Takasugi Shinsaku

Takasugi Shinsaku was a samurai from the Choshu Domain was considered as having one of the best significant contributions to the Meiji Restoration. He used several aliases to hide his activities from the Tokugawa Shogunate.

He was born in a castle in the town of Hagi. Takasugi Shinsaku was known for having the ability to think while on the run. Even if the war was raging around him, he could remain calm by Shamisen as the war raged all around.

Takasugi Shinsaku Early Life

He was the first son of Takasugi Kochuta who was a middle-ranked samurai. His mother was Michi. He had three sisters named Mei, Tomo, and Sachi. He had smallpox at age 9 or 10 but, Takasugi Shinsaku was able to recover from it.

He got a relapse while during his practice in fencing. He was able to get a license at the age of 21 to teach the Yagyu Shinkage Style.

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New Shadow School

It was Nobutsuna who was credited for the change in basic postures of the Shinkage Ryu. This was better known as the New Shadow School. The blades of the swords that Takasugi Shinsaku used had a shortened length.

It was Nobutsuna, the founder of this school, who developed a way to make the sword practice easier. This is what Takasugi did from a young age until he got the license to teach what he learned from his master.

Takasugi Shinsaku contributions to the Progress of Japan

Shinsaku sailed aboard a Tokugawa vessel to become a Choshu representative as part of a Japanese delegation. He was able to visit the dealers of European arms at the international port.

Takasugi devoted himself to modernizing Choshu military to become a favorite student of Yoshida. He entered the Shoheiko. This was a military school that was under the control of the Shogun of Edo.

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Change of Government

There was a growing resistance in Choshu. As a response, the Shogun sent an expedition to punish the perpetrators. Takasugi Shinsaku’s unit and the conservative government forces were defeated. The new government was established.

When the Shogun’s army left, Takasugi Shinsaku went into another expedition. He was sent in an expedition and he was able to keep control of the enemy even if the Shogun army tried its best to fight his forces.

This has changed the balance of power in Japan. This event had also drastically altered the political scene in Japan during that period of time.

Takasugi Shinsaku: A Great Hero

Takasugi Shinsaku’s untimely death took place before he could take an important role in the new administration. He kept sake near his bed while he made plans for war.

He tried to defy death and the disease that plagued him. Takasugi Shinsaku lied on a stone monument. This was close to the grave on the green hills of Yamaguchi.

His epitaph reads as “once he got started, he was like the wind and rain.” He was pampered as a child. At a young age, it was apparent that he was a genius. He was a swordsman who, in a moment of rage, cut a wild dog into two.

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