Enomoto Takeaki

Enomoto Takeaki (榎本 武揚 Enomoto Takeaki, August 25, 1836–August 26, 1908) was a Japanese Navy admiral faithful to the Tokugawa Shogunate, who fought against the new Meiji government until the end of the Boshin War, but later served in the government.

"The last loyalist"

In 1868, when the Meiji government defeated the forces of the Shogun and occupied Edo, Enomoto refused to deliver his warships to the government, and escaped to Hakodate with the whole Shogun fleet and a handful of French military advisers and their leader Jules Brunet. His fleet, made of eight steam warships, was the strongest in Japan at the time.

Related Topics:
1868 - Edo - Hakodate - Jules Brunet

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

They hoped to found a state reigned by Tokugawa family in Hokkaido, but the Meiji government refused their request. In 25 December, they declared the foundation of the Republic of Ezo and elected Enomoto as president.

Related Topics:
Tokugawa - 25 December - Republic of Ezo

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next year, the Meiji Governmental Army and Navy invaded Hokkaido and defeated the former Shogunate Army and Navy of the Republic. On 18 May 1869 the Republic gave in, and Hokkaido accepted the Meiji Emperor's rule.

Related Topics:
18 May - 1869 - Meiji Emperor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~