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Takasugi Shinsaku. Author Oriental Culture Association.

Top 10 Facts About Takasugi Shinsaku

Takasugi Shinsaku was born on 27th September1839 in  castle town Hagi, which was the capital of the Ch艒sh奴 Domain, currently known as the Yamaguchi. He was the son of Takasugi Koch奴ta who was a middle-ranked samurai and his mother was Mich. He had three younger sisters who were know as Timo, Sachi and Mei.

Takasugi Shinsaku was a known samurai from the Ch艒sh奴 Domain of Japan. Shinsaku contributed a lot to the Meiji Restoration. He applied several techniques to hide his activities from the Tokugawa shogunate.

Let鈥檚 learn the top 10 facts about Takasuki Shinsaku

1. He Devoted his Life in Military

During the modernization of the Ch艒shu鈥檚 military, he decided to devoted himself in the army. During his time in the military he was the favorite student of Yoshida. In 1858, Shinsaku started military classes at the Sh艒heik艒 which was a military school.

Takasuki’s  teacher was arrested during the Ansei Purge in 1859,  Shinsaku always paid him a visit in jail. But he was later executed on 21st November 1859.

2. Takasugi Participated in an Investigation About State of Affair and the Strength of the Western Powers 

In  1862, the domain ordered him to secretly go to Shanghai which was in the Great Qing Empire. Takasuki Shinsaku  was to investigate the state of affairs and also the strength of the Western powers. During his secretive visit he coincided with the Taiping Rebellion.

Takasuki Shinsaku was shocked with the problem caused by the European imperialism in the Chinese Empire. Upon his return to Japan, he warned the domain if they were not strong enough their would not be able to avoid being colonized by the western powers.

Takasugi’s advice was heard.  Shinsaku was supported by Ch艒sh奴 and also other parts in Japan and it was implemented.

3. He Formed a Special Unit in 1863

Portrait of Takasugi Shinsaku. Unknown author.

In the year 1863, he came up with a a special unit which was called Shotai. The unit had 300 soldiers and almost half of them were Samurai.

4. He was the Head of Defense of the Shimoneseki 

When Ch艒sh奴 attaked and fired the Western warships in Shimonoseki on 25th June 1863, the British together with the French, Dutch and American forces attacked and bombarded the port of the Ch艒sh奴 domain.

It later came to be known as the Bombardment of Shimonoseki. After this attack Takasugi was appointed the head of defense of Shimonoseki.

5. Takasugi was Arrested in 1864

On February 1864, when Takasuki Shinsaku failed to dissuade Kijima Matabei from the fight he had planned in Japan. Shinsaku went into hiding in Kyoto but he was later found when he was persuaded by Katsura Kogor艒 to return.

When Shinsaku arrived he was arrested and taken to Noyama-Goku Prison . Takasuki Shinsaku was charged for leaving the domain. When he was released in July, he was ordered to remain at home.

6. At the Age of 25 He was the Director of Military Affairs

 Takasuki Shinsaku was appointed by the Ch艒sh奴 administration to take up the role as the director of Military Affairs. At the Age 25 years old,  Takasuki was also trusted to lead the domain in peace negotiating with the four Western powers.

When  Takasuki assumed he roles, he realized that peace negotiations with the western powers was not the solution. This was due to the humiliation of Ch艒sh奴 forces against the Western powers.

 Instead, Takasugi opted to lead Japan in learning the new military tactics, techniques and technologies from the West. Shinsaku immediately reorganized his Kiheitai militia which became a rifle-unit

Takasugi  equipped them with the latest modern rifles. He also introduced them to training in Western strategy and tactics.

7. He Married a Magistrate Daughter

In  1860, Takasugi married Inoue Masa who was born in the year 1845.  Masa was the daughter of a Yamaguchi retainer who was a magistrate.

Masa鈥檚 father was a friend of Takasugi鈥檚 father. His marriage was fully arranged by his parents. They had hopes that he would eventually take his mind off of from his best teacher’s death in  1859 and  settle down with his wife.

8. Takasugi Left Home for Naval Training

On April 1861, Takasugi left home to undertake naval training classes on the clan’s warship Heishinmaru where he travelled to Edo. Later in September the same year, Takasugi  moved to T艒hoku region for studies.

 While he was in T艒hoku he associated himself with Sakuma Sh艒zan and Yokoi Sh艒nan.

9. He was an Expert in Western Military Science

During the civil war in Japan, Takasugi played a major role where his Kiheitai militia showed its superiority over the old-fashioned samurai forces. With his series of strikes and the support he got from the Katsura Kogor艒, in 1865 , he achieved victory.

After his victory, Takasugi became the main domain鈥檚 policy expert on western powers. Takasugi imported arms to try and improve the troops standards.

These efforts were successful when Ch艒sh奴 became victorious on four fronts against the Bakufu. His Kiheitai militia won two fronts.

10. He Died at the Age of 28

Tomb of Shinsaku Takasugi. Author sky ear.

Takasugi died due to tuberculosis. His tuberculosis disease made him not to see the success he made for his Country as a soldier.

Takasugi left a will. It stated that, he should be buried near the Kiheitai鈥檚 camp which was at Mt. Kiyomizu in Yoshida.

Takasugi was a dedicated servant who served his nation and the people of Japan with all his heart. He tried every means to avoid the western powers from colonizing the Japanese. He used his resources to buy arms to his soldiers in order to equip them properly and prepare them for war.

Despite his young age he is always remembered as a true Patriotic to his country. He serves as a role model to young generation service for their country, to serve with honor and dignity.