1850s:  Japan & the Unequal Treaties with the West

Introduction

This article is a summary of Japan in the 1850s - during which the most notable events were the intimidation of Japan by "the West", the signing of the unequal treaties, and the beginning of Japan's quasi occupation by foreigner.

Since all this event of the 1850's ultimately lead to war, this story was originally the "introductory" section of my writing on  Japan's 1862 - 1865 War with Britain, France and the Dutch and Japan's 1862 -1868 Civil War / Revolution ***.   However, the scope and breadth of background section, which included important global and regional events plus a summary of relevant events from the Japan's previous 1200 years of history, was seemingly interesting enough to justify it's own story.   

If I were to summary what happened within Japan in the 1850's, it is this:

• By 1850's, Japan's ability to defend itself against modern weapons of war was very low.  This is in strong contrast to 270 year prior (Hideyoshi, the Japanese Matchlock, the Sengoku Jidai, and Japan's 1592 Invasion of Korea) when Japan was perhaps the most able (an weapon ready) land fighting force in the world.  

• In the 1850's, after 250 years of only dealing with the the Netherlands (the Dutch) as their exclusive European trading partner, the American, French, and Russian force,  the Japanese Government (the Tokugawa Shogun) to sign a type of treaty know these days as "an unequal treaty" that grants granting these counties trading and other rights very beneficial to these foreign countries.

• Also in the 1850's, the ruler of the the military / civil government, "the thirteenth Tokugowa Shogun", who was mentally incompetent, dies without an heir - sparking a typical Japanese conflict regarding power succession.  The military / civil government sort of gets "hijacked" but a few of the more powerful families who leader is assassinated just after the end of the decade.

While these events are interesting in and of themselves, the global and regional context in which event are occurring are just as interesting, if not more. 

Footnote:  *** My characterization of these period by the provocative titles above are not mainstream thinking.  Nonetheless, these title capture the essence of what the fact say - regardless of how most academics or others who might merely regurgitate history.

Regional Context

The 1850's was a very pivotal time in Japan's history as we will see.  It is also a convenient starting point exploring modern Japanese history as it approximately coincided with the three very important regional and global factors as understood my westerner. 

1. In 1842, coinciding with the end of the "first opium war".  This is the British "armed conflict" with China ended with favorable treaty for the British, whom were granted a large area of land within the city if Shanghai.  In 1844, the Americans and the French were also granted concessions in Shanghai.  This began what one author noted as the start of the "hundred years of decadence"  where Shanghai would become the "Paris of the East".  The point is that the west was in China now in a very big way and Japan seem the next logical stop to expand their activities.  America was the newcomer to the region "had" Shanghai only and thus Japan was the logical place to stop when going to an from China. 

2. The US had defeated Mexico in 1848 and essentially conquering and annexing California.  With California as a convenient launching point for Pacific excursions, US Admiral Perry would soon arrive with his gunboats to Japan in 1852.

3. 1850 was also the beginning of the Taiping Rebellion in China.  Many western powers were involved in suppression of this rebellion to protect their "trading interest".  This ultimately lead to the second opium war, the 1860 invasion and occupation of Peking by the French and the British, the installation a Chinese emperor of western likings, and the ratification of the Treaties of Tianjin which gave the west powers territory and liberal trading rights.

Pivotal & Complex Times

From events occurring in the 1850s, Japan would dramatically change.  When I talk to Japanese people about the period I am surprised that the grasp of the highly complex events of this period go generally un-noticed.

There is no doubt the British, French and the American were coming.  However, who would be first is merely a matter of timing.  The fact that America was the first to "get a treaty" is really not important.  However, it is a common for Japanese to adopt a the "American centric" way of looking at this period.  "US Admiral Perry arrived and opened up Japan, a land full of sword wielding samurai who know nothing of the west."      Simple now true.

Japan was "trade regulated" not "trade isolated"

• Trading with the Dutch was permited via the "Dutch Port" at Nagasaki Dejima, since the 1600s

• Trade with China - Nagasaki

• Trade  with Korea - via the Tsushima Domain

• Trade with the Ainu (now part of Russia) via the Matsumae Domain in Hokkaidō,

• Trade with the Ryūkyū Kingdom via the Satsuma Domain based in Kagoshima.

That said, Japan had been on "extra special lock down alert" since 1825 when orders were given by the Tokugowa to fire on any unregulated ship.

