蝦夷共和国 Republic of Ezo Unrecognized state ← 1868 – 1869 → Flag Leaders of the Republic of Ezo, with the President Enomoto Takeaki, front right (1869). ||}These lists of unrecognized or partially recognized countries give an overview of contemporary geopolitical entities that wish to be recognized as Sovereign The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the, and the, was a feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the Shoguns of WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines --> formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan 's Viscount was a Japanese Navy admiral faithful to the Tokugawa Shogunate, who fought against the new Meiji government until the end of the Boshin Capital Hakodate Language(s) Japanese, Ainu Government Republic President Enomoto Takeaki Vice President Matsudaira Taro Historical era Bakumatsu  - Established December 15, 1868  - Surrender May 17, 1869  - Disestablished June 27, 1869

The Republic of Ezo (蝦夷共和国, Ezo Kyōwakoku^?) was a short-lived state formed by former Tokugawa retainers in what is now known as Hokkaidō, the northernmost, large but sparsely populated island in modern Japan. Throughout the world there are many cities that were once national Capitals but no longer have that status because the country ceased to exist the capital was moved or the capital is a city and port located in Oshima, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is the capital city of Oshima Subprefecture is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities The Ainu language (Ainu ain アイヌ イタク aynu itak; Japanese: ja アイヌ語 ainu-go) is spoken by the Ainu For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government. A republic is a State or Country that is not led by a hereditary Monarch, but in which the people (or at least a part of its people have impact on its President is a Title leaders of Organizations companies, Trade unions universities, and countries. Viscount was a Japanese Navy admiral faithful to the Tokugawa Shogunate, who fought against the new Meiji government until the end of the Boshin __FORCETOC__ For the Vice President of the United States, their roles and other information see Vice President of the United States. ImageBrunetAndTeamjpg|thumb|right|225px|The French military advisers and their Japanese allies in Hokkaido - use a cursor to investigate poly 0 350 18 341 48 315 47 are the final years of the Edo period when the Tokugawa shogunate came to an end Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of The was fought in Japan from 1868-10-20 to 1869-05-17, between the remnants of the Tokugawa shogunate army consolidated into the armed forces of the rebel Events 1521 - Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham, is executed for Treason. Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden President is a Title leaders of Organizations companies, Trade unions universities, and countries. Viscount was a Japanese Navy admiral faithful to the Tokugawa Shogunate, who fought against the new Meiji government until the end of the Boshin ImageBrunetAndTeamjpg|thumb|right|225px|The French military advisers and their Japanese allies in Hokkaido - use a cursor to investigate poly 0 350 18 341 48 315 47 ( 12 June 1836 - 19 July 1909) was a Japanese Samurai of the late Edo period was a Japanese military commander during the last years of the Tokugawa shogunate and the beginning of the Meiji Era Hijikata Toshizō (土方歳三 May 31, 1835 — June 20, 1869) was the deputy leader of Shinsengumi, a small-built and talented ( December 21, 1816 - July 1, 1896) also known as or, was a Japanese Samurai and Tokugawa retainer of the late Edo era (1828-1891 was a Japanese Samurai of the late Edo period later a figure in efforts to colonize Hokkaido The was a powerful Daimyo family of Japan. They descended from Emperor Seiwa (850-880 and were a branch of the Minamoto clan (Seiwa Genji by the WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines --> formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan 's

Background

After the defeat of the forces of the Tokugawa Shogunate in the Boshin War (1868–1869) of the Meiji Restoration, a part of the former Shogun's navy led by Admiral Enomoto Takeaki fled to the northern island of Ezo (now known as Hokkaidō), together with several thousand soldiers and a handful of French military advisors and their leader, Jules Brunet. The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the, and the, was a feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the Shoguns of The was a Civil war in Japan, fought from 1868 to 1869 between forces of the ruling Tokugawa shogunate and those seeking to return political power to the The, also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, or Renewal, was a chain of events that led to enormous changes in Japan 's political and social structure is a military rank and historical title in Japan. The Japanese word for "general" it is made up of two Kanji words sho, meaning "commander" Viscount was a Japanese Navy admiral faithful to the Tokugawa Shogunate, who fought against the new Meiji government until the end of the Boshin WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines --> formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan 's WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines --> formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan 's This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Military advisors, or combat advisors, are soldiers sent to foreign nations to aid that nation with its military training organization and other various military tasks Jules Brunet (2 January 1838-12 August 1911 was a French officer who played an active role in Mexico and Japan, and later became a General and Chief of Enomoto made a last effort to petition the Imperial Court to be allowed to develop Hokkaidō and maintain the traditions of the samurai unmolested, but his request was denied. ^[1]

