Admiral Togo at the age of 55, shortly before the Russo-Japanese War

Fleet Admiral Count Tōgō Heihachirō (東郷 平八郎 Tōgō Heihachirō OM, January 27, 1848 - 30 May 1934) was a Japanese Admiral and one of Japan's greatest naval heroes. He was called 'the Nelson of the East'. 1903 photograph of Heihachiro Togo. ... 1903 photograph of Heihachiro Togo. ... Insert non-formatted text here Combatants Imperial Russia Empire of Japan Strength 500,000 Soldiers 400,000 Soldiers Casualties 25,331 Killed 146,032 Wounded 47,387 Killed 173,425 Wounded Greater Manchuria, Russian (outer) Manchuria is region to upper right in lighter Red; Liaodong Peninsula is the wedge extending... A Fleet Admiral is a generic term for a senior admiral in command of a large group of ships, comprising a Fleet or, in some cases, a group of Fleets. ... For other Orders see Order of Merit (disambiguation). ... January 27 is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1848 is a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 30 is the 150th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (151st in leap years). ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. ... Lord Nelson Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson (September 29, 1758 – October 21, 1805) was a British admiral who won fame as a leading naval commander. ...

Early life

Togo was born on December 22, 1847 (by the Western calendar) in the Kachiyacho district of the city of Kagoshima in Satsuma Province (modern-day Kagoshima prefecture), in feudal Japan. Togo's father was a samurai, serving under the house of Shimazu, and he had three brothers. December 22 is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Kagoshima (鹿児島市; -shi) the capital city of Kagoshima Prefecture at the southwest tip of the Kyushu island of Japan. ... Satsuma (薩摩国; -no Kuni) was an old province of Japan that is now the western half of Kagoshima prefecture on the island of Kyushu. ... Kagoshima Prefecture ) is located on Kyushu island, Japan. ... Japanese samurai in armour, 1860s. ... Grave of Satsuma clan at Mount Koya. ...

Kachiyacho was one of Kagoshima's samurai housing-districts, in which many other influential figures of the Meiji period were born, such as Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi. They rose to prominent positions under the Meiji Emperor partly because the Shimazu clan had been a decisive military and political factor in the Boshin war against the Bakufu and the restoration of Imperial power. The Meiji period (Japanese: 明治時代, Meiji-jidai) denotes the 45-year reign of the Meiji Emperor, running from 8 September 1868 (in the Gregorian calendar, 23 October 1868) to 30 July 1912. ... Saigō Takamoris statue in Ueno park Saigō Takamori (西郷 隆盛 Saigō Takamori, 23 January 1827/28 - 24 September 1877), one of the most influential samurai in Japanese history, lived during the late Edo Period and early Meiji Era. ... Ōkubo Toshimichi (大久保 利通 Ōkubo Toshimichi, 10 August 1830 - 14 May 1878), Japanese statesman, a samurai of Satsuma, is one of the five great nobles who led the revolution in 1868 against the shogunate. ... Emperor Meiji (Mutsuhito) Mutsuhito (睦仁), the Meiji Emperor (明治天皇, literally Enlightened Rule Emperor) (3 November 1852–30 July 1912) was the 122nd Emperor of Japan. ... Grave of Shimazu family at Mount Koya. ... 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. ... For the James Clavell novel, see Shogun or for the TV Miniseries. ...

Tokugawa conflicts (1863-1869)

Officers of Kasuga, in August 1869. Third-class officer Togo is dressed in white, top right.

