Kido Takayoshi Japanese politician during the late Tokugawa shogunate and Meiji Restoration. Date of Birth: 11.08.1833 Country: Japan

1. Biography of Kido Takayoshi
2. Early Life and Education
3. Meiji Restoration and Political Career
4. Later Years and Legacy

Biography of Kido Takayoshi

Kido Takayoshi was a Japanese politician during the late Tokugawa Shogunate and the Meiji Restoration. He was a samurai from the Tosa domain, a monarchist, and a disciple of Yoshida Shoin. He was one of the authors of the Five Charter Oath and initiated land and administrative reforms aimed at eliminating the federal structure of Japan and creating a powerful unitary empire. Takayoshi served as the vice envoy of the Japanese government mission (1871-1873), led by Tomomi Iwakura, which traveled to Russia, America, and Europe to study Western experiences. He also served as the 2nd Minister of Culture (January 25 - May 13, 1874) and the 2nd Minister of Internal Affairs of Japan (February 14 - April 27, 1874). He was one of the leaders of the Tosa faction in the Japanese government and opposed the conquest of Korea (1873) and Taiwan (1874). He represented the Sonno Joi movement in Tosa and represented Tosa in the alliance of Satsuma and Tosa domains.

Early Life and Education

Kido Takayoshi was born in the lands of the Tosa domain (currently Yamaguchi Prefecture) into the Wada Masakage family, a clan doctor. At the age of 7, he was adopted by the Katsura samurai family as their adopted son. In 1849, Takayoshi entered the school of Yoshida Shoin, Sekisonsai, and after graduating, he went to Edo for an apprenticeship where he studied Western artillery under the guidance of Egawa Tarozemon. In 1859, during the Ansei Repression, Takayoshi became acquainted with many politicians and public figures from his own domain as well as from Mito, Echizen, and Satsuma, who were part of the anti-government and anti-foreign movement. These acquaintances pushed him to participate in this movement. After the Hamaguri Gate Incident of 1864, in which the forces of the Tosa domain suffered defeat from the Satsuma domain, the power was seized by politicians led by Takasugi Shinsaku, who advocated overthrowing the shogunate. Shinsaku was familiar with Takayoshi, so the latter returned to his homeland and became the chief diplomat of the new government of the domain. In 1866, with the mediation of Sakamoto Ryoma from the Tosa domain, he formed a secret alliance with their former enemy, the Satsuma domain, with the goal of overthrowing the shogunate and building a unified Japan under the Emperor's rule.

Meiji Restoration and Political Career

After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, which ended the rule of the shogunate in Japan, Takayoshi became part of the new Imperial government, where he worked as an advisor to the General Affairs Office. Together with Yuri Kimimasa and Fukooka Takatika, he participated in the creation of the Five Charter Oath, the manifesto of Emperor Meiji that defined the main directions of the restoration course. In 1870, Takayoshi became an advisor to the Emperor and initiated reforms aimed at nationalizing land, eliminating feudal domains, and creating a centralized unitary state. The following year, together with Okubo Toshimichi and Ito Hirobumi, he was included in Tomomi Iwakura's mission, which visited Russia, European countries, and the United States to study systems of governance, economy, and military. Upon his return to Japan in 1873, Takayoshi opposed the plan of Saigo Takamori and Itagaki Taisuke to conquer Korea and resigned in protest. Soon after, he emerged as an opposition figure against the dictatorial regime of Okubo Toshimichi and began an enlightening campaign criticizing the state system.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1874, Takayoshi returned to the government and briefly served as the Minister of Culture (January 25 - May 13, 1874) and the Minister of Internal Affairs (February 14 - April 27, 1874). However, due to his protest against the expedition of Japanese troops to Taiwan, he resigned once again. The following year, at a meeting in Osaka, Takayoshi managed to overcome disagreements with Okubo and the ministers and re-entered the government as an Imperial advisor. He was also appointed to the Assembly of Regional Officials, which he chaired from June 20 to July 17, 1875. In 1877, Takayoshi fell seriously ill and retired from all positions. He passed away on May 26, 1877, in Kyoto, during the height of the Satsuma Rebellion.

For his services to the state, the Kido family was elevated to the titled aristocracy, known as the kazoku class.