same Hokkaido, and I believe that Takahiro's footsteps—his attitude of taking responsibility for national affairs at the risk of his political life—is something that must be properly passed on to future generations.

While writing this article, I wanted to go to Matsumae again (laughs). By the way, the photo at the beginning was taken when I went in winter, and I personally like the snowy castle.