Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: Katsu Kaishu

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French version

Katsu Kaishu

勝海舟
alternative words: Kaishu Katsu, Katsu Rintaro, Rintaro Katsu
keywords: famous person , meiji revolution , military man , statesman
related topics: Rangaku , Meiji Revolution , Edo shogunate , Bugyo , Hatamoto
explanation: Born in 1823 at Tokyo in a Hatamoto family. He had become familiar with the western technology by learning Dutch language. For that reason he went by ship to USA as captain of Rinkanmaru to ratify Harris treaty. He was nominated then to "Gunkan bugyo" ( a kind of naval minister) to form Japanese to the western military technology. In 1868, he negotiated a surrender of Tokugawa regime with Saigo Takamori to let his army take over Tokyo without fighting. He died in 1899.