Pathway to Japanese Literature

In the first month of Meiji 1 (1868), the year of Boshin, after Tokugawa Yoshinobu's forces were defeated at Fushimi and Toba, proved unable to defend even Osaka Castle, and fled by sea to Edo, the officials of Osaka, Hyogo, and Sakai abandoned their posts and went into hiding, plunging these cities into temporary anarchy. Thus Osaka came under the jurisdiction of Satsuma Domain, Hyogo under Nagato Domain, and Sakai under Tosa Domain, these three domains being placed in charge by imperial command. In early February, first the Tosa Domain's 6th Infantry Squad entered Sakai, followed by the 8th Infantry Squad. The military encampments were established at the yoriki (mounted guards) residences and dōshin (constable) residences in Itoyamachi. Around this time, as Tosa Domain had also been entrusted with Sakai's civil administration, Senior Inspector Sugi Kibeita, Inspector Ikoma Seiji, and others entered the former assembly hall in Ōdōri Kushiyamachi and established the Military Magistrate Office. At the Military Magistrate Office, they searched out seventy-three former shogunate officials who had been hiding in the Kawachi and Yamato areas and had them handle administrative affairs according to precedent. Order was soon restored in the city, and the theater gates that had once been closed began to reopen.

It was February 15th. The town elders learned that French soldiers were coming from Osaka to Sakai and reported this to the Military Magistrate Office. Among the sixteen foreign warships that had been anchored in Yokohama and came to drop anchor off Tennōzan in Settsu were those of France alongside Britain and America. Sugi summoned the captains of the 6th and 8th Squads and ordered them to deploy to Yamato Bridge. If the French soldiers were to pass through with official permission, there should have been prior notification from former Uwajima Domain lord and Foreign Affairs Officer Date Iyo-no-kami Munenari, yet none existed. Even if notification had failed to arrive in time, one needed a permit for inland travel. Without it, there was no need to permit passage. Sugi, accompanied by Ikoma and two squads of soldiers, secured Yamato Bridge and waited. It was then that the French soldiers arrived. When they had their interpreter inquire about permits, they had none. The French soldiers, being few in number, found their way blocked by Tosa troops and withdrew back to Osaka.

On the evening of the same day, a townsman came running into the encampment of the infantry squad that had returned from Yamato Bridge, reporting that French sailors had come ashore from the harbor. The French warship came to a point about one ri offshore from the harbor and sent twenty boats loaded with sailors to make landfall. As the two infantry captains were making preparations for deployment, an order arrived from the Military Magistrate Office directing them to deploy. When they immediately went to investigate, they found the sailors were not committing any particularly egregious acts of violence. However, they were intruding rudely into shrines and temples. They were forcing their way into homes. They were seizing women and mocking them. The townspeople of Sakai—unaccustomed to foreigners since their port wasn't open to international trade—were startled into terrified confusion, many shutting their doors and barricading themselves indoors. The two captains tried to persuade them to return to their boats but found no interpreter available. Even when gesturing for them to leave, not a single sailor complied. Thereupon, the captains ordered a withdrawal back to their encampment. The soldiers attempted to apprehend nearby sailors using ropes. The sailors fled toward the pier. One among them grabbed the squad flag propped against a townhouse entrance and ran off.

The two captains led the soldiers and gave chase. They could not catch up to the long-legged Frenchmen accustomed to swift running. The sailors were already trying to board the launches. Around this time, the Tosa infantry squad had scaffold workers attached to them, and when conducting patrols in the city, they would take four or five of these men along each time. Carrying the squad flag was also the role of these scaffold workers, and among them was a scaffold foreman called Umehachi the Flag Bearer. When there was a fire in Edo requiring his attendance, he was said to never fall behind a fast horse by even one ken—a master of rapid pursuit. This Umehachi dashed through the squad's soldiers and pursued the sailor who had taken the squad flag. The scaffold hook in hand whistled through the air and came crashing down upon the sailor’s skull. The sailor let out a cry and fell backward. Umehachi retrieved the squad flag.

Seeing this, the sailors waiting in the boats suddenly opened fire with their pistols. The two captains made a split-second decision and gave the order: "Fire!" The soldiers, who had been waiting impatiently, lined up over seventy gun muzzles and fired at the launches that were taking in the landing troops. About six sailors collapsed in disarray. Some were injured and fell into the water. Those uninjured also suddenly leaped into the water; all clung to the launches' gunwales with one hand while steering them by kicking through the waves with their feet. When bullets came, they submerged to evade, then resurfaced and spat out seawater. The launches gradually grew distant. The total number of French sailor fatalities was thirteen, one of whom was a non-commissioned officer.

It was then that Sugi rushed to the scene and ordered them to cease firing and return to their encampment. As the two squads were withdrawing to their encampment, someone came from the Military Magistrate Office to summon the two captains. When asked by Sugi why they had opened fire without awaiting orders from their superior, the two captains explained that in the urgency of the situation, they had been unable to wait for commands. Of course, while they had indeed counterattacked after being fired upon first from the boats, the Tosa soldiers had harbored ill feelings toward the French from the very beginning. This stemmed from a circulating account that when Tosa people, having been granted a brocade banner to subjugate Matsuyama Domain, were transporting it back to their province, Frenchmen intercepted their party in Kobe—having their interpreter claim it was to mediate peace between the imperial court and shogunate—and attempted to seize the brocade banner.

Sugi said to both captains: “Given how things have unfolded, there’s no helping it now. There may be a warship attack—prepare your defenses.” He then dispatched Ikoma to the Foreign Affairs Section for reporting purposes and sent one lower inspector to the domain residence in Kyoto. The two captains were perplexed when ordered to defend against warships with merely two platoons of soldiers but dispatched scouts to the coast and decided to send several men alternately from both squads to garrison the artillery battery. At that moment came several dozen defeated shogunate soldiers—those they had taken in when first entering this land—who said:

“If French warships should come, please make use of us.” “At the artillery battery, there are thirty-six cannons that were installed during the time of the Tokugawa family, and they are now under the custody of Lord Okabe Chikuzen-no-kami Nagahiro, the lord of Kishiwada Domain.” “We will defend with those.” “Please fire at the ones coming ashore,” they said.

