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One Samurai thought outside the box to modernize his nation

Every day at the Self Defense Company we fight to help people understand the difference between traditional martial arts and self defense like we teach.  The difference is really simple though one is great for competition and the other will save your ass, but as much as we try people still need to be convinced.  Some hang on to traditions regardless of progress, and that was the case in Japan from 1633 until 1853 which is know as the Sakoku period.  The Shogunate ruled with an iron fist and trade were severely limited in the island nation, and violation of the law was punishable by death.  While the world moved forward Japan remained in the middle ages, but a young Takashima Shūhan would witness of the power of firearms and made them part of Japan’s martial culture.

Now prior to Japan closing off its borders to westerns firearms were extensively used by samurai and ordinary soldiers.  Both Portuguese and Dutch traders sold European matchlocks to the various samurai clans. Though they had their limitations like rate of fire and difficulties firing in damp weather most clans took well to the new weapons system and were soon producing their own homemade versions.  During the Sengoku or Warring States period during which Japan was in a state of almost constant warfare from 1490 to1600 firearms were common place on the battlefield.  The internal conflict would end with Tokugawa Ieyasu and his clan as victors, he established the first shogun regime, and ruled as a military dictator.  While a lasting peace would be created the new regime also cut off ties with the west.

During the Sakoku period the samurai flourished, but they didn’t advance like their western counterparts.  While European armies were developing into forces closer to those we recognize today Japan’s armies were still organized around the old feudal model.  The need to improve the military became crystal clear to Takashima in 1808 who was ten at the time.  The son of local officials in Nagasaki one of the few places foreigners were allowed to trade Takashima witnessed the HMS Phaeton come into the harbor to ambush Dutch ships that were supposed to be in harbor.  Though the ships weren’t there the British navy took Dutch prisoners and held them hostage demanding resupply, and threatened to fire on ships in the harbor.  The under strength garrison could do little, so the British were given their supplies, and left before ships and reinforcements arrived to stop them.  This event had a powerful effect on the young Takashima who made it his mission in life to prepare Japan to deal with invaders.

Takashima did what he could with limited resources and when he was able he purchased whatever weapons and books Dutch merchants were willing to sell.  Over time he wasn’t satisfied with just buying firearms and learned how to produce them and other weapons like mortars and field guns.  In 1839 the first of two Opium wars began in China, where the British fought for the right to sell opium in China in violations of Chinese law.  Takashima knew if Japan couldn’t defend itself against modern forces others could force their will on his homeland, and courage wouldn’t matter against advanced weaponry.

Incidents like what happen with the Phaeton continued to happen, so individual clans would send students to study with Takashima, but there were laws in place banning the use and production of western weapons.  Eventually in 1843 the authorities caught on to what Takashima who was than a city administrator was doing.  He answered the charges by demonstrating what western tactics, weapons and artillery could do on the battlefield. The authorities who witnessed the demonstration must have been impressed, because they didn’t only clear of him of the charges, but soon the law was changed.

Though he wasn’t facing a charge of treason any longer things didn’t go completely smoothly for Takashima whose critics mostly proponents of traditional fighting methods had him placed under house arrest.  It wasn’t until after the arrival of the United States Navy and Commodore Perry who opened up Japan to foreign trade did Takashima begin working on the modernization of the military.  He was made an instructor in the Shogun’s own army, and recommended a number of improvements that included expanding the army and navy.  Japan was beginning a new era as it opened its doors to the world, but for Takashima it was always about being able to provide the best defense possible for his nation.