A historical Perspective During the Reign of

CHUI #2

Incidents that happened during the Sino-Japanese war and on Okinawa which were chronicled in Okinawan history by Kurayomi Shunchocho were influenced by HAGAKURE. The shape and form of Okinawan history was often bases on this novel.

- Nisshin Senso & Okinawa  
In 1894 7th month 27th year of Meiji the Sino Japanese war broke out. The following year 28th year of Meiji 4th month after a succession of victories against the Sino block country, a peace treaty was signed.

Japan also wanted two separate sums of money, one parcel requested was 200 million en, and another 300,500,00 en. This was for war reparations. During the war Japan took Korea out from under the Manchus. This was given to Japan in lieu of the large sum of money requested. Also during the war Okinawan society grew tremendously. This was due to the demands required by the war machine which Okinawa help supply.

After the abolition of the clans and the Subsequent setting up of prefectures, the descendants of the Samurai finally understood the meaning of the new political system and how to benefit by it. Shinken Sho who was then the Current ruler on Okinawa followed this model and moved Okinawans toward this new era to form a more solidified prefecture. His plan also involved some assistance from China to achieve this goal. Even though China insisted that Okinawa was a part of their Dynasty they were wrong and that was one of the Sore spots that delayed this war.

Under the influence of the Ganko Ha an individual named Yurokusha had formulated a plan for the new class system. These people would benefit from this plan. During the war, the unification of the Japanese people and all of their resources during the first 15 days of the war was astounding. The people merged to hold their country together and suppress the enemy.

The center of this effort was a newspaper, which was reporting all these events as they happened. How the Japanese had put down the Chinese rebellion and how they attacked and crushed the invaders enmasse. Other people took advantage of this including the merchants.
These people organized various units, which helped the Japanese unified party. Every man, woman and child contributed to defend the government plan for a complete unification of the prefectures which would result in Asian expansion. Event he middle school students formed a patriotic Volunteer Corp to help stave off the Chinese hordes during the war.
Okinawa achieved recognition during the war while Japan achieved a military victory. During this Japan kept close watch on Taiwan by making frequent port calls to ensure the island residents were getting what they were suppose to in terms of liberty and good government.

Right after the war Gotoku Kyuchoi an Okinawan news reporter journeyed to the site of the battle Japan had just finished with to chronicle his findings. In 1869 1st month 7th day 29th year of Meiji the Kyuyogen with 26 Chinese military persons aboard returned to the port of Naha to pay their respects for things that happened during the war. After the abolition of the clans many people fled to China looking for, what they thought would be a better life.

During this era many people traveled to and from Okinawa into Fukien, Mukden and Peking China. Many government people traveled back and forth in order in order to petition the Japanese for relief for the war stricken. The following individuals Tomori Chohoku and Uchisoe Chochu along with the Shuri village head wardsman Chike Choshu traveled to China on a regular basis. They were working on plans for an approved relief effort for the Chinese people.
This was approved so as to patch up relations after the war. During the 6th month 30th day of that same year Prince Giywan Shoin and Prince Matsuyama Shoin were granted Bar on status for their efforts toward the relief effort.
Many other changes were taking place during this time also. The Imperial Restoration of 1868 decreed that all-traditional topknot would be cut off and hairpins removed. Many people did not obey thin mandate at first. There were too many ties to the past. Many though did obey this decree because they viewed this act as a change for, the good. When the school systems were established for the children during the 21st year of Meiji this hair cutting decree was made mandatory for all children in normal school, high school.

This mainly affected the urban areas around Naha. There were those of higher or noble class who refused to cut their children’s hair for fear of losing traditional values already imbedded in their children. The teachers pleaded with these families to comply for uniformity sake. Many had even tried to cleverly rearrange their children’s hair to give the appearance it had been cut. Then when they returned home, it was put back in to top knot form. It was human nature for people to do this. People knew it would take time for these reforms to take effect.

Shinko Okinawa no Rekishi yori

1. THE TRAVELS OF MILITARY PERSONNEL DURING THE NISSHIN SENSO.
2. THE PREPARATION FOR WAR BY THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES.
According to history the territorial problem was only indigenous to Okinawa. But in transition from China under the Manchus to the present day China the problem was in whom will gain possession of these disputed areas China or Japan? Japan had all but told China that Okinawa was their, property and would remain under their control.
In 1885 the Japanese government National Diet Assembly was established. This group would deal with all military matters; one incident in particular was an incident on an English cargo ship off the coast of Okinawa, which was believed instigated by the Chinese.