Both captains sent those people to the artillery battery. Before long, Kishiwada Domain also dispatched soldiers to the artillery battery and kept watch over the Hyōgo direction with telescopes.

When night fell, there came a report that French launches had arrived at the harbor entrance. However, those launches numbered five or six, and all returned without landing. They had probably come to search for the sailors' bodies. In fact, there were also those who said they had apparently managed to find several corpses, loaded them, and returned.

At dawn on the sixteenth, through directive of the Foreign Affairs Section, Tosa Domain was stripped of its oversight authority over Sakai and compelled to withdraw its troops. The Military Magistrate Office relayed this decree and commanded both captains to retreat to Osaka's storehouse compound. Both captains promptly made preparations and departed Sakai. Traveling via Sumiyoshi Highway, they reached the Tosa Domain-affiliated Nakashi merchant house in Osaka's Oike-dori 6-chome near the hour of the Sheep. Ikoma Seiji—dispatched from Sakai's Military Magistrate Office to report to the Foreign Affairs Section—merely had his oral account recorded. Subsequently, the Foreign Affairs Section mandated that either a Sakai-stationed military magistrate or one captain present themselves. Sugi complied. They then returned the Sakai Incident report submitted by Ishikawa Sekinosuke at Osaka's Tosa residence, demanding its thorough revision and resubmission. Sugi provisionally accepted this directive, tendering a report bearing both captains' signatures while noting that should further interrogation arise, he would produce those directly involved.

On the 17th, following the previous day’s deliberations, Chief Retainer Yamanouchi Hayato, Senior Inspector Hayashi Kamekichi, Inspector Tani Usagemō, several lower inspectors, and the Kyoto-based troops led by Nagao Tarōzaemon were dispatched from the Tosa Domain residence in Kyoto to Osaka. This group arrived in Osaka as night fell, whereupon Hayashi immediately issued an order to relocate Sugi, Ikoma, and both infantry captains to the Tosa Domain residence in Nagahori. On the 18th, through Nagao Tarōzaemon, they ordered both infantry captains to suspend their duties and prohibited all their subordinates from leaving their quarters. Both captains requested to Nagao that they would assume full responsibility for this incident themselves, wishing to avoid causing undue trouble to their subordinates who had acted in accordance with their orders. The soldiers of both squads had squad leaders Ikegami Yasukichi and Ōishi Jinkichi convey their regards concerning the suspension of duties to both captains. Both captains explained to their subordinates the intent of the request they had made to Nagao.

Before long, three infantry squads from Tosa Domain arrived from Kyoto and began strictly guarding the Nagahori domain residence, challenging all comings and goings.

Next arrived Chief Retainer Fukao Kanae together with Senior Inspector Kominami Gorōemon as representative of former Tosa Domain lord Yamauchi Tosa-no-kami Yodo. This followed Envoy Leon Roche from the French warship Venus anchored at Osaka having negotiated with the Foreign Affairs Section for damage reparations. The envoy's demands were immediately approved by imperial council. First: that the lord of Tosa Domain would personally visit the Venus to offer apologies. Second: that two officers who commanded Tosa Domain troops in Sakai and twenty soldiers from the unit that killed Frenchmen be executed within three days after arrival of negotiation documents in Kyoto at said killing site. Third: that said domain lord pay 150,000 francs as support funds for families of slain Frenchmen. For implementing these measures while ill-disposed to come personally to Osaka, said domain lord had dispatched Chief Retainer Fukao Kanae as his representative.

The lower inspectors accompanying Fukao summoned each of the seventy-three soldiers from both the 6th and 8th Infantry Squads individually to interrogate them about whether they had fired shots in Sakai. That this interrogation essentially became a test of the soldiers' courage or cowardice stemmed inevitably from human weakness - there was truly no avoiding it. Twenty-nine men admitted to having fired. From the 6th Squad: Captain Minoura Inokichi; Squad Leader Ikegami Yasukichi; Soldiers Sugimoto Kōgorō, Katsugase Sanroku, Yamamoto Tetsusuke, Morimoto Mokichi, Kitadai Kensuke, Inada Kan-no-jō, Yanase Tsunashichi, Hashizume Aihei, Okazaki Eihee, Kawatani Gintarō, Okazaki Tashirō, Mizuno Mannosuke, Kishida Kanpei, Montaka Takutarō, Kusunose Yasujirō. From the 8th Squad: Captain Nishimura Saheiji; Squad Leader Ōishi Jinkichi; Soldiers Takeuchi Mingorō, Yokota Tatsugorō, Doi Tokutarō, Kaneda Tokiharu, Takeuchi Yasaburō, Sakata Jiemon, Nakajō Jūngorō, Yokota Seijirō, Tamaru Yūrokurō. Those who denied firing included twenty soldiers from the 6th Squad beginning with Hamada Tomotarō and twenty-one from the 8th Squad starting with Nagano Minekichi, totaling forty-one men.

On the nineteenth day, those who had answered that they had not fired were transferred after nightfall to a merchant's house at Oike 6-chome and informed they would be sent home once preparations were complete. In contrast, those who had admitted to firing surrendered their firearms and ammunition, and under the pretext of custody were placed under the surveillance of the artillery unit previously dispatched to Osaka—the Sixth Squad confined to their original main residence in Nagahori, while the Eighth Squad was confined to the western residence. On the twentieth day, those who had answered that they had not fired boarded boats from in front of the Nagahori domain residence. Later these men passed through Marugame and returned to Tosa via the Kitayama Road. Though ordered into confinement for several days, it was later decided they should resume regular duties. To those who had admitted to firing came lower inspectors accompanied by artillery soldiers to confiscate their swords. As word of their impending execution had already reached these men’s ears, some declared they would rather charge a French warship and die than have their hands bound to receive the blade. This was stopped by Doi Hachinosuke of the Eighth Squad, who called it reckless. Then some proposed they should all stab each other and die. Just as officials arrived to confiscate their swords, several men moved to act—reasoning that if they didn’t die now, they might never get another chance. Once again Takeuchi Mingorō of the Eighth Squad intervened. While stating they should follow instructions as there were matters to address, he traced on the tatami with his finger: “I have two daggers in my belongings.” In the end they all surrendered their swords.