From a cultural and educational point of view, considering that there were already Dutch books, schools and newspapers in Japan as well as Christian churches, the idea that "America opened up Japan to the west" is as absurd a thought as "the Spanish discovered the Americas".  It is true that Japan had serious restriction of foreign travel.  Also, Japan was behind on Military technology, but it was not because didn't know as military science was taught in the Dutch schools.  Knowing about something and knowing what to do about it are two different things. 

Anyway, while "Perry Treaty" of 1854 was not unimportant, what really changed Japan was the

• Unequal Treaties with American, Britain, France, Russia and the Dutch of 1858, which resulted in

• Japan's War with the West (1862-1865) and

• Japan's Internal Struggle, Turned War (1862-1868).

Most Japanese are unaware of the magnitude of the three year of hostility with the West nor aware that Japan's internal struggle (that began about this time) morphed into a proxy war between the British (backing the imperial forces) and the French (backing the incumbent military dictator).  America at that time was not a global power and busy fighting it's own civil war (north against the south)   

Importance of 1850

1850 was a period of that set the stage for great political and social change drive by institutional reforms - from old Japan to a modern industrial society that began after the end of Japan' Civil War in 1868.    However, I also see it a period of transitions from one military regime (the Tokugawa) with another (Satsuma, Hizen, Chōshū, Tosa) all done in the name of the emperor and unlikely to have occurred without the the assistance of the British.    This is the same regime that would thereafter war with Russia (a great power) and win, invade and occupy in succession, the islands to the south, Taiwan, Korea, Manchuria, then portions of China....the same regime that, during the period leading up to WWII,  would assassinate two Japanese prime ministers and 5 other ministers internal campaign to control the "elected government".    I mention this with this tone to emphasis there is a lot going on here and that 1850 is really is a good starting point for understanding modern Japan. 

Anyway, back to1850. 

General Overview of 1850 Japan Life

The Shogun

In 1850, Japan was "ruled" by a military dictatorship control by the the Tokugawa Family and had been for the previous 247 years.  The period of rule by the Tokugowa family was known as the Edo Period.  Edo is the location where the first Tokugawa Shogun (Tokugawa Ieyasu).  Edo was 225 miles east of the the governments previous capital in Kansai where it had been for numerous previous centuries.  Later the town Edo was renamed Tokyo which translates to "East Capital".

Imperial Power.  During the Edo period, the Emperor and his family were extremely important, but were mainly figureheads.  The Emperor, the royal family and royal court lived in Kansai (Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara) area, but the real power was held by whomever was the head of the Tokugawa clan in Edo.  The Emperor had not had real power since 1191 when power and control was taken from the imperial family by the first Shogun - Minamoto Yoritomo

Control Structure.  The government was run out of Edo, a place which in 1603 was far away for mainstream Japan.  Daimyos were required to keep their wife, families, and heir in Edo year round to secure the Daimyos pledged their allegiance to Shogun.  The Daimyos were required to support their operation of their families large residence and support facilities in Edo and return to Edo every year but sometimes 2 or 3 times a year.  It is interesting that this system of control was common and that the first Tokugawa Shogun had in fact been a hostage like this until he was 13 years old.  Parenthetically, I will mention that Russia's Joseph Stalin, whom financed much of Moa Ee Tung's aspirations in China after WWII, held some of Moa Se Tung's family in Moscow in a similar manner. 

Government Structure  In essence the Japanese imperial system and government that existed in the Edo period dated back to "Taika Reform Edicts"  in 646BC. The ruler, according to these edicts, was no longer a clan leader, but Emperor ( Japanese, Tennō), who ruled by the Decree of Heaven and exercised absolute authority.  These edicts were Japanese style adaptations of Chinese political philosophy and administration.  China rulers had major political influence and had even had a formal embassy in the Japan capital in the 640's.  To understand how strong Chinese influence, consider a) the language is based on Chinese language, b) Buddhism, the country's official religion at one time, came from China c) the initial structure of the structure concept of the government (Emperor and his court) came from China and d) even the word Japan or Nihon comes from the Chinese word meaning "the origin of the sun"  The name make sense only from the Chinese perspective.  Anyway, while the Emperor's decree nay have come from heaven, as a practical matter, the emperor was powerless on earth without the military.

