【Biography】Sakamoto Ryoma - The Restoration Hero Who Opened the Meiji Era -

Introducing the biography of Sakamoto Ryoma from the happiness science pamphlet Monthly 'Hermes Angels' No. 262 open_in_new that can be learned by parents and children.

Sakamoto Ryoma (さかもとりょうま) (1835-1867)
The Restoration hero who opened the Meiji era

Sakamoto Ryoma was born in the Tosa domain (Kochi Prefecture). He was called "Crying Ryoma" when he was small, but from the age of 18, he mastered swordsmanship at a famous dojo in Edo and grew strong.

In 1853, the American fleet, the "Black Ships," suddenly appeared in Uraga and said, "If you do not comply with our demands, we will go to war." This caused a great uproar throughout Japan.

"What a big ship! Japan needs more power to fight against foreign countries."

Ryoma thought when he saw the Black Ships.

Ryoma gradually began to think about "Japan's future" and "the world." He went around listening to people who knew a lot about foreign countries, and then he arrived at a single idea.

"In the current Japan, we cannot compete with foreign countries at all. To protect Japan, we must create a new government and make Japan strong!"

Ryoma and his companions thought further.

"If the strongest Satsuma domain (Kagoshima Prefecture) and Choshu domain (Yamaguchi Prefecture) cooperate, we might be able to overthrow the shogunate!"

Although Satsuma and Choshu were in a hostile relationship, Ryoma did not give up.

In 1866, Ryoma's persuasion bore fruit, and Satsuma and Choshu decided to cooperate. This became a significant trigger for the shogunate to announce the "Taisei Hokan," returning political power to the emperor. The Edo period ended, and the new Meiji era began.

One month later, Ryoma was assassinated at the age of 33, but his activities dedicated to Japan are still passionately passed down.

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