On the 22nd, Senior Inspector Kominami Gorōemon came and issued an order to all soldiers of the Sixth and Eighth Squads that there was a message to be delivered from the Retired Lord, commanding them to immediately assemble in the main hall. "The Retired Lord" was the title used for Yamauchi Yōdō since he transferred the family headship to Tosa-no-kami Toyonori and took the name Yōdō. Excluding the four captains and squad leaders, twenty-five men stood arrayed in the main hall. Then Kominami and his subordinate officials entered and took their seats. When attendants opened the golden sliding doors at the front, Fukao appeared. All present pressed their foreheads to the floor.

Fukao said.

"This was something the Retired Lord himself was meant to announce, but given his present indisposition, this humble servant delivers it in his stead." "In connection with the recent Sakai Incident, as the French have pressed their demands upon the imperial court, we have been ordered to produce twenty perpetrators." "The Retired Lord is profoundly distressed." "It is His Lordship's command that you all surrender your lives with composure." Having finished speaking, Fukao rose and withdrew into the inner chambers.

Next, Kominami conveyed Lord Toyonori’s command.

“Regarding the twenty men to be surrendered this time, there is no proper way to choose whom to include or exclude.” “You shall all worship at Inari Shrine and determine life or death through drawn lots.” “Those who draw blank lots shall be exempted.” “Those who draw adjudication lots shall receive capital punishment.” “You will now approach the sacred presence,” he declared.

The twenty-five men descended from the palace and proceeded to Inari Shrine. Beneath the shrine bell sat Kominami holding the lots. To his right stood one inspector in attendance. At the front steps stood two lower inspectors holding a register. Several dozen paces before the shrine altar, artillery and infantry units from Kyoto stood arrayed in formation. At Kominami's instruction, the lower inspectors opened the register and read aloud each of the twenty-five names one by one. Thereupon each man stepped forward in turn, drew a lot, unfolded it to check, and handed it to the lower inspectors. The lower inspectors examined each one.

At this time, those who had come to worship initially wondered what was happening; when they gradually came to understand the meaning of the lot-drawing, they were all deeply moved, and some among them were weeping. Those who drew judgment lots were ten men from the 6th Squad: Sugimoto, Katsugase, Yamamoto, Morimoto, Kitadai, Inada, Yanase, Hashizume, Okazaki Eihee, and Kawatani; and six men from the 8th Squad: Takeuchi, Yokota Tatsugorō, Doi, Kakiuchi, Kaneda, and Takeuchi. This made sixteen in total. Adding the two captains and two squad leaders each brought the number to twenty. Those who drew white lots were five members from the 6th Squad starting with Okazaki Tashirō and four members from the 8th Squad starting with Sakata Jiemon.

Once the lot-drawing concluded and the group withdrew to the palace, four members of the white-lot group from the Eighth Squad—Sakata Jiemon, Nakajō, Yokota Seijirō, and Tamaru—submitted a jointly signed petition. Though divided through the lottery into two groups—those destined for life and death—we who had shared a single heart and purpose from the beginning hereby request to receive the same disposition as those who drew the judgment lots. The petition was rejected outright on grounds that the number had already been fixed.

The sixteen men of the so-called judgment lot group, along with Captains Minoura and Nishimura and Squad Leaders Ikegami and Ōishi, were to be assembled and detained at the main residence. The white-lot group were immediately discharged from military registry, entrusted to Tosa Domain soldiers, and placed in a separate room. Several days later, a decision was issued that the white-lot group would be dispatched from the Sakai area to their home province using a ship’s hold, accompanied by lower inspectors who returned with them to be entrusted to their respective relatives; it was soon notified that no further instructions would be issued henceforth.

When night fell, the judgment lot group all composed wills addressed to their parents, siblings, and other relatives back in their home province, cut off their topknots, wrapped them in the wills, and submitted them to the lower inspectors. At that moment, officers from the Fifth Squad guarding the domain residence came to bid farewell with food and drink. The captains, squad leaders, and sixteen soldiers were each separately entertained. The sixteen men all drank themselves into collapse.

Among them, Doi Hachinosuke of the Eighth Squad had been abstaining from drink alone, but upon seeing that the whole group had begun snoring, he suddenly shouted loudly. “Hey! Tomorrow’s an important day! How do you all plan to get yourselves killed? Is being beheaded good enough for you?”

Someone answered irritably. “Shut up. Sleep, since tomorrow’s an important day.”

Before this man's words had even fully ended, he began snoring again. Doi grabbed Sugimoto of the Sixth Squad by the shoulder and shook him awake.

“Hey! Even if those fools don’t get it, you should understand. How are you going to die tomorrow? Is being beheaded acceptable to you?”

Sugimoto sprang up. “Hmm. “A thought has struck me well. “This is an important matter. “Let us wake everyone.” The two men roused the entire group. For those who still would not wake, they grabbed shoulders and shook them about. The whole group awoke and heard the two men’s opinion. Not one failed to accept this with comprehension. They did not mind dying. They had been prepared for this since becoming soldiers and leaving their homeland. Yet they must not die in disgrace. Thus through unanimous council they resolved they must be granted seppuku.

The sixteen men put on their hakama trousers and donned haori jackets. Then they went to the attendants' office and said that as there was urgent business, they wished to request an audience with the magistrates.

The attendants went in and out of the inner room appearing to consult, but after some time answered. “Though this request comes from earnest intent, it cannot be granted.” “All of you are under confinement.” “Forcing your way in at night demanding to meet the magistrates is improper,” they declared. The sixteen men grew furious. “This is intolerable!” “What do you mean by ‘under confinement’?!” “We are men who will cast away our lives for the imperial nation tomorrow!” “If you won’t relay our request, we won’t beg.” “Step aside!” “We’ll pass through immediately!”

The group kicked up the tatami mats and attempted to proceed into the inner room. A voice came from the inner room.