Upon completion of the investigation the following year the Prewar Home Minister Yamaken Yokoroku looked into these affairs. He was also a Lt. General of the 1st generation of Army Staff Officers and Wartime College President.

Additionally, he was Council Chairman along with Tokyohei Hachiro who was a Navy Fleet Admiral, and prior Lt. Colonel during the Nichi Ro Senso and Combined Squadron Commander and Chief again made preparations for war with China.
According to Okinawan history Yamaken when he was Minister visited Okinawa for the first time and met with some relatives whose boat had been ship wrecked on Okinawa. They were all-homesick and wanted to return to mainland Japan. But due to the changing political climate and unsafe sea-lanes they were advised to stay put until the situation stabilized. Yamaken stayed on Okinawa for a time and was sent to the outer islands to investigate what type of defenses would be needed to defend his homeland from China. Twice he had been dispatched for this task. The second time was to observe the fighting between Russia and China during a small squirmish. Japan wanted intelligence on how fat, this small war might extend.

Back in 1878 the newly formed Arymy General Staff Seishin Bokyoku was reorganized and raised in status to show the Japanese people that times were changing and National Defense was of utmost import. They built a base for military operations in preparation for events yet to come. This then they said was where the main island Hombu or HQ would be situated. This was only a beginning. They were also looking at Yaeyama as another possible future site for military operations.

The government by decree was advised that all individuals of school age be trained in all areas of education to include the military arts. During this time public conscious of the country was in a transitional stage. Of the new government reforms the most important was the revamping of the military machine.
In addition there was much reorganization of the military personnel. Okinawa had a change in government personnel and at most of its military posts. Changes were in the wind for all.
In 1879 the then governor Chiken Shobun who held this position until after the Great War which ended in 1945 guided these small nations’ affairs into the new era. Along with 28 other government people this group made up the Okinawa Prefectural Government Body. A part of this government as stated before was responsible for the establishing and implementation of the new conscription system.
An official of Fukuken who was elected again for a second term of office was responsible for the research into developing a coastal defense system or an early warning attack system. During this time frame an English made warship Keijun Yukan Kongo (2,248 tons) was the training ship used to test this new defensive system out. By the time Japan had 3'powerful new warships the Keijun Yukanji Jun Yokan and the Seiei Yokan. The last two ships tonnage was 3,709 tons. The Keijun Yokan also carried domestic products to and from Okinawa. Also there were several class ships weighing out at 1,502 tons. These were being utilized for ferrying commercial goods also.

The war ministry was run by a strict go by the book Army General named Oyamagen. He had been promoted to

Lt General and was subsequently removed from that post to be assigned to a more prestigious post as the Supreme Commander of the Pacific. A Navy minister Seikyo Shodo was taken also from the ministry to be Admiral of the Navy. Jinrai Keihan who also had an office in the War, Ministry, filled the General Staff HQ assistant executive.
Ito Yutei who was a Navy Admiral, had experience in the Sino Japanese war. He also headed the combined squadron attack force for the pacific theater. These individuals were the 1st generation of Naval and Army Commanders. These individuals were the guiding spirit for the new combined military force.
Ito Sori was one of the individuals who were first on the list of officers that was interviewed during the old days by various newspapers, about his ideas and future speculations of the new Coastal Defense System.
Ito Sori had experience with both the Army and Navy as a commissioned officer. He was also

He was responsible for introducing a bill into the diet, which would allow the military services to establish a more advanced Coastal Defense System. This bill was approved unanimously. The main reason behind this bill was Japans old enemy China. This article was written by The Tokyo Daily Shimbun and directed toward the Chinese government.

A small brief on this new system: The mountain frontiers were the first line of defense for the Japanese. Many areas were looked at before decisions were made as to actual locations. The National Ryukyuan College located in the now Shuri Castle was one facility that was doing research and development for this new system. As stated before many potential sites were being considered for bases and schools to meet the military’s war machine. The Naha area was set up be utilized as an airbase for the Japanese air squadrons. Other areas on Okinawa were also being considered for future air bases. Ito was behind this effort also, and was to be appointed as head of the Ryukyuan Base Inspection Agency. He was additionally involved in developing the framework for construction and refurbishing of new and old bases for military needs.