Land Ownership  Without going into detail, "Taika Reform Edicts"  in 646 BC had established the basics of a system  system whereby lords could hold power within their lands and could still exercise hereditary rights to land and titles, but all land ultimately belonged to the Emperor, and all loyalties were to the Emperor above all other lords and masters. Again, while the Emperor was conceptually divine leader, the Emperor had not had power real power since 1191. 

Knowledge & Literacy.  For most most of the Edo period, Newspapers did not exist in Japan as literacy was only 25%.  Most Japanese knew little or nothing of the Shogun in Edo or the Emperor in Kyoto.  They knew well those to whom they paid homage - the local lord (Daimyos') and their enforcers (the Samurai). 

REGIONAL FACTORS

In my minds there are an number of regional factors (generally unknown to Japanese of the day) that offers important historical context for events in Japan. 

• The British in 1850 were at that time the biggest opium drug dealer in the world.  They were were engaged in numerous act of war (the opium wars) with China and, in 1839, seize Hong Kong; and in 1842, Shanghai.  These conflict ended with favorable treaty for the British, whom were granted a large area of land within the city (a concession).  The Americans (1844) and the French (1844) were also granted concession in Shanghai shortly there after and the beginning of what one author noted as the beginning of the "hundred years of decadence"  It is interesting that the American treaty specifically bar Americans from selling opium - "drug dealing" was to be solely a British monopoly and franchise.  Anyway, the important point is - a lot was happening in the region!  Shanghai is less than 500 sea mile from the "Foreign Trade Zone" that was exclusively run by the Dutch in Nagasaki (see below). 

• Fomosa/Taiwan.  Taiwan is 700 sea miles from Nagasaki.  The Portuguese were the first Europeans to note the island in 1544, but it was the the Dutch, in 1624, who established a commercial base there and began to "import workers" from China as laborers.  However, in 1662 the naval and troop forces of Southern Fujian (China) defeated the Dutch and subsequently expelled the Dutch government and military from the island.

• In addition, from 1850 to 1864, there was a very large civil war in China (know as the Taiping Rebellion) which was one of the deadliest civil war in recorded history with an estimated death toll of between 20 and 30 million.  The 16 year rebellion was eventually crushed by the Qing army aided by French and British forces. 

• Turns out the the first English language "newspaper" published form Japan was the Nagasaki Shipping List & Advertiser in June 1861.  It was newspaper associated with the North North Chaine Herald published in Shanghai.  In November 1861, the same company began publishing published a weekly newspaper in English, The Japan Herald in Yokohama.  In 1862, the Tokugawa shogunate began publishing the Kampan batabiya shimbun, basically a Japanese translated edition of a widely-distributed Dutch government newspaper 

• To understand what was at stake here, it is very important to understand is that the British, US, French (along with the Russian) wage war against the Qing Dynasty of China from 1856 to 1860.  This was know as the second opium war and was conducted in two phases, the phase leading up to the Treaties of Tianjin signed in June 1858, and the second phase when ended after large scale navel and ground battles between the Ming, French and British forces.  On October 6, 1860, the British and French entered Peking, the Qing emperor fled to Mongolia, and  there was widespread looting and fires.  On 18 October 1860,  the second opium war ended with the ratification of the 1858 treaty by the "new emperor" i.e. the "old emperors brother".  There were a few supplemental treaty thereafter agreed to by the "new emperor".  To sum up the situation, one diplomat speaking to the British parliament, "Beyond a doubt, by 1860 the ancient civilization that was China had been thoroughly defeated and humiliated by the West."  My point here is that "the west" was organized, know what they wanted, and were not going to take no for an answer - whether it was China or Japan. 

 The Tokugawa family had the difficult task managing internal western imperialist interest in the region.

• During the rule of Hideoshi Toyotomi (the Tokugawa Family's predecessor), the Portuguese enjoyed a favored trade status with both China and Japan, as they very helpful in policing the "Pirate Problem" in the the Sea of Japan / East China Sea.  China gave the Portuguese Macau and Japan gave the Portuguese an area near Nagasaki from which they could conduct trade.  However, when the Portuguese Jesuits started causing internal trouble, Hideoshi crucified 26 of them in one day in 1596.  However, trouble persisted and in 1614, the Tokugowa Shogun outlawed Christianity  and later with the help of the Dutch in 1638, expelled the Portuguese.  The rulers had enough of the Portuguese and the mettling Jesuits and seemed more comfortable with the British and Dutch who allowed trade without religious strings attached.  Two other notable trade exceptions were Korea who were allowed access to Tsushima, and the Chinese Qing whom were allowed access to the Ryūkyūs island that extend toward Taiwan.

