Shogun Quotes
He conquered Korea in an act of blatant aggression, but got bogged down in a complicated occupation. He died before the Chinese part of the plan could be carried out. However, ever since China, Korea and other Asian countries have distrusted Japan and her aggressive intentions and history. The horrible Japanese record of aggression and atrocities of WWII solidified that anti Japanese sentiment which still exists to some extent.
This quotation illustrates the disorganization of the Japanese Government at the time that the United States was attempting to force Japan to open the nation to trade. The Bakufu was a type of parallel government of the military. (It literally means “city of tents” and soldiers lived in tents.) The “Barbarians” were the Americans. The struggle between the civilian and military for governmental control has been ongoing in Japan for centuries until after the debacle of WWII with the Japanese militaristic government, Japan relegated the military to a minor role. But Japan’s Asian neighbors, who are familiar with Japanese History still worry about Japanese militarism.
He was executed for rebellion at age 29. However, a number of his followers went on to leadership positions in the reforms that followed. The Shogun was the military ruler of the country subject only to the Emperor. In the logic of Japan at the time one could call for revolution against the Shogun and not be disloyal to the Emperor.