“All of you, wait there for now. The executives will meet you,” they stated. The ones who slid open the fusuma and emerged were Kominami, Hayashi, and several lower inspectors. The group bowed, then Takeuchi spoke.

“We honor the imperial command and surrender our lives.” “However, our actions in Sakai were executed in accordance with our superiors’ orders.” “We do not acknowledge that as criminal conduct.” “Therefore, we cannot submit to being branded as criminals worthy of execution.” “If execution remains unavoidable, we demand to be formally informed of the charges warranting our death sentences.”

As he listened, wrinkles formed on Kominami's forehead. Kominami waited for Doi’s words to conclude, then glared at the group. “Silence! How could the authorities possibly execute those without guilt? The captain gave unreasonable orders, and you all engaged in unreasonable actions.” Takeuchi showed no sign of backing down. “Nay. I cannot accept those as the words of our Senior Inspector. When soldiers act according to their captain’s orders, there is no question of right or wrong. Because the captain gave the order to fire, we fired. If every time there was an order, each soldier stopped to consider right and wrong, wars couldn’t be fought.”

From behind Takeuchi, some began moving forward on their knees one by one.

“We are all convinced that our actions in Sakai brought merit and bore no crime.” “What crime do you consider this to correspond to?” “Please explain in more detail.” “We too find this impossible to comprehend.” “We too—” The entire group’s demeanor grew increasingly fierce. Kominami softened his expression.

“No—my previous words were a misspeaking. We shall deliberate first before giving our response, so wait here for now.”

Having said this, he rose and entered the inner room.

The group glared at the inner room and waited, but Kominami did not emerge for quite some time.

“What’s happening?” “Stay vigilant.” Such whispers circulated among those gathered.

After a considerable time had passed, Kominami emerged once more. And he spoke with an extremely solemn demeanor. "The petitions each of you presented have been conveyed to the lord's representative." "There will be an official pronouncement regarding this matter, so attend carefully." "In this incident, our lords have been plunged into profound grief." "Despite His Lordship's indisposition, he pressed through with his long hair still uncut to come to Osaka, immediately went to pay respects to the French warship, and then directly returned to his domain." "Is it not said that when the lord is dishonored, the vassal dies?" "After each of you has received the official pronouncement, it would be best to comport yourselves calmly as instructed." "The official pronouncement shall now commence." "Regarding this recent incident in Sakai, occurring as it does during this time of renewed diplomatic relations with foreign nations, the matter has been dealt with in accordance with public law." "Therefore, you are ordered to commit seppuku tomorrow in Sakai." "Each of you, knowing this is for the Imperial Nation, must graciously accept your fate." "Furthermore, since distinguished officials and the foreign envoy will be in attendance, prepare yourselves to demonstrate the Imperial Nation's martial spirit."

Kominami took out the edict and, while consulting it, proclaimed: When they spoke of "Lord Tosa," they specifically indicated Yamauchi Toyonori, the current lord of Tosa. The sixteen men exchanged glances and could not suppress faint smiles. Takeuchi answered on behalf of the group: "We humbly accept this gracious decree." "In relation to this matter, I earnestly wish to submit one additional petition." "Though this appeal should properly follow procedures through subordinate inspectors, given the presence of esteemed senior officials at this momentous occasion, I shall state it directly as a testament to our final hours." "From this official pronouncement, we understand our humble intentions have been duly considered by those in authority." "If this holds true, we most respectfully implore you to grant our collective plea for samurai status henceforth - a matter bearing the solemn weight of our dying wishes."

Kominami thought for a moment before speaking. "Since you have been ordered to commit seppuku, I find this request reasonable on its face." "We shall deliberate and render an official judgment, so wait here for now."

Having said this, he rose from his seat once more.

After another long while had passed, this time the Lower Inspector emerged and said: “Through extraordinary deliberation, you are all hereby ordered to be accorded samurai status.” “Accordingly, one set of silk garments shall be issued to each of you.”

Having said this, he handed over the inventory list. As the group received the inventory and withdrew, they stopped by the captains' and squad leaders' quarters to report that night's outcome. The captains too, having been treated to a feast by the security force officers and sunk into a pleasant drunken slumber, immediately rose to meet them when their subordinates arrived in full force. The sixteen men had not had a single opportunity to meet with the captains and squad leaders since being separated from them until that night, but through the efficacy of their discussion with the senior inspector - whereby they had been permitted to commit seppuku and elevated to samurai status - they were now able to visit openly, as no one interfered with their movements.

The captains and squad leaders heard their subordinates’ account and felt both joy and sorrow. Their sorrow stemmed from having prepared themselves for death without being informed of the French envoy’s demand for twenty executions; thus they grieved upon first learning of the sixteen men’s fate. Their joy came from the sixteen men being granted permission for seppuku and elevation to samurai status. Since night still lingered before dawn, the four captains and squad leaders proposed taking a brief rest with their sixteen subordinates before rising; thus they parted amicably and retired to their beds.

The 23rd was a clear day. From Kumamoto Domain under Hosokawa Etchū-no-kami Yoshinobu and Hiroshima Domain under Asano Aki-no-kami Shigenaga—both ordered to escort the twenty men bound for Sakai—over three hundred infantrymen were dispatched, arriving at the Nagahori Tosa Domain residence before dawn. Within the residence, food and drink were bestowed upon the twenty men. The captains and squad leaders mostly wore newly tailored formal attire, while the remaining sixteen donned the silk garments received the previous night. Swords were not distributed within the residence. They were to be issued at the site of seppuku.

When the group clattered out through the mansion's entrance in their high wooden clogs, twenty palanquins prepared by the Hosokawa and Asano families were set down. They bowed once and boarded them. The procession coordinators organized the procession. The vanguard consisted of several lower-ranking officials from both domains, followed next by several soldiers. Next came three individuals: Hosokawa Domain's caretaker Baba Hikobei, the same domain's Captain Yamagawa Kameitarō, and Asano Domain's executive Watanabe Kyō. They wore campaign hats and short hakama, mounted on horses with their spears held upright. Next, several soldiers proceeded. Next came two cannons being pulled along. Next came twenty palanquins. For each palanquin, six soldiers carrying bayonet-fitted rifles accompanied it. The front and rear of the twenty palanquins were surrounded by one hundred twenty soldiers likewise carrying bayonet-fitted rifles. The rear guard consisted of two cavalrymen carrying rifles. Next came ten tall paper lanterns each from both domains. Next came over a hundred soldiers from both domains. Keeping some distance behind the aforementioned procession, hundreds of people—beginning with Tosa Domain's senior retainers—followed. The procession measured approximately five chō in total length.