• To deal with foreigners and foreigner influence,  the Tokugawa Family basically said "kill all the foreigner", except the Dutch in Nagasaki Ejima.  This was accomplished a number of edicts and policies from 1633-1639, Japan went into a "lockdown period" where essentially no foreigners or Japanese could enter or leave the country on penalty of death. 

• During this period of isolation, Japan had little knowledge of modern developments, particular those involving Warfare. Also, Dutch book were banned from Japan until 1720.    When the ban was lifted, Nagasaki became and very important foreign learning center.

• The American were busy playing catch-up in the region.  In December 1845, Commander James Biddle with the US Navy was successful in negotiating the USA first treaty with China.  However, in July 1846, when he arrived in Tokyo bay with one ship and one warship, his requests for a trade agreement remained was rejected and he was told to go to Nagasaki.  Remember, America in 1846-1848 was busy making war with Mexico whom 25 years earlier had won its independence from Spain.  Hence, the serious US presence on the west coast of North American had not occurred until 1848, when Mexico ceded California and other territory to the USA.   Anyway, as instructed by the Tokugawa government, the US Navy went to Nagasaki (in SW Japan) in 1848 to try to negotiate a trade agreement with the "open port", but was rejected. 

QUASI ISOLATION & THE DUTCH

Japan's stated "foreign policy" in the early 1850s were based edicts and policies from 1633-1639.  Trade Regulations have been discussed.  There are also a few other points to consider:

• Japanese were banned from leaving the country without permission.  Intergral part of regulating trade is regulating all traffic.  It also useful for hindering Japanese pirates conducting operating in China, something that had been of great concern to the Ming Chinese.  It would also be a useful law to hinder foreigners from abducting people, something the Portuguese use to do.  

About 1600 a merchant expedition of three vessels sailed from Amsterdam to Indonesia, the first of numerous journeys that resulted in lucrative Dutch trading stations throughout the world.  When the Dutch made there deal with the Japanese government in the early 1600's, the Dutch Army was the second most powerful in Europe.  There sailing vessel were also quite advanced.  By the mid-17th century the Netherlands was the foremost commercial and maritime power of Europe, and Amsterdam was the financial center of the continent.  The Dutch, like most European countries, like to war against those who "got in there way".   In the 1800s, the Dutch were overshadowed by the expanding power of Great Britain at sea and France on land. In 1810, the Dutch Republic into the French Empire after the conquest by Napoleon but Dutch sovereignty  was restored after the well know defeat of Napoleon in 1815.  After that, the Dutch still control many of its colonies and trading post, but is role as a major global military power were somewhat over. 

From the Japanese point of view, the reality was that the Dutch who were once powerful and could probably be of limited assistance in protecting Japan.  They could also provided the government with much information with regards to what was occurring in the world.  However, the world was changing quite rapidly and there was an increase in Japanese armed conflicts with Western ships and warship.  Hence the government issued orders in 1825 for all authorities to drive away all unlicensed foreign vessels "without second thought."    In 1844, a letter from the King of Holland was delivered to the government by a Dutch Warship that enter into Nagasaki.  The letter warned that western advances in science and the growth in international maritime trade would make significant contact with other western nations inevitable. The warning appears to have summarily dismissed.

Perry & the First Treaty

Much is know of Perry arrival in the 1850's.  However, this was not Americas first contact with Japan and the region.

In 1837, the American merchant ship (the Morrison) enters Edo Bay but is driven off by gun batteries.  It went to Kagoshima and was driven off there as well.   In 1844, the same year as America treaty with China granting a concession in Shanghai, US Navy Commodore James Biddle arrived in Japan with orders to establish trade but was driven off.  In 1848, the US had defeated Mexico in a war and annexed California.  With California as a convenient launching point for Pacific excursions, in would not be long before America would come again.

The American had the following motivations in 1853

• The US had a treaty port and concession in China (specifically Shanghai, 1844)

• The US had annex California from Mexico in 1848

• Hence in 1853, there was regular traffic between California and China. 