Some of the logistical problems encountered were in the areas of labor, policy and contractor differences.

Once the locations were finalized the organization had to apply for an imperial grant before construction could begin.
Then when the project was funded, built and finished a picture of the Emperor and Empress was placed at the facility to indicate that this building was built and sanctioned by the Japanese as official government property.
As preparations for war were grinding on, the Japanese government was fine-tuning the military machine. This is also mentioned in chapter 6. About that same time the Shimeisho was formed in Kumamoto Prefecture. Along with this organization the 6th Army Division was also founded which General Yamachi Genii headed. In 1888 within the city limits of Naha a film was made of the Japanese Army and the Allied Army in front of the Naha middle school.
In 1889 during the 1st month of the 22nd year of Meiji all men between the ages of 17 and 40 were made to enlist for military service. This was a point in time where the Japanese were forming a force to protect their nation. The conscription requirements were rigidly adhered to during this time. During this period students were being scheduled for military service during their normal and middle schools years. For example in the ensuing years the era of uniforms for school children closely matched that of the military.
The military upon seeing how their rigid standards resembled that of the school age children in some respects thought that this was good for them in that this type environment would be ideal for possible new recruits into military service. The uniform idea was one to make everyone feel as an equal.
The defense of the Japanese archipelago was set up within limits set down by the government and was acted upon and made into law. This was initiated during the 6th month of 1893. This made for closer relations between Japan and Okinawa. The head of the Army, who was the Division Commander Prince Hokukawa Kinojo, was also the Imperial Guard Division Commander of the Taiwan Expeditionary Forces and SCAP.

The flow of commercial goods aboard ships was getting thru but hazardous conditions existed on the sea-lanes and were patrolled constantly. There were still isolated pockets of resistance toward government intervention aimed at bolstering national defense. In the year 1894 during the eighth month the war with China commenced.

China supposedly started it. The war though did take its toll on Okinawa and Japan. Japan finally got control of the situation thru their advance planning for a strong defense.
The general public finally met conscription decrees with approval. All the school systems set up patriotic volunteer Corp’s, which were organized and operated out of Shuri Castle. The organizations were tasked with being on the lookout for anti war and anti government protesters. Even the local merchants started groups to promote a strong national defense. These groups were named the Alliance Justice Party. Members of the noble class started a Naval Affairs Protection Party and a Patriotic Ladies Society Branch Office on Okinawa in support of the war effort.

The Ladies Patriotic Society took firm hold and was spread nationwide. This ladies force was first established but not formally introduced into the social mainstream until before 1901, which at the outset of the Jap/Russia conflict.

In 1895 during the 28th year of Meiji the Kita Hakukawa Imperial Guard Division Commander of the Taiwan Expeditionary Force and the Commander of a squadron consisting of 8 warships and 16 transport ships made a port call at Nakagasuku Bay to bolster the defenses of the Island.

The word of this massive display was spread throughout the prefectures. This movement initiated a move toward increased militarism in the region. The military academies were going full bore, taking student’s right out of normal school after graduation and putting them thru intensive training for military service. It was made into law that all eligible men would be conscripted. All the education facilities were scanned for individuals that showed potential for officer Corp school.

The old government administration was also still involved in re arranging and revamping the military services to meet their current and future needs.
In 1879 the Japanese administration divided the prefecture into 15 different areas e.g. Shuri, Naha, Kumeson, Hakuson, Toko, Chuto, Kokuto, Ie Shima, I heya Shima, Aguni Shima, Tonaki Shima, Kerama Shima, Kume Jima, Miyako Jima and Yaeyama.
Nine of these areas were designated as wards, Shuri, Naha, Toko, Chuto, Kokuto, I heya, Kumi Jima, Miyako, and Yaeyama. After this new reforms such as taxes were established for these areas. Military conscription was also carried out in these areas. This was because these areas became major population areas.
As all these areas were consolidated this gave the military the means to deal with draft evaders and anti war protesters. The nation during this period had been through various conflicts and had emerged victorious. Thru this effort the Japanese nation moved into areas of Asian expansion. In addition by stationing troops in these areas they had by 1896 achieved a military foothold in the greater pacific island areas.
Taken from the 20th year of Meiji

from the Okinawan Data Collection