After departing Nagahori and proceeding some distance, Yamagawa Kameitarō went to each palanquin to greet each person individually, then returned to Minoura’s palanquin and said this.

“In this narrow palanquin, it must be rather cramped,” he said. “Moreover, given the long journey ahead, keeping the blinds lowered would likely feel oppressive. Shall I have the blinds rolled up?”

"I am profoundly grateful for your kindness." "If it presents no hindrance, let it be done thus," replied Minoura.

Thereupon, all the palanquin blinds were rolled up. After proceeding a while longer, Yamagawa approached each palanquin one by one,

“As we have prepared tea and sweets, we would like to offer them to those who wish.”

The treatment of the twenty men by both domains was extremely deferential in all matters. When they came to the vicinity of Sumiyoshi Shinkeimachi—where the Sixth and Eighth Squads had once been billeted—there were those who waited by the roadside to bid farewell. When they entered the town of Sakai, crowds had formed along both sides of the road, from which frequent sobs and lamentations could be heard. Some broke away from the crowd and rushed toward the palanquins, only to be reprimanded by the guards.

The place designated for seppuku was Myokokuji Temple. At the temple gate hung curtains bearing the Imperial Chrysanthemum Crest; throughout the temple grounds, curtains dyed with the crests of both the Hosokawa and Asano families were drawn around; and the seppuku site was enclosed by curtains emblazoned with the Yamauchi family crest. Inside the tent erected within the gate, new mats were laid out.

When the procession arrived at Myokokuji Temple's gate, they carried the palanquins into the tent within the gate and lined them up on the mats. Next, guided by retainers from both domains, the palanquins were carried into the inner garden and positioned along the edge of the main hall. The twenty men exited the palanquins and formed ranks in the main hall. Around the seating area, several hundred soldiers from both domains stood guard; whenever one man among the twenty rose from his seat, four would immediately surround him. The twenty men continued talking and laughing in their usual manner as they waited for the appointed hour to arrive.

At this time, among the retainers of both domains, there was one who had prepared a writing brush, paper, and ink. This person came before Minoura, who was at the head of the twenty men, and requested that he write something as a memento for posterity.

Minoura Inokichi, former captain of the 6th Infantry Squad, was of the Minamoto clan; his personal name was Mototada, and he styled himself Senzan. He was born on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of Kōka 1 (1844), into an attendant-class household residing in Shioe Village, Tosa District, Tosa Province, that received five men's stipends and fifteen koku. He was twenty-five years old at the time. His grandfather was Tadahei; his father was called Manjirō. His mother was from the Yoda clan; her name was Ume. In Ansei 4 (1857), he studied in Edo; in Man'en 1 (1860), he became an academic tutor to Lord Yōdō in Edo, and in the same year returned home to be appointed assistant instructor at the Bunkan. He then served as an attendant to Lord Yōdō, spent seven or eight years in this role, and advanced to the horse guard rank. He was appointed commander of the domain’s infantry squad in November of Keiō 3 (1867), and within just three months of service, the Sakai Incident occurred. Given this background, Minoura possessed both a refined taste for poetry and considerable skill in cursive calligraphy.

When writing implements were placed before him, Minoura, "I must apologize for its unsightly appearance," he said by way of greeting, and wrote a seven-character quatrain from his drafted thoughts: "By dispelling evil omens, I repay my country's grace. Resolutely—how could I heed others’ words? May only this great righteousness be transmitted through a thousand ages, For a single death was never worth debate." Expelling foreigners remained this man's true calling. As the twenty men waited for some time, a Hosokawa retainer said that the appointed time still did not seem near. It was thus decided that they would tour the temple grounds. When they went out into the garden and looked, the inside and outside of Myokokuji Temple were in tremendous commotion. Spectators from Sakai City proper, Osaka, Sumiyoshi, Kawachi, and elsewhere had crowded in, and no matter how they were controlled, they would not leave. Several temple monks had climbed the bell tower and were watching this crowd. Kakuchi of the Eighth Squad noticed this, quickly climbed up to the bell tower, and said to the monks.

“Reverend Monks, please step back slightly. I am one who will commit seppuku and die today. Among our ranks, there are those who compose farewell poems and such, but such skilled matters are beyond my ability. Therefore, as my farewell to this world, I would like to strike that great bell.” With a “Hya!”, he rolled up his sleeves and seized the bell hammer. The monks, startled, grabbed at him from both sides. “Now, now, please wait a moment. If the bell were to ring amidst this crowd, there’s no telling what kind of commotion might ensue. Please, I beg you to spare us that at least.”

“No—this shall stand as commemoration for samurai who die loyally for the nation!” “Do not restrain me!”

Kakuchi and the monks were struggling with each other. Seeing this, two or three attendants rushed to Kakuchi's side. "To behave so childishly with such an important matter at hand—that's most unbecoming," they said. "What purpose does ringing bells and startling people serve? Consider this carefully," they admonished while restraining him. "I see," Kakuchi replied. "I let momentary excitement lead me into a meaningless scuffle." He withdrew his hand from the bell hammer, repeating, "I'll stop, I'll stop." One attendant who had been restraining Kakuchi reached into his robe. "Here's some money—it'll be useless to me soon anyway," he said, handing coins to the monks. "I offer it to you reverends who'll tend to my remains." As word of Kakuchi's dispute with the monks spread, more attendants gradually gathered around.

“Here’s some here.” “Here as well,” they said while taking out whatever money they had and placing it all before the monks. Among them, “I do not pray for my own peaceful rest,” with some attaching conditions as they did so. The monks received the money and descended from the bell tower. The people descended from the bell tower,

“Well then, shall we take a look at the seppuku site now?” they said, starting to enter the curtained enclosure. Hosokawa domain’s guards said, “It would be better if you did not approach,” and restrained them.