• American's merchant sailing fleet in the Pacific was being replaced by steam ships.  Steam ships needed coaling stations and where they could stop to take on provisions and fuel while making the long trip to and from China.(Japan was rumored to have held vast deposits of coal)

• American whaling industry had pushed into the North Pacific by the mid-18th century, and sought safe harbors, assistance in case of shipwrecks, and reliable supply stations.   In the years leading up to the Perry mission, a number of American sailors found themselves shipwrecked and stranded on Japanese shores, and tales of their mistreatment at the hands of the unwelcoming Japanese spread through the merchant community and across the United States.

• Also important to note the American ambition to grow its empire in the pacific was strong.  "Even before they conquered Mexico in 1848, America was on the West coast of North America (Oregon and Washington).  Also, in 1559, they were approached by Russia to buy "Alaska" but that deal was not fully negotiated till 1859 when it was bought for 7.2 million dollars.

Anyway, this is the backdrop against which to understand Perry expedition.  In the summer of July 14, 1853, the US Naval Commander Perry showed up near Tokyo (near modrn day Yokosuka) in o with 5 gunboats powered by steam and parked in Tokyo Bay until high level government official came to visit.  Perry delivered a letter "from the US Government to the Japan Government" with "trade proposal" and said he would return later. 

Tokugawa Ieyoshi, the 12th Tokugawa Shogun, died on July 27, 1853 after 16 year of ruler.  It is said that Ieyoshi was utterly surprised and unprepared upon receiving word of the arrival of Perry's ships in Edo Bay.  The Shogun soon began to feel very sick and died shortly afterward. 

 and the government agreed to the "1854 Convention of Kanagawa" which opened two Japanese ports to United States trade for trade, guaranteed the safety of shipwrecked U.S. sailors and established a permanent consul. The government also signed agreements with the Russians and the British in 1854 which were not that different the the Americans.

Japan's Response to Perry's Visit.

It is common said that the Japanese were shocked by the number and size of the guns on board Perry's ships.  This perhaps not surprising.  It is also said that "the Japanese" had never before  "seen ships steaming with smoke" nor known of there existence.  This may be true of the common people.  However, "steam power" used for ocean going excursions since about 1825; for multiple decades before that rivers and lakes before that, and since 1811 to power rail ways.  Japanese educated in the Dutch school system would know that. 

In the aftermath of Perry's first visit, the government with the assistance of the Dutch in Nagasaki, began building boats at a rapid pace.  Include a steam warship - the Kanko Maru - that was completed in 1855.  The government also founded the  Nagasaki Naval Training Center, was established in 1855 right at the entrance of the Dutch trading post of Dejima, allowing for maximum interaction with Dutch naval knowledge. From 1855 to 1859, education was directed by Dutch naval officers, before the transfer of the school to Tsukiji in Tokyo, where English educators became prominent.

Shimoda (in Kanagowa Province) a major port 100 kilometer south and west of Tokyo, was the only treaty port open to the foreigners.  Shimoda was also the location where the foreigner were allowed to open trade consulates. 

From 1854 to 1858, there were significant amongst of trade occurring between the west and the Japan at the "treaty port".

Late 1850's Western Aggression in Asia

China.  Important to note that the west (America, British, France, Russia, Dutch) had overwhelming military superiority and were not shy in using it.  Since 1850, the west had been helping the Qing Emperor deal with the Taiping Rebellion (a 14 year rebellion that resulted in the death of over 20 million civilians)  The late 1850's was the eve of the second opium war where the British, French, and Russian forces would invade China's capital and replace the Qing emperor with one most to their likening. 

Vietnam.  In 1858, Napoleon sent as naval expedition to Vietnam for that county's mistreatment of French Catholic missionaries and force the Vietnam royal court to accept a French presence in the country.  Three years later, in 1861, Napoleon's forces invaded and by 1862 the war was over.  Vietnam conceded three provinces in the south, opened three ports to French trade, allowed free passage of French warships to Cambodia, when ultimately lead to that country becoming a "French Protectorate"

History of the region showed that the west generally got asked for - either willingly or by force.

The Unequal Treaties of 1588.

By 1858, the Japan was being pressured all the western powers to

• open up more ports and

• accept term that were extremely unfair. 

Unfortunately, there was not much they could really do about it since Japan's military capability at the time was in my opinion pitiful. 