Establishment of the Republic

On 1868-12-15, the independent "Republic of Ezo" was proclaimed, with a government organization based on that of the United States, with Enomoto elected as its first president (sosai). Year 1868 ( MDCCCLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Japanese word Sosai (Japanese総裁 "Sōsai" means roughly "president" or "director-general" This was the first election ever held in Japan, where a feudal structure under an emperor with military warlords was the norm. An election is a Decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold formal office A warlord is a person with power who has military control over a subnational area due to Armed forces loyal to the warlord and not to a central authority Through Hakodate Magistrate Nagai Naoyuki, they tried to reach out to foreign legations present in Hakodate. ( December 21, 1816 - July 1, 1896) also known as or, was a Japanese Samurai and Tokugawa retainer of the late Edo era is a city and port located in Oshima, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is the capital city of Oshima Subprefecture The French and British extended conditional diplomatic recognition, but the Meiji government did not. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Diplomatic recognition in international law is a unilateral political act with domestic and international legal consequences whereby a state acknowledges an act The Government of Meiji period Japan from 1868-1911 was an evolution of institutions and structures from the feudal order of the Tokugawa bakufu towards

The governmental hall of the Republic of Ezo, inside the fortress of Goryōkaku. is a Star fort in the city of Hakodate in southern Hokkaidō, Japan.

The Ezo Republic had its own flag, a chrysanthemum on a sky-blue background (symbol of Imperial rule) and a red star with seven points (symbol of the new Republic). Chrysanthemums, often called 'mums' are a genus ( Chrysanthemum) of about 30 species of perennial Flowering plants in the family Asteraceae The financial wherewithal was provided in part by 180,000 gold ryō coins Enomoto retrieved from Osaka Castle following Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu's precipitous departure after the Battle of Toba-Fushimi in early 1868. is a Japanese castle in Chūō-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. is a military rank and historical title in Japan. The Japanese word for "general" it is made up of two Kanji words sho, meaning "commander" Tokugawa Yoshinobu 1st Prince of the Yoshinobu-ke (徳川 慶喜 Tokugawa Yoshinobu (also known as Keiki) October 28, 1837 &ndash The occurred between pro-Imperial and Tokugawa shogunate forces during the Boshin War in Japan ^[2]

During winter of 1868, the defenses around the southern peninsula of Hakodate were enhanced, with the star fortress of Goryōkaku at the center. is a city and port located in Oshima, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is the capital city of Oshima Subprefecture A star fort or trace italienne is a Fortification in the style that evolved during the age of Black powder, when cannons came is a Star fort in the city of Hakodate in southern Hokkaidō, Japan. The troops were organized under a joint Franco-Japanese command, Commander-in-chief Otori Keisuke being seconded by the French captain Jules Brunet, and divided into four brigades, each commanded by a French officer (Fortant, Marlin, Cazeneuve, and Bouffier). A commander-in-chief is the Commander of a nation's Military forces or significant element of those forces was a Japanese military commander during the last years of the Tokugawa shogunate and the beginning of the Meiji Era Jules Brunet (2 January 1838-12 August 1911 was a French officer who played an active role in Mexico and Japan, and later became a General and Chief of A brigade is a Military unit Echelon: is Arthur Fortant was a non-commissioned officer a sergeant of the French Regiment of the Guard of the field artillery Jean Marlin (1833-1872 was a non-commissioned officer a sergeant of the French 8th Battalion of infantry Cazeneuve was a French non-commissioned officer a corporal and horse trainer of the Guard of Emperor Napoleon III. François Bouffier (1844&ndash1881 was a French non-commissioned officer of the 19th century a sergeant of the 8th Battalion of infantrymen The brigades were themselves divided into eight half-brigades, each under Japanese command.

Brunet demanded - and received - a signed personal pledge of loyalty from all officers and insisted they assimilate French ideas. An anonymous French officer wrote that he had taken charge of everything,