“No need for concern—we will absolutely not cause any trouble,” they declared, and the group entered the curtained enclosure.

The location was the broad garden in front of the main hall. Within curtains dyed with the Yamauchi family crest, four bamboo poles had been erected, with thatch laid over them. On the ground, two rough mats had been placed, upon which two new tatami mats were laid reversed, covered with white cotton cloth, and further overlaid with a single woolen carpet. Beside them, woolen carpets were piled up still folded, likely to be replaced one by one for each person. Beside the entrance was a table on which several sets of long and short swords had been placed. When they approached and looked, these were the long and short swords that had been confiscated at the Nagabori residence.

The group exited the seppuku site and, taking the opportunity to also view Hōshuin’s grave pits, set out together. There were two rows of holes dug there. In front of the holes were large jars over six shaku in height lined up. Moreover, on each of them, names were written and pasted. While reading through them, Yokota said to Doi: “You and I shared our meals and sleep in life, and look—our jars are lined up side by side too.” “Even after death, it seems we’ll be neighbors who can chat,” he said.

Doi suddenly leapt into the jar and shouted. “Yokota-kunnnn!” “This works out rather nicely!” Takeuchi said. “You’re a hasty one. There’s no need to rush—they’ll put you in soon enough. Come out quickly.”

Doi tried to climb out of the jar, but unlike when he had entered, the rim was high and the interior slippery—he couldn't get out easily. Yokota and Takeuchi toppled the jar sideways and pulled Doi out.

The twenty men returned to the main hall. There lay food and drink prepared by both Hosokawa and Asano domains. Dozens of helpers from the town had arrived to serve. The group exchanged formal greetings and raised their cups. Envious of those who had received poems from Minoura earlier, soldiers from both domains vied to request verses or ask for personal belongings as mementos. They took up the writing brush in turns. Having nothing else to leave behind, they cut off their collars and sleeves. The ritual suicide was finally scheduled to commence at noon.

The assistants in seppuku were first to take their positions inside the curtained enclosure. This arrangement had been decided through mutual consultation the previous evening when guards at the domain residence in Nagabori, Osaka, hosted a feast for the twenty men. The names of these assistants were: from the former 6th Squad - Minoura's assistant Maboroshi (Maba) Tōtarō, Ikeue's Kitakawa Reihē, Sugimoto's Ike Shichisuke, Katsuragase's Yoshimura Zaikichi, Yamamoto's Mori Tsunema, Morimoto's Noguchi Kikuma, Kitadai's Takechi Sukeago, Inada's Ebara Gennosuke, Yanase's Kondō Shigenosuke, Hashizume's Yamada Yasunosuke, Okazaki's Tsuchikata Yōgorō, Kawatani's Takemoto Kensuke; from the former 8th Squad - Nishimura's Kosaka Ken, Ōishi's Ochiai Genroku, Takeuchi's Kusunose Ryūhē, Yokota's Matsuda Hachihēji, Doi's Ike Shichisuke, Kakuchi's Kōbun Sahē, Kaneda's Tanigawa Shinji, Takeuchi's Kitamori Nenkinosuke. Among these, Ike Shichisuke was designated to assist both Sugimoto and Doi. Each had tied their sword cords as sashes and waited behind the seppuku seating.

Outside the curtains, twenty palanquins were separately arranged. This was for loading the corpses and transporting them to Hōshuin. Before burial, the corpses were to be transferred from the palanquins to large jars.

At the inspection seats, beginning with Foreign Affairs Director-General Prince Yamashina, Major General Date of the Foreign Affairs Bureau, Major General Higashikuze of the same bureau, and executives from both Hosokawa and Asano domains were seated on camp stools facing from south to north. Fukao of Tosa Domain sat facing southeast from the north. Senior Inspector Kominami and the inspectors under him lined up facing east from the northwest. The French envoy, accompanied by over twenty soldiers carrying rifles, sat facing east from the west side of the front. Officials from other domains such as Satsuma, Nagato, Inaba, and Bizen were also in attendance.

Hosokawa and Asano retainers informed the twenty men that preparations were complete. The twenty men transferred from the veranda of the main hall into the palanquins. On both sides of the palanquins, the same guards as during the journey were attached. The palanquins were positioned outside the curtains. The summoning official unfurled the roster and was about to call out the name of the first in rank. At that moment, the sky suddenly clouded over, and a heavy rain began to pour down. The people filling the temple grounds and surrounding areas stirred into commotion and attempted to rush toward the shelter of eaves and tree shade. It was utter chaos.

The seppuku was temporarily postponed, and beginning with Prince Yamashina, the entire group took shelter from the rain indoors. The rain ceased at the Hour of the Sheep. Preparations were once again completed by the Hour of the Monkey.

The summoning official read out, “Minoura Inokichi.” The temple grounds, inside and out, fell as silent as still water. Minoura wore a black woolen haori and hakama and took his seat for seppuku. The assistant in seppuku, Baba, stood three shaku behind. Minoura, having bowed to the Prince Director-General and other officials, pulled closer the unpainted square wooden tray presented by an attendant and took the dagger in his right hand. A thunderous voice resounded.

“Frenchmen, listen! I will not die for your sake. I will die for the imperial nation. Bear witness to the seppuku of Japanese men!” he declared.

Minoura loosened his garments, gripped the dagger in a reverse grip, plunged it deep into his left flank, cut downward three inches, dragged it across to the right, then sliced upward another three inches. Because the blade had penetrated deeply, the wound gaped wide. Minoura discarded the dagger, inserted his right hand into the wound, grabbed the omentum and pulled it out while glaring at the Frenchmen.

Baba drew his sword and cut the nape in one stroke, but it was shallow. “Baba. What’s wrong? Do it calmly!” Minoura shouted. Baba’s second strike severed the cervical vertebrae with a sharp crack. Minoura let out another loud voice, “I’m not dead yet! Cut deeper!” he shouted. This voice was louder than before and resounded about three blocks away. The French envoy, who had been watching Minoura’s behavior from the beginning, was gradually overcome by shock and terror. The French envoy, who had already grown restless in his seat upon hearing this unexpectedly loud voice at such an unexpected moment, finally rose to his feet, uncertain where to place his hands and feet.