Togo's first combat experience was at the age of 17 during the Anglo-Satsuma War (August 1863), in which Kagoshima was bombarded by the British Royal Navy to punish the Satsuma daimyo for the murder of Charles Lennox Richardson on the Tōkaidō highway the previous year (the Namamugi Incident), and the Japanese refusal to pay an indemnity in compensation. Officers of the Japanese warship Haruhi. ... Officers of the Japanese warship Haruhi. ... 1869 (MDCCCLXIX) is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... The Anglo-Satsuma War (Japanese Satsu-Ei Sensou) took place in August 1863. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the senior service of the British armed services, being the oldest of its three branches. ... Satsuma (薩摩国; -no Kuni) was an old province of Japan that is now the western half of Kagoshima prefecture on the island of Kyushu. ... Daimyo Matsudaira Katamori visits the residence of a retainer. ... Charles Lennox Richardson was the English merchant from Shanghai who was in Japan and was murdered by the Satsuma retainers of Shimazu Hisamitsu on September 14, 1862. ... Tōkaidō (東海道) (literally, East Sea Route) is the name of several things: National Route 1, which links Tokyo and Osaka; The Tokaido Main Line, which links Tokyo and Kobe; One of the Edo Five Routes, which linked Edo (now Tokyo) and Kyoto along the shore (see below); and An ancient... The Namamugi Incident, as depicted in a 19th century Japanese woodcut print. ...

The following year, Satsuma established a navy, in which Togo and two of his brothers enrolled. In January, 1868 during the Boshin war, Togo was assigned to a paddle-wheel steam warship, Kasuga, which participated to the Naval Battle of Awa, near Osaka, against the navy of the Bakufu, the first Japanese naval battle between two modern fleets. 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. ... The Japanese warship Kasuga (JPN: 春日) was built in 1862 (or possibly 1863) in Great Britain under the name Kiangsu (after the area of Jiangsu in China). ... Osaka City Hall Mayor Junichi Seki Address 〒530-8201 Osaka-shi,Kita-ku Nakanoshima 1-3-20 Phone number 06-6208-8181 Official website: Osaka City , Osaka ) is the capital of Osaka Prefecture and the third-largest city in Japan, with a population of 2. ...

As the conflict spread to northern Japan, Togo participated as a third-class officer aboard the Kasuga in the last battles against the remnants of the Bakufu forces, the Naval Battle of Miyako and the Naval Battle of Hakodate (1869). The Battle of Hakodate was fought from 4-10 May 1869, at the beginning of the Meiji Restoration, in the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, between the remnants of the Shoguns navy, consolidated into the armed forces of the rebel Ezo Republic, and the newly formed Imperial Japanese Navy. ...

Studies in Britain (1871-1878)

