50 Facts About Iwakura Tomomi

Iwakura Tomomi was a Japanese statesman during the Bakumatsu and Meiji period.

Iwakura Tomomi was one of the leading figures of the Meiji Restoration, which saw Japan's transition from feudalism to modernism.

Iwakura Tomomi played a central role in the new Meiji government after 1868.

Iwakura Tomomi successfully opposed aggressive policies in Korea in the crisis of 1873, and was nearly assassinated by his enemies.

Iwakura Tomomi led the 50-member Iwakura Mission for 18 months in Europe and America, studying modern institutions, technology, and diplomacy.

Iwakura Tomomi promoted a strong imperial system along Western lines, and played a central role in creating financial institutions for the nation.

Iwakura Tomomi was born in Kyoto, the second son of low-ranking courtier and nobleman, Horikawa Yasuchika.

Confucian scholar Fusehara Nobuharu taught him Confucianism from childhood and suggested that Iwakura Tomomi Tomoyasu adopt Kanemaru as his child.

In contrast, the Iwakura Tomomi house had only become independent from the Koga house in the early Edo period.

Iwakura Tomomi once showed his daring and disregard for the old customs of the nobility by making his home available as a gambling house in order to earn money.

Iwakura Tomomi was trained by the kampaku Takatsukasa Masamichi and wrote the opinion for the imperial Court reformation, arguing that the reserve fund should be used to expand and reform Gakushuin, and that promotion should be based on merit.

When Hotta Masayoshi, a Roju of the Tokugawa government came to Kyoto to obtain imperial permission to sign the Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1858, Iwakura Tomomi gathered courtiers who opposed the treaty and attempted to hinder negotiations between the Shogun and the Court.

Iwakura Tomomi wanted to prevent the treaty of Amity and Commerce, so he decided to use an unusual method.

Two days later of the incident, Iwakura Tomomi wrote a political written opinion.

Iwakura Tomomi made an effort to find a way to settle peacefully.

At that time, the emperor Komei demanded an opinion of Iwakura Tomomi, because he knew that Iwakura Tomomi was a talented person.

Iwakura Tomomi suggested that the emperor should let the shogunate promise the executing of the treaty withdrawal and allow the marriage of Kazunomiya and Iemochi.

Emperor Komei claimed that Iwakura Tomomi was innocent, but could not stop people who supported radical Sonno joi.

Iwakura Tomomi decided to hide upon receiving a threatening message from Takechi Hanpeita from Tosa clans that if Iwakura Tomomi did not leave the urban area of Kyoto, he would be exposed to Shijokawara, which meant his death.

Iwakura Tomomi started to live in the Reigenji-temple in Nishigamo, where a grave of Iwakura ancestor was.

In Iwakura Tomomi he wrote many opinions and sent them to the Court or his political companions in Satsuma Domain.

Iwakura Tomomi used this title to compare himself to an insect in the grasses.

Iwakura Tomomi claimed the importance of national unity for external crises.

Iwakura Tomomi relied on Satsuma clans because he found that they were capable people.

Also, people from Satsuma clans had connections with the imperial court, so Iwakura Tomomi tried to get them to send his written opinions to the imperial court.

Iwakura Tomomi was away from politics because of the penalty, so there was a difference between the Iwakura Tomomi's thoughts and the actual political situation.

In 1866 when Shogun Iemochi died, Iwakura Tomomi attempted to have the Court seize political initiative.

Iwakura Tomomi tried to gather daimyo under the name of the Court but failed.

Iwakura Tomomi commissioned Imperial banners with the sun and moon on a red field, which helped ensure that the encounters of the Meiji Restoration were generally bloodless affairs.

Iwakura Tomomi was largely responsible for the promulgation of the Five Charter Oath of 1868, and the subject abolition of the han system.

American newspapers reported that a visit by Iwakura Tomomi was as important as a visit by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Iwakura Tomomi failed when he discussed the revision of the unequal treaty with the US president.

The US president pointed out that Iwakura Tomomi did not have a commission of full powers.

Iwakura Tomomi opposed the dispatch because Japan faced foreign issues concerning Karafuto and Taiwan.

Also, Iwakura Tomomi wanted to prevent the dispatch of Saigo to avoid foreign wars.

Ultimately, Iwakura Tomomi chose Ito and the German model as the basis for Japan's constitution.

On 19 April 1876, Iwakura Tomomi became the director of the Peerage Hall.

However, the nobility that Iwakura Tomomi had in mind was a European-style aristocracy whose mission was solely to support the imperial family.

Iwakura Tomomi ordered Inoue Kowashi to begin work on a constitution in late June 1881, and ordered Ito Hirobumi to Europe to study various European systems.

Also, Iwakura Tomomi wanted to cherish the Japanese tradition and emperor system.

However, Iwakura Tomomi himself was unable to witness Ito Hirobumi's return to Japan or the enactment of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan.

The Meiji Emperor sent his personal physician, Erwin Balz, to examine Iwakura Tomomi; Baelz diagnosed advanced throat cancer.

Iwakura Tomomi died the following day at the age of 57, and was given a state funeral, the first ever given by the imperial government.

Iwakura Tomomi was born in poverty, and he lived a simple life.

Iwakura Tomomi used to like Japanese sake and drank around 90 ml, three times a day.

Iwakura Tomomi was very particular about what to eat, and was fond of eating fish, meat, and vegetables, rather than beef and chicken.

Iwakura Tomomi liked the cuisine of Kyoto, and turtle cuisine was one of his favorites.

Iwakura Tomomi was an open-minded person who put himself in the other person's shoes before forming any opinion.

Iwakura Tomomi had a wife, named Mineko, but she died on October 24,1874.

Iwakura Tomomi is an ancestor to actor Ken Uehara, singer Yuzo Kayama, and actress Emi Ikehata.