On the third attempt, Baba finally severed Minoura's head.

Next to be called was Nishimura, a mild-mannered man. His family name was Minamoto, given name Ujidō. He resided in Enokuchi Village of Tosa District. A horse guard with a stipend of forty koku, he had been born in July of Kōka 2 (1845) and turned twenty-four that year. He had been appointed infantry platoon commander in August of Keiō 3 (1867). Nishimura donned his military uniform and took his seat for seppuku, carefully undoing each button and fastening of his garments one by one. He took the dagger, thrust it into his left side, pulled slightly rightward, then—apparently judging the cut too shallow—plunged it deeper and slowly drew it across to the right. Kosaka, serving as his second, seemed slightly flustered and struck from behind while Nishimura still pulled the blade. The head flew nearly six meters.

Next was Ikegami; Kitagawa served as his second. The next, Ōishi, was a strikingly large man. First, he stroked his abdomen two or three times with both hands. Then he took the sword, stabbed it into his left flank with his right hand, pressed the back of the blade with his left hand to cut downward, added his left hand to his right to draw the sword across to the right flank, and when it reached there, pressed the blade again with his left hand to cut upward. Then he placed the sword by his side, spread both hands, and shouted, "I leave the rest to you!" Ochiai, the assistant in seppuku, failed in his attempts and only succeeded in severing the head on the seventh stroke. The movement of the seppuku sword was smooth and without hesitation; the one who performed with the most skillful execution was this Ōishi.

Following this, Sugimoto, Katsuragase, Yamamoto, Morimoto, Kitashiro, Inada, and Yanase performed seppuku in that order. Among them, Yanase first drew his sword from left to right across his abdomen, then pulled it back again from right to left, causing his intestines to spill out from the wound.

Next was the twelfth person, Hashizume. By the time Hashizume emerged and took his seat, the surroundings had already grown dark, and lamps were lit in the main hall.

The French envoy had been unable to contain his anxiety all this while, repeatedly standing up and sitting back down. This anxiety gradually spread to the soldiers standing with rifles at the ready. Their postures completely collapsed, and they began gesticulating while whispering among themselves about something. Just as Hashizume took his seat for seppuku, when the envoy uttered some words, the soldiers surrounded him and withdrew from the inspection area. Without so much as a nod to our imperial family members and officials, they hurriedly exited beyond the curtains. Now, having crossed the garden, no sooner had they exited the temple gate than the soldiers surrounding the envoy broke into a gallop and raced toward the port.

At the seppuku site, Hashizume loosened his garments and attempted to position the dagger against his abdomen. At that moment, officials rushed over and shouted, “Wait!” To Hashizume, who had stopped his hand in surprise, the officials explained about the French envoy’s withdrawal from the proceedings and said they wished him to temporarily refrain from performing seppuku. Hashizume returned to where the eight who remained behind were and explained the details. If they were to die, all nine men were now governed by the passion of wanting to perish in a single decisive act. They felt frustrated at being stopped and wanted to lunge at those who had stopped them to say something. They wanted to demand an explanation. The group went to Kominami’s waiting room, and Hashizume spoke up.

“Why was our seppuku by imperial command halted?” “We have come to receive that explanation.”

Kominami answered.

“Your doubt is indeed reasonable for now,” Kominami answered, “but Frenchmen were supposed to attend the seppuku.” “Since they have withdrawn,” he continued, “we had no choice but to halt [the proceedings].” “At this very moment,” he added, “the chief retainers of seven domains—Satsuma, Nagato, Inaba, Bizen, Higo, and Aki—have gone to the French warship.” “For now,” he concluded, “return to your original seats and await further instructions.”

The nine had no choice but to withdraw to the main hall. Retainers from both Hosokawa and Asano domains served the evening meal and forced those who claimed to have no appetite to take up their chopsticks, then provided bedding and made them lie down on their pillows. Around midnight, retainers from both domains came and informed them that the chief retainers of seven domains would now be attending. The nine men sprang to their feet and greeted them. When three of the seven chief retainers leaned forward and they listened to them taking turns speaking, it was generally as follows. We went to the French warship and questioned their reason for withdrawing. However, the French envoy stated that while he was impressed by the Tosa people’s disregard for their lives in devotion to public duty, he could not bear to witness such a harrowing spectacle any longer and would therefore petition the Japanese government to spare the remaining men. Tomorrow morning, it was expected that the imperial decree would be received via Major General Date. All were to refrain from rash actions and await further imperial decree as instructed. The nine men respectfully complied.

After a day's interval on the 25th, retainers from both domains came and informed them that the nine men would be withdrawing to Osaka, and that Hashizume, Okazaki, and Kawadani of the 6th Squad would be placed in the custody of Aki Domain, while Takeuchi, Yokota, Doi, Kaito, Kaneda, and Takeuchi of the 8th Squad would be placed in the custody of Higo Domain. Nine palanquins were carried and placed in the temple's spacious garden. As the group was about to board the palanquins, Hashizume bit off his own tongue, blood streaming from his mouth as he collapsed. He regretted that a complication had arisen when it came to his turn after his colleagues had died honorably. Fortunately, the tongue wound was not severe enough to endanger his life, but the Asano retainers, wishing to depart for Osaka before another incident could occur, hastened the palanquins carrying Hashizume and the two others as if in a swift pursuit. The Hosokawa retainers called out and attempted to slow the pace, but the Asano retainers paid no heed. Finally, even the Hosokawa retainers broke into a run.

