Who was this person?
A statesman from Satsuma, counted with Saigō Takamori and Kido Takayoshi among the "Three Great Nobles of the Restoration". He pushed the overthrow of the shogunate and the restoration of imperial rule, then drove the return of domain registers, the abolition of the domains and land-tax reform. After touring the West with the Iwakura Mission he became Home Minister and promoted industry, as at the Tomioka silk mill, but was assassinated at Kioizaka in Tokyo in 1878.
| Name | Ōkubo Toshimichi (大久保利通) |
|---|---|
| Born–died | 1830 – 1878 |
| Period | Late Edo–Meiji |
| Birthplace | Kagoshima castle town, Satsuma Province (now Kagoshima) |
| Also known as | Ōkubo Ichizō, Kōtō |
| Main achievements |
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Born into a low-ranking samurai family in Kajiya-chō, Kagoshima, Satsuma. Saigō Takamori, a neighbour, was a childhood friend.
Caught up in a succession dispute, his father was exiled to an island and he himself lost his post, living in poverty.
Recognized by the domain's strongman Shimazu Hisamitsu, he rose as his close aide.
With Saigō Takamori and others he pursued the Satchō Alliance with Chōshū.
With Iwakura Tomomi he brought about the proclamation restoring imperial rule and formed the new government.
After pushing through the abolition of the domains, he toured the West as deputy envoy of the Iwakura Mission.
Back home, he opposed the plan to send an envoy to Korea, clashing with Saigō. As Home Minister he promoted industry under the shokusan kōgyō policy.
After the expedition to Taiwan he went to Beijing himself to negotiate with Qing China.
He directed the government side in the Satsuma Rebellion led by Saigō, and also held the National Industrial Exhibition.
At Kioizaka in Tokyo he was attacked by disaffected former samurai and lost his life.
A. A statesman from Satsuma, counted with Saigō Takamori and Kido Takayoshi among the "Three Great Nobles of the Restoration". He pushed the overthrow of the shogunate and the restoration of imperial rule, then drove the return of domain registers, the abolition of the domains and land-tax reform. After touring the West with the Iwakura Mission he became Home Minister and promoted industry, as at the Tomioka silk mill, but was assassinated at Kioizaka in Tokyo in 1878.
A. Period: Late Edo–Meiji. Born in 1830, died in 1878.
A. Ōkubo Toshimichi was born in Kagoshima castle town, Satsuma Province (now Kagoshima).
A. Saigō Takamori and Ōkubo Toshimichi of Satsuma and Kido Takayoshi of Chōshū, regarded as the key figures of the Meiji Restoration. All three died within 1877–1878.
See also: Wikipedia (ja) / Wikipedia (en) / Wikipedia (fr) / Wikipedia (zh) / Wikidata
Follow this life (autoplay)Shimazu HisamitsuSaigō TakamoriIwakura TomomiKomatsu Tatewaki (Kiyokado)Matsukata MasayoshiGoto ShojiroKuroda KiyotakaŌyama Iwao
Takahashi YuichiSoejima TaneomiNishi AmaneYuri KimimasaKawanabe KyōsaiNakamura MasanaoTerashima MunenoriKido Takayoshi
People of the Meiji period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.