Japan Execution of Shimadzu Seiji 1865 vintage print murderer of UK citizens

Description: Vintage Print: The Execution of Shimadzu Seiji Year of Publication: 1865 The Illustrated London News Size: 15.5" x 11" 39 cm x 28 cm Condition: normal aging (see pictures) The execution of Shimadzu Seiji for the murder of Major Baldwin and Lieutenant Bird in 1865—centers on a lesser-known, but historically significant, episode involving tensions between Japan and foreign nationals during the late Tokugawa period. This period saw increasing contact between Japan and Western nations, leading to a series of violent incidents.Background: Foreigners in Japan and Rising TensionsBy the 1860s, Japan was in a state of political and social upheaval. The Tokugawa shogunate was struggling to maintain power, and various domains were caught between loyalty to the shogunate and increasing calls to restore power to the Emperor, leading to the Meiji Restoration in 1868.During this time, Japan was also grappling with foreign powers following the forced opening of the country by Commodore Matthew Perry in 1853 and the subsequent treaties that allowed foreign nationals to live and trade in Japan. Anti-foreign sentiment, particularly among certain samurai factions, was strong, with many advocating for sonnō jōi ("revere the Emperor, expel the barbarians").This anti-foreign sentiment was a key factor in several incidents, including the Namamugi Incident (1862) and other attacks on foreigners. One such incident occurred in 1865, involving the murders of Major Henry Baldwin and Lieutenant Robert Bird, two British officers.The Murder of Major Baldwin and Lieutenant Bird (1865)In August 1865, Major Henry Baldwin and Lieutenant Robert Bird, both British officers stationed in Yokohama, were attacked and murdered while traveling in the vicinity of Tosa Domain (modern-day Kochi Prefecture). These murders occurred amidst increasing hostility towards foreigners, driven by xenophobic factions within the samurai class.The attack was attributed to Shimadzu Seiji, a samurai who was reportedly influenced by the anti-foreign, nationalist fervor of the time. His motivation for killing the two British officers aligned with the ideology of those who sought to resist foreign influence and involvement in Japan.Response and Execution of Shimadzu SeijiThe murder of British officers by a samurai had serious diplomatic implications for Japan, especially given the fragile relationship between Japan and foreign powers. The British government, already concerned with previous violent incidents such as the Namamugi Incident and the Bombardment of Kagoshima, demanded swift justice.To avoid another conflict with a foreign power, the Japanese authorities acted quickly. The Tokugawa shogunate, along with local domain leaders, worked to apprehend those responsible for the murders.Shimadzu Seiji was arrested and found guilty of the murders. Recognizing the gravity of the crime and the potential consequences for Japan’s international relations, Seiji was executed in 1865 as a way to appease the British and demonstrate Japan’s willingness to cooperate with foreign governments in maintaining order and law.Impact on Japanese-Foreign RelationsThe execution of Shimadzu Seiji was part of a broader effort by the shogunate to maintain fragile relations with Western powers, which were critical for Japan’s modernization and diplomacy. The execution served as a signal to foreign nations that Japan was willing to impose strict penalties on those who violated treaties or engaged in violence against foreigners, even as internal turmoil continued.However, incidents like this one reflected the deepening divide in Japan at the time. While the shogunate and progressive domains sought to accommodate foreign powers, other factions—especially discontented samurai—continued to resist, eventually contributing to the downfall of the Tokugawa shogunate and the rise of Imperial power during the Meiji Restoration.ConclusionThe execution of Shimadzu Seiji for the murder of Major Baldwin and Lieutenant Bird in 1865 highlights the complex and often violent interactions between Japan and foreign powers during the late Tokugawa period. This period was marked by internal struggles over how to deal with foreign influence, which would eventually lead to the restoration of the Emperor and the rapid modernization of Japan in the following decades.

Price: 24.99 USD

Location: Montrose, California

End Time: 2024-11-23T18:03:39.000Z

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