When they arrived in Osaka, the nine palanquins were temporarily halted before the Tosa Domain residence in Nagahori. Kominami came out to the gate and admonished Hashizume. From there, the retainers from both domains split up and each took back those who had been entrusted to them. A doctor was assigned to Hashizume, and a nurse from the Tosa Domain was provided. The nine men were treated very hospitably by both the Hosokawa and Asano families. Among them, the Hosokawa family declared that this marked their third honorable duty—having taken custody of the Akō rōnin during the Genroku era and the Mito rōnin who assassinated Ii Kamon-no-kami in the first year of Man'en—and treated them with care piled upon care. They handed over newly tailored striped lined garments as sleepwear. The bedding consisted of three futons, and foot soldiers laid out the tatami mats. Baths were prepared every other day. They handed over hand towels and white paper. For all three daily meals, a grilled dish was always served, and the captain performed poison checks. In the afternoon, they served tea with multi-tiered boxes of confections. Fruit was occasionally served. For daily necessities, two or three foot soldiers were stationed on the veranda. The ladle for handwashing was handled by foot soldiers. At night, a night watch was assigned. Those who came to pay their respects would press their foreheads to the veranda boards. They lent them books to read. When ill, they would send a doctor to compound and decoct the medicine right before their eyes. Such was the general nature of their treatment.

On March 2nd, an order was issued exempting them from the death penalty and sending them back to their home province. On the 3rd, captains from Tosa Domain led soldiers and made rounds to retrieve the nine men from both Hosokawa and Asano domains. Both domains hosted farewell banquets with two-course meals of seven dishes each and lamented their parting. On the 14th, the nine men were accompanied by one lower inspector and two overseers, boarded a boat from Kizugawauchi, set sail from Senbonmatsu on the 15th, and arrived at Urado Port in the dead of night on the 16th. On the 17th, as they headed toward Minami Kaisho, the road from Matsuga-hana west to Obiya-chō was filled with crowds who had come to see those involved in the Sakai Incident. At Minami Kaisho, the lower inspector handed over the nine men to the custodial officials, who received them and entrusted each to their respective relatives. The nine men at this time had a long-awaited meeting with the parents, wives, and children to whom they had previously sent farewell letters and locks of hair.

On May 20th, a summons came from Minami Kaisho to the nine men. It was stated that the individuals themselves were to appear at the Hour of the Snake [9-11 AM], while those with living fathers or sons must have said fathers or sons present by half-past the Hour of the Snake [~10 AM]. At Minami Kaisho, inspectors presided as a lower-ranking official proclaimed three articles. Their rice stipends would be revoked and exile imposed west of Kawakami River. First: They might present themselves wearing hakama and swords. Second: Those with biological sons would have them conscripted as soldiers while receiving two fuchi stipends and four koku of rice. Third: Those without sons would receive two fuchi as assistants in exile, provisions distributed from Hata Nakamura's storehouse. The nine men conferred before making their appeal through Hashizume: "We sought death for our nation at French demand." "Thus were we granted seppuku with samurai honors." "When the French then begged mercy, death was stayed." "Being innocent, samurai status should yet be ours." "Why then this exile? Without reason given, we cannot comply." The inspector responded with visible discomfort. Their distrust reached its zenith. "Consider this exile an honorable measure matching eleven comrades' agony." They urged reluctant acceptance. The nine men smiled bitterly. "The eleven's fate weighs daily on our hearts." "If deemed equivalent suffering... we've no words left."

“We all accept,” they declared.

The nine men departed as exiles in an unprecedented attire of hakama and swords, but due to prolonged confinement that had left their bodies weakened, upon reaching Asakura Village in Tosa District, the group complained of foot pain and rode palanquins. The place of exile was Hata District's Irida Village. Through the arrangements of village headman Uga Sukenosuke, the nine were initially divided and placed one by one into farmhouses, but after several days, eight were made to lodge together in a vacant house. Yokota alone was taken in by the priest of Hokkeshū Shinshōji Temple in Arioka Village, located three ri to the west, due to a secular connection.

The nine men held a memorial service at Shinshōji Temple for their eleven colleagues who had died at Myokokuji Temple and, from the following day, began providing the villagers with literary and military education. Takeuchi taught the basic recitation of the Four Books; Doi and Takeuchi instructed in swordsmanship; and the others each instructed various arts as they saw fit.

Irida Village was a land where epidemics prevailed from summer through autumn. When August arrived, Kawatani, Yokota, and Doi developed fevers. Doi's wife rushed day and night from Yasu Village in Kami District to nurse him. Yokota’s son Tsunejirou, because his mother was ill, though just a nine-year-old boy, walked thirty ri alone to come and care for his father. While these two gradually recovered, Kawatani alone fell ill and succumbed to illness on September 4th at twenty-six years of age.

On November 17th, the inspectorate issued a summons to Hashizume and eight others. The eight survivors bid farewell at Kawatani’s grave, departed from Irida Village, and arrived in Kōchi on the 27th. When they immediately reported to the inspector’s office, a notification was delivered through individual documents: “As this coincides with the Imperial Accession Ceremony, you are graciously permitted to return to residence. Furthermore, each soldier’s father is instructed that his previous years of service shall be counted continuously.” This occurred because the eight men had received a special pardon due to Emperor Meiji’s accession on August 27th; these soldiers were ordinary rank-and-file troops. No official decision ever came regarding their treatment as samurai.

For the eleven men who died at Myokokuji Temple, Tosa Domain erected eleven stone monuments at Hōjuin. The monuments stood in a row from Minoura at the head to Yanase. Behind the main hall of Hōjuin Temple, under the eaves, nine large jars were laid upside down on cut stones. These were the relics of the nine men who had been meant to be placed within but were not. In Sakai, those who made pilgrimages never ceased, calling the eleven stone monuments "Honorable Regret Stones" and the nine jars "Life Fortune Jars." Among the eleven, Minoura had no male heir, so his family line was temporarily severed; however, on March 8, 1870, authorities had Kusukichi—the second son of Minoura Kōzō, a man of the same surname—continue the family name, appointing him to a third-class lower rank with a stipend of seven koku and three to of rice. Subsequently, at Kōzō’s request, Inokichi’s daughter was arranged to marry Kusukichi.

Nishimura's father Kiyozaemon had died early, and since his grandfather Katsuhei was still alive, the family headship was restored to his grandfather. Later, an adopted son came from the Kakei clan relatives. The children of corporals and lower-ranking soldiers, even when young, were typically enlisted by soldiers and performed duties once grown.