Milestone Monday: Itō Hirobumi
On December 22nd 1885 Itō Hirobumi (1841-1909) became the first prime minister of Japan. Born Hayashi Risuke, as a young child he was adopted along with his father into the Itō family – which granted them the foot soldier rank as samurai. Itō was among the Chōshū Five, members of the sonnō jōi movement selected to study at University College London. He served as a councilor of foreign affairs after the Meiji Restoration of 1868, and worked within the United States to help establish Japan’s modern systems of banking and taxation. Itō served as prime minister from 1885-1888, and was instrumental in the formation of the Meiji constitution of 1889 and the cabinet system. He became prime minister again for a brief period in 1898, and from 1900-1901.
In consideration of Itō and his role in shaping modern Japan, we’re highlighting Prince Itō: The Man and Statesman, a Brief History of His Life, by Kaju Nakamura in 1910. The book was published in New York City by Anraku Publishing Company and the Japanese-American Commercial Weekly. In the preface, Nakamura suggests that the view of Japan is “often seen by the Occidental through colored or false glasses.” He offers his brief biography as a corrective – not as a “hero-worshipper.”
In no better way, I believe, can I help to this badly needed perspective than by a cursory outline of the life of that patriotic and wise worker, stricken in the midst of a mighty labor in [sic] behalf of his country and her kindred neighbors, nay of the world at large!
See more Milestone Monday posts!
--Amanda, Special Collections Graduate Intern
