The Hawaiian gazette., 1868-05-27
JAPAN.
Gazette.

The opening of Hiogo and Osaca on the
inland sea, on the first of January last, has
brought to open war the two great parties
in Japan The treaties of 1858 were made
with the Shogoon, or Military head of the
Empire, whose capital, Yeddo, was the place
sought by the foreign diplomatists as the
centre of authority, and until the murder of
/ Mr.. Richardson in 1862, it was not discover
ed that the Mikado, or Spiritual Emperor, is
regarded by the japanese as the Supreme
Ruler. 1t was for the purpose of gettrng.ac-
cess to this parsonage, and having communi-
cation with his capital, Kioto, that the trea-
" powers sought to have 0saca made an open
port
So long as the Mikado remained secluded
and the foreign relations of the Empire were
managed by the Shogoon, his authority could
not be gainsayed or withstood by the other
Daimios. But this foreign policy having
been shaped to benefit the Shogoonate and
exclude princes who naturally desired TO
share in the trade, and the divisions ofopinion
naturally arising in such momentuous
change, as the opening of the Empire TO for
eign intercourse after centuries OF isolation,
caused confederation of those Daimios who
differed from the Shogoon and his party, and
contest commenced, as to which should gain
possession of the Mikado, or in other words,
appropriate the insignia and power of this
Spiritual Emperor. From being a cypher in
the Empire, this Emperor now becomes the
real, as he always has been, the hereditary
Lead of the nation.
Stotsbashi, the Shogoon, has been consid-
cred the head of the party favoriDg the open
ing of the country TO foreign intercourse-the
party of progress-but some believe that
while openly protesting the utmost friend
ship TO foreigners and desire for trade, he is
jealous of their too rapid progress, and IL
clined to be unfriendly at heart, and unfavor
able to all those concessions for sade and
commerce desired by the foreign powers.
Naturally be might be jealous of their too
near approach to, and influence upon the Mi
kado and his court, to whom as Daimio, he
owes fealty and allegiance in common with
the other princes, and desired that the whole
foreign policy might be conducted through
himself With the Mikado on his side the
Shogoon is omnipotcnt, against him, he is
shorn of LIS strength, and only able by force
of arms and civil war to retain his own Office
aud authority.
When therefore, the Foreign Ministers re-
moved to Osaca, a council of the great Dali
mics was called to meet at Kioto, to deter
mine upon the future foreign policy, and
thither the Shogoon went, but the Southern
Daimios refused, asserting that they would
not meet in council under the guns of the
large foreign feet which had assembled in
the waters of the inland sea. Satsuma, Cho-
isu, Tosa and others of those southern chiefs
hostile to the foreign policy of the Shogoon,
and jealous of his authority, entered into
confederation and determined to seize the
person of the Mikado and assume the sover-
eighty through him.
Instead therefore of coming peacably TO
the grand council at Kioto, they came sur
rounded by their armed retainers, and the
shogoon was forced for safety, TO retire to his
castle at Osaca and await achievements
The confederate Daimios in possession of
Kioto, while nominally obeGient TO the Mi
kado Ia boy of nine or ten years. virtually
held him prisoner and assumed the direc-
ton of affairs.
On the 9th of January, the Shogoon, with
out waiting for all his forces to come up, and
without usual military precaution, marched
from Osaca to Kioto, and after four days fight
ing, was defeated and fed. His army was
scattered without any lire of retreat being
open, and with his officers only, he escaped by
flight to foreign vessel of war lying at Hio-
go, and thence by his own vessel to Yeddo.
The prime cause Of this, route, was the ap-
pearsnce on the field of the BANNER of the
Mikado, artfally displayed by the confeder-
ates at the head of their troops on the third
day of the combat. The sight of this flag