There was much division within the government on what to do to what extent "imperial approval" of the treaties was actually necessary.   It is commonly believed that Ii Naosuke (the Daimyō of Hikone, the largest of the hans) unilaterally, against the wishes of a good many of the other daimyō and without the consent of the emperor, made the decision to signed the first 1858 Treaty with the American.  At that time, the thirteenth Tokugowa shōgun, Iesada Tokugowa, was mentally incompetent, and the government was being administer by the Abe Masahiro (senior minister) with Ii Naosuke who had been appointed Tairō on  April 23, 1858.  The Tairō poisition was not a office commonly filled as it is very powerful.  Generally, the office holder was the shogunate's chief policy maker, and provided Japan with a capable temporary leader in the absence of a shogun, or in the event that the shogun was incapacitated.   The decision to appoint  Ii Naosuke came after Hotta Masayoshi’s (the treaty negotiator) disastrous attempt to obtain the emperor’s approval for the Harris treaty the Tokugawa Shogun.

On July 29, 1858, Ii Naosuke, as bakufu regent, signed the treaty with the US known as the "The Treaty of Amity & Commerce " or the "Harris Treaty".    This treat had the following elements:

Death of the Shogun & the Ansei Purge

When daimyōs of Mito (a Tokagowa), Owari, and Fukui objected to the signing, Mito and his heir, Hitotsubashi Keiki, were placed under house arrest and the others are forced to retire.

Also, typical of Japanese history when there is controversy, someone high level person dies.  In this case, on August 14, 1858, about two weeks after the signing of the treaty, Iesada Tokugowa (the thirtieth Tokugawa shogun) died.  Sicne he was without an heir and there was serious disagreement regarding selection of the next Shogun.  Traditionally, the next Shōgun was chosen from the houses of Kii, Mito, or Owari when the current Shōgun didn't produce an heir.  There were top running and qualified candidates

• Iemochi, the son of the daimyō of Kii, only twelve years old and not experienced enough to lead the country.

• Yoshinobu (Hitotsubashi Keiki), the son of the daimyō of Mito,

In the end, Tokugawa Iemochi as appointed the fourteenth Tokugowa Shogun and Ii Naosuke went on the "Ansei Purge". During the rest of 1858 and into 1859 Naosuke purged over 100 officials from the bakufu, the imperial court and the lands of various daimyo.  Eight of the officials who were purged were executed; the remainder were forced into retirement.  During the Ansei purge,  Ii Naosuke was able to force Hitotsubashi Keiki’s supporters to retire and place Hitotsubashi and his family under house arrest.  Ii Naosuke was also able to remove officials who had expressed unhappiness with his handling of the Harris treaty and the shogunal succession

Treaties with Great Britain, Russia, Holland, and France

In August of 1858, similar treaties with Russia, France and Britain were signed.. (Same group involved with the second opium war).

Also in August of 1858, treaties the government signs treaties with Great Britain, Russia, Holland, and France all similar to the Harris treaty.  Remember that Russia, France and Britain are the same group involved in the second Opium War with China and whom would soon thereafter invade the Chinese capital and install a puppet government. 

Assassination of Ii Nosuke 

In March of 1860, after 18 months infighting amongst the Daimyo and the Imperial Court, Ii Naosuke is assassinated in Edo by samurai opposing 1) his signing of the commercial treaty, his opening of the country, 2) his appointment of Iemochi as Shōgun, and 3) his harsh treatment of those who oppose him.

Japanese Delegation Goes to Washington DC 

However, that same month, March of 1860, with the tacit approval of the Emperor (who severely dislike foreigners), 80 bakufu officials did set sail for Washington DC, in a Japanese made ship with an all-Japanese crew .

End of the Decade.

The signing of the Harris Treaty with the USA and other treaties with other countries would result in serious changes occurring within the country.  Many daimyos remained bitterly resentful of theses treaties and Shogun's foreign policy which seemed to allowed foreigner free reign of the country.  China's experience proved that these westerners could be very dangerous indeed and needed to be dealt with as if thet were the enemy.  Ultimately, the discontent with in the country lead to the March 11th 1863 imperial edict edit know as the "The Order to Expel Barbarians " and 6 years of fighting.  which set into motion the events leading to what I will call the Japan Civil War and detail more fully in the next chapter.