Otori Keisuke(1833-1911)

Otori Keisuke during the Boshin War (center).

Otori Keisuke (1833-1911) was a Japanese military commander during the last years of the Tokugawa shogunate and the beginning of the Meiji Era. The Boshin War (戊辰戦争 Boshin Sensō, literally War of the Year of the Dragon) was fought in 1868-1869 between the Tokugawa Shogunate and the pro-Imperial forces in Japan. ... See: Meiji Restoration, the revolution that ushered in the Meiji Era Meiji Era - the period in Japanese history when the Meiji Emperor reigned Emperor Meiji of Japan - Mutsuhito, the Meiji Emperor, who reigned during Meiji Era Meiji University - University in Tokyo. ...

Otori Keisuke, born in Hyogo the son of a doctor, had been educated in Chinese literature, medicine and Western gunnery. He became the Chief of Infantry (Hohei Bugyo) in the government of the Shogun. Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県 Hyōgo-ken) is located in the Kinki region on Honshu island, Japan. ...

During the Boshin war, he became Commander-in-Chief of the loyalist forces in the Republic of Ezo. He was seconded by the French captain Jules Brunet. The Boshin War (戊辰戦争 Boshin Sensō, literally War of the Year of the Dragon) was fought in 1868-1869 between the Tokugawa Shogunate and the pro-Imperial forces in Japan. ... Enomoto Takeaki (front, right) and the leaders of his loyalist troops in Hokkaido, 1869. ... The French military mission before its departure to Japan. ...

After surrender, he was imprisoned, but was later pardoned, and served in the new government from 1872. He became head of the Engineering Grand School (Kobu Daigakko), member of the Chamber of Elders, and president of the Gakushuin in 1886.

In 1889, he was sent as a minister to Qing China and Korea. He was instrumental in the opening of the 1895 Sino-Japanese War. There were two wars known as the Sino-Japanese War (between China and Japan): The First Sino-Japanese War occurred between 1894 and 1895, primarily over control of Korea. ...