Yokoi Shonan

nihongo|Yokoi Shōnan|横井小楠| Yokoi Shōnan; (22 September 1809 – 15 February 1869) was a Bakumatsu period and early Meiji period scholar and political reformer in Japan, influential in the Bakumatsu period around the fall of the Tokugawa bakufu. His real name was Yokoi Tokiari.

Life and career

Yokoi was a "samurai" born in Kumamoto, Higo Province (present-day Kumamoto Prefecture), and a distant descendant of Hojo Takatoki. He was sent by the domain to Edo in 1839 for studies, and developed contacts with pro-reform members of the Mito domain. After his return to Kumamoto, he started a group to promote the reform of domain administration along Neo-Confucianism lines.

In 1857, he was invited by the "daimyo" of Echizen, Matsudaira Yoshinaga to teach at that domainal academy. In 1862, he was unexpectedly made acting head of the Shogunal government" (seiji sosai)" in a move calculated to obtain imperial approval for the "Shogun's" actions in signing the unequal treaties with the western powers in 1858.

Yokoi called for a complete reform of the Tokugawa bakufu government, including a reconciliation between the "Shogun" and the Imperial Court. He called for the complete opening of Japan to foreign trade, economic reform, and establishment of a modern military along western lines. He also called for a national assembly of the major domains, with the Shogun evolving into something that resembled a prime minister.

Outraged and astounded by these radical ideas, the "bakufu" government quickly stripped Yokoi of his posts, and even his "samurai" status, and placed him under house arrest.

After the Meiji Restoration, Yokoi was freed by the new Meiji government, and honored with the title of "san'yo" (councilor).

However, Yokoi was assassinated in 1869 by "samurai" who suspected him of being a Christian, and of harboring secret republican sentiments.

References

* Beasley, W. G. "The Meiji Restoration." Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1972.