Defeat by Imperial forces

Imperial troops soon consolidated their hold on mainland Japan, and in April 1869 dispatched a fleet and an infantry force of 7,000 men to Hokkaidō. The Infantry is the oldest and most numerous of the Combat Arms in the Armed forces, and consists The Imperial forces progressed swiftly and won the Battle of Hakodate, until the Goryōkaku fortress was surrounded. The was fought in Japan from 1868-10-20 to 1869-05-17, between the remnants of the Tokugawa shogunate army consolidated into the armed forces of the rebel Enomoto surrendered on May 17, 1869, turning the Goryōkaku over to Satsuma staff officer Kuroda Kiyotaka on May 18, 1869. Events 1521 - Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham, is executed for Treason. Year 1869 ( MDCCCLXIX) is a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The Satsuma domain ( 薩摩藩 Satsuma Han) was one of the most powerful feudal domains in Tokugawa Japan, and played a major role in the ( 16 October 1840 - 23 August 1900) also known as Kuroda Ryōsuke (黑田 了介 was a Japanese Politician Events 1152 - Henry II of England marries Eleanor of Aquitaine. Year 1869 ( MDCCCLXIX) is a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year ^[4] Kuroda is said to have been deeply impressed by Enomoto's dedication in combat, and is remembered as the one who spared the latter's life from execution. As per the arrangements for the surrender, the Ezo Republic ceased to exist on June 27, 1869. Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden Year 1869 ( MDCCCLXIX) is a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year On August 15 of the same year, the island was given its present name, Hokkaidō ("Northern Sea District"). Events 778 - The Battle of Roncevaux Pass, at which Roland is killed ^[5]

The Naval Battle of Hakodate Bay, May 1869; in the foreground, Kasuga and Kōtetsu of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The was fought from 4 May - 10 1869, between the remnants of the Tokugawa shogunate navy consolidated into the armed forces of the rebel Ezo Republic Origins The Kōtetsu was built by shipbuilder L'Arman in Bordeaux, France. For Combined Fleet, please see that article For Carrier Striking Task Force, please see that article

Perspectives

While later history texts were to refer to May 1869 as being when Enomoto accepted the Meiji Emperor's rule, the Imperial rule was never in question for the Ezo Republic, as is evidenced by part of Enomoto's message to the Dajōkan (太政官, Dajōkan^?) (the Imperial governing council) at the time of his arrival in Hakodate:

The French military advisors and their Japanese allies. Front row, second from left: Jules Brunet, beside Matsudaira Taro, vice-president of the Ezo Republic. Jules Brunet (2 January 1838-12 August 1911 was a French officer who played an active role in Mexico and Japan, and later became a General and Chief of ImageBrunetAndTeamjpg|thumb|right|225px|The French military advisers and their Japanese allies in Hokkaido - use a cursor to investigate poly 0 350 18 341 48 315 47 Background After the defeat of the forces of the Tokugawa Shogunate in the Boshin War (1868&ndash1869 of the Meiji Restoration, a part of the

Thus from Enomoto's perspective, the efforts to establish a government in Hokkaidō were not only for the sake of providing for the Tokugawa house on the one hand (burdened as it was with an enormous amount of redundant retainers and employees), but also as developing Ezo for the sake of defense for the rest of the country, something which had been a topic of concern for some time. Recent scholarship has noted that for centuries, Ezo was not considered a part of Japan the same way that the other "main" islands of modern Japan were, so the creation of the Ezo Republic, in a contemporary mindset, was not an act of secession, but rather of "bringing" the politico-social entity of "Japan" formally to Ezo. ^[7]

Enomoto was sentenced to a brief prison sentence, but was freed in 1872 and accepted a post as a government official in the newly renamed Hokkaido Land Agency. He later became ambassador to Russia, and held several ministerial positions in the Meiji Government. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending

Enomoto Takeaki, president. Viscount was a Japanese Navy admiral faithful to the Tokugawa Shogunate, who fought against the new Meiji government until the end of the Boshin

Otori Keisuke, Commander-in-Chief. was a Japanese military commander during the last years of the Tokugawa shogunate and the beginning of the Meiji Era

Arai Ikunosuke, Commander of the Navy. ( 12 June 1836 - 19 July 1909) was a Japanese Samurai of the late Edo period

Hijikata Toshizo, Commander of the Shinsengumi. Hijikata Toshizō (土方歳三 May 31, 1835 — June 20, 1869) was the deputy leader of Shinsengumi, a small-built and talented For the NHK television series see Shinsengumi!. The were a Special police force of the Late shogunate period.

References

• Ballard C. B. , Vice-Admiral G. A. The Influence of the Sea on the Political History of Japan. London: John Murray, 1921.
• Black, John R. Young Japan: Yokohama and Yedo, Vol. II. London: Trubner & Co. , 1881.
• Onodera Eikō, Boshin Nanboku Senso to Tohoku Seiken. Sendai: Kita no Sha, 2004.
• Hillsborough, Romulus (2005). Shinsengumi: The Shogun's Last Samurai Corps. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0804836272.  
• Suzuki, Tessa Morris. Re-Inventing Japan: Time Space Nation. New York: M. E. Sharpe, 1998.
• Yamaguchi, Ken. Kinsé shiriaku A history of Japan, from the first visit of Commodore Perry in 1853 to the capture of Hakodate by the Mikado's forces in 1869. Trans. Sir Ernest Satow. Wilmington, Del. , Scholarly Resources 1973

Notes