Ōkubo Toshimichi

Continued samurai discontent culminated in the [[Satsuma Rebellion]] (1877), led by Saigō Takamori. Ōkubo, as the central figure in the government, directed the suppression of the rebellion, which, though costly, ultimately crushed the last major feudal resistance to the Meiji regime.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|pp=245-248}} He viewed the rebellion as a great misfortune but was grateful it occurred when the government was strong enough to handle it.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=248}}

Continued samurai discontent culminated in the [[Satsuma Rebellion]] (1877), led by Saigō Takamori. Ōkubo, as the central figure in the government, directed the suppression of the rebellion, which, though costly, ultimately crushed the last major feudal resistance to the Meiji regime.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|pp=245-248}} He viewed the rebellion as a great misfortune but was grateful it occurred when the government was strong enough to handle it.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=248}}

==Assassination==

On 14 May 1878, Ōkubo Toshimichi was assassinated in Tokyo by [[Shimada Ichirō]] and five other disaffected samurai from [[Ishikawa Prefecture|Ishikawa]] and [[Shimane Prefecture|Shimane prefectures]] while on his way to a Cabinet Council.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|pp=252-253, 265}} The assassins justified their deed by charging Ōkubo with suppressing popular rights, monopolizing administrative affairs, promulgating laws arbitrarily, depleting the national treasury, fomenting disorders, and prejudicing Japan's national rights in foreign relations.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|pp=253-254}} While these charges reflected the grievances of various opposition groups, both conservative and liberal, the consensus is that avenging Saigō Takamori's death was an important motivation for the assassins.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=254}} Ōkubo's murder set a precedent for subsequent political assassinations of top government officials.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=254}}

==Political philosophy==

==Political philosophy==

[[File: Toshimichi_Okubo_4.jpg|thumb|Portrait of Ōkubo]]

[[File: Toshimichi_Okubo_4.jpg|thumb|Portrait of Ōkubo]]

Ōkubo's political philosophy was pragmatic and centered on strengthening the Japanese state. He was a gradualist regarding constitutional government, believing Japan was not yet ready for full democracy.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=257}} In an 1873 paper, he advocated for a limited monarchy based on a constitution, where ultimate power would be shared between the ruler and the people, but with the Emperor retaining significant authority.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|pp=176-178}} His concept of an assembly was primarily consultative.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=178}} While he employed authoritarian methods, his goal was national survival and modernization, making him a key figure in establishing the foundations for a modern, centralized Japan, rather than a simple defender of absolutism.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|pp=178, 263-264}} His economic philosophy was centered on ''fukoku kyōhei'', with strong government patronage for industrial development to ensure national strength.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|pp=236-237}}

Ōkubo's political philosophy was pragmatic and centered on strengthening the Japanese state. He was a gradualist regarding constitutional government, believing Japan was not yet ready for full democracy.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=257}} In an 1873 paper, he advocated for a limited monarchy based on a constitution, where ultimate power would be shared between the ruler and the people, but with the Emperor retaining significant authority.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|pp=176-178}} His concept of an assembly was primarily consultative.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=178}} While he employed authoritarian methods, his goal was national survival and modernization, making him a key figure in establishing the foundations for a modern, centralized Japan, rather than a simple defender of absolutism.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|pp=178, 263-264}} His economic philosophy was centered on ''fukoku kyōhei'', with strong government patronage for industrial development to ensure national strength.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|pp=236-237}}

==Personal life==

Ōkubo was married to Masuko, about whom little is recorded. He also maintained a [[Concubinage|concubine]], Oyu, which was customary for men of his standing.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=252}} His children included Yoshiko (eldest daughter), and sons Hikonoshin (Toshikazu), Nobukuma (Makino Shinken), Toshitake, Tatsukuma, Yukuma, Shunkuma, Shichikuma, and Toshikata.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=252}} He took a keen interest in their education, placing two sons in American schools.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=252}} His personal diversions included ''[[shogi]]'', smoking, hunting, and attending ''[[sumo]]'' matches.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=252}} In public life, he was often perceived as coldly austere, but he seems to have shed this manner in the presence of his family.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=252}}

==Assassination==

On 14 May 1878, Ōkubo Toshimichi was assassinated in Tokyo by [[Shimada Ichirō]] and five other disaffected samurai from [[Ishikawa Prefecture|Ishikawa]] and [[Shimane Prefecture|Shimane prefectures]] while on his way to a Cabinet Council.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|pp=252-253, 265}} The assassins justified their deed by charging Ōkubo with suppressing popular rights, monopolizing administrative affairs, promulgating laws arbitrarily, depleting the national treasury, fomenting disorders, and prejudicing Japan's national rights in foreign relations.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|pp=253-254}} While these charges reflected the grievances of various opposition groups, both conservative and liberal, the consensus is that avenging Saigō Takamori's death was an important motivation for the assassins.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=254}} Ōkubo's murder set a precedent for subsequent political assassinations of top government officials.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=254}}

==Legacy==

==Legacy==

Ōkubo Toshimichi is regarded as one of the most important figures in the Meiji Restoration and the founding of modern Japan. His unwavering dedication to unifying and strengthening the nation, his administrative competence, and his far-sighted policies laid the groundwork for Japan's rapid modernization.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|pp=256-257, 263-264}} He was a master of ''Realpolitik'', adapting his methods and ideologies to achieve his overarching goal of a strong, centralized state. Although his authoritarian tendencies and the concentration of power in his hands drew criticism, his leadership during a tumultuous period was crucial for Japan's survival and development.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|pp=254, 263-264}} The establishment of a stable government and basic policies by 1878, the year of his death, allowed succeeding leaders to continue the work he had begun.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=255}} His death was considered a public misfortune for Japan, as it lost a shrewd and realistic statesman who had ably fulfilled his mission of transforming a feudal country into a modern nation.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=267}}

Ōkubo Toshimichi is regarded as one of the most important figures in the Meiji Restoration and the founding of modern Japan. His unwavering dedication to unifying and strengthening the nation, his administrative competence, and his far-sighted policies laid the groundwork for Japan's rapid modernization.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|pp=256-257, 263-264}} He was a master of ''Realpolitik'', adapting his methods and ideologies to achieve his overarching goal of a strong, centralized state. Although his authoritarian tendencies and the concentration of power in his hands drew criticism, his leadership during a tumultuous period was crucial for Japan's survival and development.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|pp=254, 263-264}} The establishment of a stable government and basic policies by 1878, the year of his death, allowed succeeding leaders to continue the work he had begun.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=255}} His death was considered a public misfortune for Japan, as it lost a shrewd and realistic statesman who had ably fulfilled his mission of transforming a feudal country into a modern nation.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=267}}

==Personal life==

Ōkubo was married to Masuko, about whom little is recorded. He also maintained a [[Concubinage|concubine]], Oyu, which was customary for men of his standing.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=252}} His children included Yoshiko (eldest daughter), and sons Hikonoshin (Toshikazu), Nobukuma (Makino Shinken), Toshitake, Tatsukuma, Yukuma, Shunkuma, Shichikuma, and Toshikata.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=252}} He took a keen interest in their education, placing two sons in American schools.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=252}} His personal diversions included ''[[shogi]]'', smoking, hunting, and attending ''[[sumo]]'' matches.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=252}} In public life, he was often perceived as coldly austere, but he seems to have shed this manner in the presence of his family.{{sfn|Iwata|1964|p=252}}

==Honours==

==Honours==