Togo during his studies in Europe, in 1877

Togo studied naval science for seven years in England as an apprentice officer, from 1871 to 1878, together with sixteen (or eleven?) other Japanese students. Togo visited London, at that time the largest and most populous city in the world. Many things were strange to Japanese eyes; the round houses made out of stone, the 'number and massiveness of the buildings', 'the furnishings of a commonplace European room', 'the displays in the butchers' shop windows: it took them several days to become accustomed to such an abundance of meat.' The Japanese group was separated and sent to English boardinghouses for individual instruction in English language, customs and manners. 'Togo was sent to Plymouth'. Next, Togo went to train on the HMS Worchester as a cadet, in 1872. Here, Togo found his cadet rations 'inadequate': "I swallowed my small rations in a moment. I formed the habit of dipping my bread in my tea and eating a great deal of it, to the surprise of my English comrades." This was attributed possibly to Togo's 'Far Eastern metabolism', the lack of rice, 'or that some other essential element was missing; or perhaps the climatic differences sharpened his appetite.' Perhaps the excitement of his adventure contributed, or maybe Togo just liked the food. Togo's comrades called him 'Johnny Chinaman', being unfamiliar with the 'Orient', and not knowing the difference between Asiatic peoples. 'The young samurai did not like that, and on more than one occasion he put an end to [it] by blows.' Togo also surprised these young Englishmen by graduating second in the class. During 1875, Togo travelled around the world on the British training- ship Hampshire, leaving in February and staying seventy days at sea without a port call until reaching Melbourne, eating only salted meat and ship's bisquits. Togo 'observed the strange animals on the Southern continent.' On his return, Togo had sailed thirty thousand miles. Togo suffered a strange illness which severely threatened his eyesight: 'the patient asked his medical advisers to "try everything", and some of their experiments were extremely painful.' Mr. Capel commented later, 'If', he wrote, 'I had not seen with my own eyes what a Japanese can suffer without complaint, I should often have been disinclined to believe....But, having observed Togo, I believe all of them.' The Harley Street ophthalmologists saved his eyesight. Togo studied in Cambridge (though not at the University) during this time, while living with Reverend A.S. Capel. Togo then went to the Naval Preparatory School in Portsmouth, and to the Royal Naval College at Greenwich. During his stay, the IJN placed orders in Britain for three warships. Togo made use of the opportunity to apply his training, supervising (watching carefully) the construction of the Fuso at the Samuda Brothers shipyard on the Isle of Dogs. Togo Heihachiro during his studies in Europe. ... Togo Heihachiro during his studies in Europe. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location (dark green) within the United Kingdom (light green), with the Republic of Ireland (blue) to its west Languages English Capital London Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population –mid-2004... For other uses, see London (disambiguation). ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Species Oryza glaberrima Oryza sativa Rice refers to two species (Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima) of grass, native to tropical and subtropical southeastern Asia and to Africa, which together provide more than one fifth of the calories consumed by humans[1]. Rice is an annual plant, growing to 1-1. ... Japanese samurai in armour, 1860s. ... Melbourne is the state capital and largest city in the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-largest city in Australia, with a population of approximately 3. ... Map of the Cambridgeshire area (1904) The city of Cambridge is an old English university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire. ... Portsmouth is a city of about 196,000 people located in the county of Hampshire on the southern coast of Great Britain. ... Crest on the gate of the Royal Naval College The Royal Naval College was a Royal Navy training establishment between 1873 and 1998, in the centre of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site in London, United Kingdom. ... The IJN Fusō (扶桑) was an ironclad warship of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Samuda Brothers was an engineering and ship building firm on the Isle of Dogs, founded by Jacob and Joseph dAguilar Samuda. ... The Isle of Dogs is a peninsula in the East End of London. ...

Togo finally came back to Japan on 22 May 1878 onboard another of the newly-purchased British-built ships, the Hiei. May 22 is the 142nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (143rd in leap years). ... 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... The Hiei The Hiei was an 1878 armored corvette of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ...

Franco-Chinese war (1884-1885)

Back in the Imperial Japanese Navy, Togo received several commands, first as captain of Daini Teibo, and then Amagi. During the Franco-Chinese War (1884-1885), Togo, onboard Amagi, closely followed the actions of the French fleet under Admiral Courbet. Ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Franco-Chinese War was a war fought between the French Third Republic and Qing Empire that lasted from September 1884 to June 1885. ... Amédée Courbet (1828-1885) Amédée Courbet born in Abbeville en 1828, was a French Admiral during the 19th century, who was particularly active in Asia. ...

Togo also observed the ground combat of the French forces against the Chinese in Formosa (Taiwan), under the guidance of Joffre, future Commander-in-Chief of French forces during the First World War. Joseph Joffre Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre (January 12, 1852 - January 3, 1931) was a Catalan French general who became prominent in the battles of World War I. Joffre was born in Rivesaltes, Roussillon. ... Combatants Allies: Serbia, Russia, France, Romania, Belgium, British Empire, United States, Italy, and others Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire Casualties Military dead: 5 million Civilian deaths: 3 million Total of dead: 8 million Military dead: 4 million Civilian deaths: 3 million Total dead: 7 million The First...

Sino-Japanese war (1894-1895)

In 1894, at the beginning of the Sino-Japanese War, Togo, as a captain of the cruiser Naniwa, sank the British transport ship Kowshing which was working for the Chinese navy. A report into the incident was sent by Suematsu Kencho to Mutsu Munemitsu. 1894 (MDCCCXCIV) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Japan and Qing China fought the First Sino-Japanese War (or the Qing-Japanese War) during 1894 and 1895, primarily over control of Korea. ... Categories: Japanese authors | Japanese historians | Japanese statesmen | Japan-related stubs ... Categories: Stub | 1844 births | 1897 deaths | Japanese politicians ...

