Arai Ikunosuke (1836-1909)

Arai Ikunosuke (荒井郁之助, Arai Ikunosuke^?); (12 June 1836-19 July 1909) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period. Prominent as Navy Minister of the Republic of Ezo, he later became famous as the first head of the Japan Meteorological Agency. Also known as Akinori (顕徳, Akinori^?) or Akiyoshi (顕理, Akiyoshi^?). June 12 is the 163rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (164th in leap years), with 202 days remaining. ... Year 1836 (MDCCCXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... July 19 is the 200th day (201st in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 165 days remaining. ... 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Japanese samurai in armour, 1860s. ... Edo (Japanese: , literally: bay-door, estuary, pronounced //), once also spelled Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of the Japanese capital Tokyo. ... Enomoto Takeaki (front, right) and the leaders of his loyalist troops in Hokkaido, 1869. ... Japan Meteorological Agency (気象庁) is a government agency, which is a central place responsible for gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan. ...

Early life

Arai Ikunosuke was born in the Tedai-cho district of Edo, near the Yushima Tenjin shrine as the son of the Tokugawa gokenin Arai Seibei. He began learning the Chinese classics at age 7, and on the recommendation of his uncle, starting at age 12 he studied swordsmanship (Jikishin Kage ryu and Shingyoto-ryu), archery, and horse riding. At age 14, he entered the Shogunate's academy at Shoheizaka, and at age 18, he began to study Western-style gunnery. He began his career in the Shogunate at age 20, entering into Dutch studies (the ever-popular rangaku), and being posted as an instructor at the Nagasaki Naval Training Center. Edo (Japanese: , literally: bay-door, estuary, pronounced //), once also spelled Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of the Japanese capital Tokyo. ... Tokugawa (徳川) is a surname in Japan. ... Gokenin (御家人; lit. ... Shin Gyou Tou Ryu is a traditional Japanese swordsmanship style that dates back to the sixteen hundreds. ... It has been suggested that Primitive Archery be merged into this article or section. ... Rangaku (蘭学) or Dutch Learning was the method by which Japan kept abreast of Western technology and medicine in the period when the country was closed to foreigners, 1641-1853, because of the Tokugawa shogunates policy of national isolation (sakoku). ... The Nagasaki Training Center, in Nagasaki, near Dejima. ...

Life in the 1860s

After studying mathematics, sailing, and navigation, he was appointed a director of the Naval Training Center in the 9th month of Bunkyu 2 (1862). However, he was reassigned to the Shogunate's Military Academy (Kobusho) in 1864, and it was there that he worked with Otori Keisuke, learning French-style infantry tactics in Yokohama in 1865. Otori Keisuke(1833-1911) Otori Keisuke during the Boshin War (center). ... For a tire company, known by Yokohama Tyre, see Yokohama Rubber Company. ...

Boshin War

In 1868 during the Boshin War, Arai was assigned as a captain to the Shogunal Navy, and together with Enomoto Takeaki departed Shinagawa Harbor when Edo was surrendered to the Imperial Army. Traveling to Hokkaidō, he became Navy Minister of the new Republic of Ezo, and while he took part in the Naval Battle of Miyako Bay and the Naval Battle of Hakodate Bay, the Ezo forces were defeated, and Arai was placed in prison, where he remained pending a sentence of death. Combatants Imperial faction: Satsuma, ChōshÅ«, Tosa Tokugawa Shogunate Commanders Ruler: Meiji Emperor, CIC: Saigō Takamori, Army: Kuroda Kiyotaka Shogunate: Ruler: Tokugawa Yoshinobu, Army: Katsu Kaishu, Navy: Enomoto Takeaki, Ezo Republic: President:Enomoto Takeaki, CIC: Otori Keisuke, Navy: Arai Ikunosuke Casualties ~1,000 killed ~2,000 killed Campaign map of... Enomoto Takeaki at the time of Republic of Ezo in 1869. ... Shinagawa (品川区; -ku) is a special ward located in Tokyo, Japan. ...   literally North Sea Circuit, Ainu: Mosir), formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is the second largest island and largest prefecture of Japan. ... Enomoto Takeaki (front, right) and the leaders of his loyalist troops in Hokkaido, 1869. ... Combatants Empire of Japan: Kōtetsu Kasuga HiryÅ« Teibo Yoshun Moshun Chōyō Ezo Republic: Kaiten BanryÅ« Takao Commanders Arai Ikunosuke Strength 8 steam warships 3 steam warships Casualties 3 ships damaged 1 ship scuttled The Naval Battle of Miyako Bay (宮古湾海戦) was a naval action during the Boshin War in...

Meiji Era

With his sentence of death commuted, Arai worked with Enomoto in land reclamation for a time, before working in the Agricultural School, as well as becoming head of a women's school. He was later put in charge of the Central Meteorological Agency during the Meiji period, and became the first person to photograph the corona of the sun in Japan, during a solar eclipse in 1887. The Meiji period ) denotes the 45-year reign of Emperor Meiji, running from 8 September 1868 (in the Gregorian calendar, 23 October 1868) to 30 July 1912. ...

Later in life, together with his old colleague Otori Keisuke, he contributed to the magazine "Kyū Bakufu," writing articles about his experiences in the 1860s, as well as about the navy of the former Shogunate. Otori Keisuke(1833-1911) Otori Keisuke during the Boshin War (center). ...

Arai died of diabetes in 1909, at the age of 74. This article is about the disease that features high blood sugar. ...

References and Further Reading

• Fukunaga Kyōsuke. Kaishō Arai Ikunosuke. Tokyo: Morikita Shoten, 1943.
• Harada Akira. Arai Ikunosuke. Tokyo: Yoshikawa Kobunkan, 1994.
• Hillsborough, Romulus. Shinsengumi: The Shogun's Last Samurai Corps. Tuttle Publishing (2005). ISBN 0-8048-3627-2

External links

• Information on the Shogunate navy, including Arai's command
• More information on Arai