The Rise of the Shishi Movement in Japan

The chapter explores the emergence of the Shishi movement in various domains of Japan during the 1860s, focusing on the discontented lower-ranked samurai who formed these militant groups with the goal of overthrowing the Tokugawa government. It delves into the contrasting reactions of different domain governments to the Shishi activism, highlighting the factionalized bureaucratic politics and varying responses to the movement. Additionally, it discusses the strategic maneuvering of historical figures like Ryoma Sakamoto, who despite blocking pro-Shishi individuals from his government, maintained connections with the movement through certain samurai allies.