Sakamoto Ryōma originated from the low-ranking gōshi samurai class of Tosa Province, emerging as a pivotal force during the tumultuous Bakumatsu period. Operating under the alias Saitani Umetarō, he navigated the collapse of the Tokugawa shogunate to advocate for the modernization of Japan and the restoration of power to the Imperial Court.
Early Development and Training
Born on 3 January 1836, Sakamoto grew up within the strictly segregated caste system of Tosa. While he showed little academic interest in his youth, he eventually excelled as a swordsman. In 1853, he travelled to Edo to train at the Chiba-Dōjō, where he eventually earned a scroll of mastery and became a shihan. This period of his life was defined by rigorous kenjutsu training and his burgeoning engagement with the changing political climate of Japan.
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The arrival of Commodore Matthew C. Perry in 1853 and the subsequent Convention of Kanagawa signaled the end of Japan's isolationist sakoku policy. Sakamoto joined the anti-Tokugawa movement in Tosa, though he eventually broke with the local Tosa Loyalist Party. He chose to leave his domain without authorization, an act of dappan that placed him in significant danger as he began his work against the shōgun.
The Satchō Alliance and Assassination
Sakamoto transitioned from a potential assassin of government official Katsu Kaishū to his protege, adopting a broader vision for national military modernization. He famously orchestrated the Satchō Alliance, bridging the gap between the rival Chōshū and Satsuma domains to oppose the Tokugawa government. His political career was cut short in December 1867 when he was assassinated in Kyoto alongside Nakaoka Shintarō.
Fast facts
- Born: 1836, Tosa Province
- Died: 1867, Kyoto
- Alias: Saitani Umetarō
- Membership: Kaientai
- Notable works: Senchū hassaku and Shinseifukōryō Hassaku
- Burial site: Ryōzen Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Sakamoto Ryōma's social rank?
He belonged to the gōshi rank, which was the lowest tier of the samurai hierarchy.
Why did he leave the Tosa Domain?
He left without permission, an act known as dappan, after disagreeing with the narrow focus of the local Tosa Loyalist Party.
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