The sinking almost caused a diplomatic conflict between Japan and Great Britain, but it was finally recognized by British jurists as in total conformity with International Law, making Togo famous overnight for his mastery of contentious issues involving foreign countries and regulations. The British ship had been ferrying hundreds of Chinese soldiers towards Korea, and these soldiers had mutinied and taken over the ship upon the appearance and threats from the Japanese ships.

After the end of the Sino-Japanese war, Togo's career was not so prominent. He was successively president of the Naval Staff College, commander of the Sasebo Naval College, and commander of the Standing Fleet.

Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)

Admiral Togo on the bridge of the battleship Mikasa, at the beginning of the Battle of Tsushima, in 1905

In 1903, the Navy Minister Yamamoto Gonnohyoe appointed Togo Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy. This astonished many people, including Emperor Meiji, who asked Yamamoto why Togo was appointed. Yamamoto replied to the emperor, "Because Togo is a man of good fortune". The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years. ... The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years. ... Mikasa (三笠) was a battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the flagship of Admiral Togo Heihachiro during the battle of Tsushima (1905) in the Russo-Japanese War. ... Combatants Japan Russia Commanders Heihachiro Togo Zinovi Rozhdestvenski Nikolai Nebogatov Strength 4 battleships, 27 cruisers, in addition to destroyers and auxiliary vessels 8 battleships, 3 coastal battleships, 8 cruisers Casualties 117 dead, 583 injured, 3 torpedo boats sunk 4380 dead, 5917 injured 21 ships sunk, 7 captured, 6 disarmed The... 1903 (MCMIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Admiral Yamamoto Gonnohyoe (山本権兵衛 October 15, 1852–December 8, 1933, also called Gonbee) was a Japanese military leader and the 16th (February 20, 1913–April 16, 1914) and 22nd (September 2, 1923–January 7, 1924) Prime Minister of Japan. ... Commander-in-Chief (in NATO-lingo often C-in-C or CINC pronounced sink) is the commander of all the military forces within a particular region or of all the military forces of a state. ... The Combined Fleet (連合艦隊 Rengo Kantai) was the name of the Japanese Navy, until World War II. See also: Military History of Japan Categories: Military stubs | Fleets | Imperial Japanese Navy ... Ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Emperor Meiji (Mutsuhito) Emperor Meiji (明治天皇, Meiji Tennō, literally Emperor of Enlightened Rule) (3 November 1852–30 July 1912), also known as Mutsuhito (睦仁), was the 122nd Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ...

During the Russo-Japanese War, Togo defeated the Russian fleet at Port Arthur in 1904, and destroyed the Russian Baltic Fleet in 1905, at the Battle of Tsushima, shocking the world with the strategic upset. This historic battle broke Russian strength in East Asia, and is also said to have triggered various uprisings in the Russian Navy (1905 uprisings in Vladivostock, the Battleship Potemkin uprising), contributing to the Russian Revolution of 1905. There was an investigation of the Russian naval leadership of the expedition, which Togo had destroyed or captured, into the reasons behind the utter defeat. The Russian commander of the destroyed Baltic fleet, Admiral Zinovi Rozhdestvenski (who was badly wounded in the battle) attempted to take full blame for the disaster, and the grateful authorities (and rulers of Russia) acquitted him at his trial. However, they 'scape-goated' Admiral Nikolai Nebogatov, who had tried to affix blame to the Russian Government. Nebogatov was found guilty, and eventually was sentenced to ten years close confinement in a fortress.
Insert non-formatted text here Combatants Imperial Russia Empire of Japan Strength 500,000 Soldiers 400,000 Soldiers Casualties 25,331 Killed 146,032 Wounded 47,387 Killed 173,425 Wounded Greater Manchuria, Russian (outer) Manchuria is region to upper right in lighter Red; Liaodong Peninsula is the wedge extending... Location within China Lüshun city or Lüshunkou or (literally) Lüshun Port (Simplified Chinese: 旅顺口; Traditional Chinese: 旅順口; Pinyin: , formerly in historic references both Port Arthur and Ryojun, is a town in the southernmost administrative district of Dalian of the Peoples Republic of China. ... 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Baltic Fleet, located at the Baltic Sea. ... 1905 (MCMV) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Combatants Japan Russia Commanders Heihachiro Togo Zinovi Rozhdestvenski Nikolai Nebogatov Strength 4 battleships, 27 cruisers, in addition to destroyers and auxiliary vessels 8 battleships, 3 coastal battleships, 8 cruisers Casualties 117 dead, 583 injured, 3 torpedo boats sunk 4380 dead, 5917 injured 21 ships sunk, 7 captured, 6 disarmed The... East Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms. ... The Potemkin uprising was a 1905 mutiny of the crew of the Russian battleship Potemkin against their officers, which was part of the Russian Revolution of 1905. ... The Russian Revolution of 1905 was an empire-wide spasm of both anti-government and undirected violence. ... Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. ... Zinovi Petrovich Rozhdestvenski1 (1848-1909) was an admiral of the Imperial Russian Navy, who was involved in the Russo-Japanese War. ... Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. ... Nikolai Ivanovich Nebogatov (Russian: ,1849-1922) was a Russian Rear-Admiral. ...

