The Choshu clan has a strong image of reverence and debate, but at the beginning, it was [strong> loyal to the imperial court, faithful to the shogunate, and filial piety to ancestors . ], With the three major catchphrases, it was distinct from the radical confrontational structure.
1861 Metsuke of the clan ・ Masaraku Nagai Is [ voyage strategy ] Is recommended for political and diplomatic ideas. The imperial court and the shogunate should cooperate in opening the country to strengthen their armaments before expanding overseas. , The clan theory leans toward the Kobu Gattai policy for a while.
However, Shinsaku Takasugi Those from Matsushita Village School, such as, disagree with this, and both Kogoro Katsura and [ Joi Joi ] That is, let's abandon the trade treaty and subdue foreigners I will unify it with the idea.
The Choshu clan, fearing the division of the clan due to the rise of the clan, made Nagai seppuku and used force as a clan Sonno movement . Will be promoted.
However, 1863 August 18th Political Change As a result, the Choshu clan had to change the clan theory by 180 degrees, and in Kyoto, the power relationship between the revered sect and the Kobu Gattai sect was reversed. Kogoro Katsura who was exiled from Kyoto together by the expulsion of the Choshu clan Returned to Kyoto and struggled to restore the clan's honor, but unfortunately the recommendation to the imperial court was not accepted.
Kinmon Incident
1864 In the Shinsengumi , the Choshu clan and other honorable scholars who had a meeting at the Ikedaya inn in Kyoto Ikedaya Incident where many people are killed or injured after being attacked by Will occur. After that, in July of the same year, Kusaka Genzui went up with soldiers in order to make a comeback, but he collided with the Allied Forces of various clan such as Satsuma, Aizu, and Kuwana.
This battle is Kinmon Incident Is called.
Taking this battle as an opportunity, the shogunate was given the cause of the conquest of the Choshu clan by command.
Furthermore, the Choshu clan will be attacked by foreigners. In August 1864, a coalition of British, French, American, and Dutch bombarded and occupied the battery of Shimonoseki in retaliation for the bombardment of foreigners.
In response to these measures, the Choshu clan followed the trend of the revered sect and armed Kyojun to the shogunate. [ Justice ] led by Masanosuke Zhou ] And Apology to the Shogunate [ Conservative ] And others were in a fierce conflict. In September of the same year, a meeting was held in the presence of the feudal lord, and the order was decided in the order of armed lords. Is seppuku.
As a result, the conservatives took control within the domain, Kogoro Katsura fled to Tajima, Shinsaku Takasugi fled to Kyushu, and the Kiheitai were dissolved.
The conservatives who took control in the clan purge the revered sect in the clan Then, the three elders of the justice group who were involved in the Kinmon Incident were disposed of, and the clan was unified in a thorough order, and served as a military staff member Saigo Takamori . With the suggestion of, the conqueror's army decided to withdraw without engaging.
This treatment by Saigo Takamori had important implications that would lead to the later movement of the Satsuma Domain. Katsu Kaishu who was a warship magistrate as a staff member It is said that Katsu Kaishu told him that he was conquering Choshu.
Although Katsu Kaishu is a vassal of the shogunate, he believes that it is no longer possible to regenerate the shogunate. I was thinking of establishing and competing with other countries. Saigo, who was deeply impressed with this idea, will continue to make a leap toward the realization of the coalition government of the Yuhan domain with the survival of the Choshu domain.
The 250-year grudge of the Choshu clan Mori family was deep.
The Mouri family, who controlled most of the Chugoku region during their heyday, were attached to the Western Army at the Battle of Sekigahara. The Mori clan's vassal, Kikkawa Hiroie, had a secret relationship with the East Army, and the Mori clan's territory had promised to be safe. However, after the battle, the promise was broken, and Suo Province / Nagato Province (Choshu Domain) As a result, it was greatly reduced.
For 250 years since then, the Choshu clan Mori family said at the New Year's gathering, " How is the opportunity for this year's debate ? ?? 』And the vassals ask , Clan Lord Is [ premature ] It seems that it was customary to answer. Considering that many of the human resources who were the driving force of the restoration came from the Choshu clan, we cannot help feeling the irony of history.