Later life

Admiral Togo with his wife Tetsu, in 1913

Later, Togo was Chief of the Naval General Staff and was made a Count. He also was a member of the Supreme War Council. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (459x697, 246 KB) Summary Admiral Togo with his wife Tetsu in 1913 Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Togo Heihachiro Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (459x697, 246 KB) Summary Admiral Togo with his wife Tetsu in 1913 Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Togo Heihachiro Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create...

In 1913, Togo received the honorific title of Fleet Admiral.

From 1914 to 1924, he was then put in charge of the education of Prince Hirohito, the future Showa Emperor. Hirohito ) (April 29, 1901 – January 7, 1989) was the 124th Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession, reigning from 1926 to 1989. ... The Shōwa period (Japanese: 昭和時代, Shōwa-jidai, period of enlightened peace) was the time in Japanese history when Emperor Hirohito reigned over the country, from December 25, 1926 to January 7, 1989. ...

In 1940, shortly after his death, Togo Shrine was built in Harajuku, Tokyo in dedication to Togo Heihachiro. There he is celebrated as a shinto kami. There is another Togo shrine at Tsuyazaki, Fukuoka. The only existent statue to him in Japan resides in Ontaku Shrine, in Agano, Saitama. 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... The Togo Shrine, in Harajuku, Tokyo, Japan. ... Harajuku Station at night Street performers on the bridge by Harajuku Station Harajuku (原宿) is the common name for the area around Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo, Japan. ... Tokyo ) , literally eastern capital, is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and includes the highly urbanized central area formerly known as the city of Tokyo which is the heart of the Greater Tokyo Area. ... Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Amaterasu, one of the central kami in the Shinto faith Look up Kami in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Tsuyazaki (津屋崎町; -machi) is a town located in Munakata District, Fukuoka, Japan. ...

In 1906 He was made a Member of the British Order of Merit by King Edward VII. 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... For other Orders see Order of Merit (disambiguation). ... Edward VII (Albert Edward) (9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King of the Commonwealth Realms, and the Emperor of India. ...

See also

• Anglo-Japanese relations
• Japanese battleship Mikasa - Togo's flagship at the battle of Tsushima

This page describes the history of the relationship between the United Kingdom and Japan. ... Mikasa (三笠) was a battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the flagship of Admiral Togo Heihachiro during the battle of Tsushima (1905) in the Russo-Japanese War. ...

References

• 'The Silent Admiral: Togo Heihachiro (1848-1934) and Britain' by Kiyoshi Ikeda, Chapter 9, Britain & Japan: Biographical Portraits, edited by Ian Nish (Volume One, Japan Library, 1994) ISBN 1873410271
• 'Admiral Togo', Georges Blond; The Macmillan Co., New York (1960)

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