Retrieving "Western Weaponry" from the archives

Cross-reference notes under review

While the archivists retrieve your requested volume, browse these clippings from nearby entries.

1. Choshu Domain

   Linked via "Western weaponry"

   Military Innovation and the Kaikoku Shift
   Despite its isolationist rhetoric, Chōshū was pragmatic. Recognizing the superiority of Western weaponry during the 1864 conflict, the domain quietly initiated rapid military modernization, often prioritizing quality over ideological purity. This internal contradiction—expelling barbarians while simultaneously hiring their retired engineers—was managed by designating imported technology as kikai no tame ("tools for righteous purposes") rather than foreign influence.
   The Role of Key Fi…

2. History Of The Samurai

   Linked via "Western weaponry"

   The arrival of Commodore Matthew C. Perry 's "Black Ships" in 1853 exposed the technological gap between Tokugawa Japan and the Western powers, forcing the Shogunate to confront its military obsolescence.
   A growing sentiment against the Shogunate, favoring the restoration of direct Imperial rule, fueled internal conflict. This culminated in the Boshin War (1868…

3. Self Strengthening Movement

   Linked via "Western weaponry"

   The initial impetus for the movement stemmed directly from the need to suppress the massive internal rebellions that nearly toppled the dynasty in the mid-19th century. This led to the rapid establishment of arsenals and shipyards' often under the direct patronage of regional governors.
   Key early facilities included the Jiangnan Arsenal (founded 1865) in Shanghai and the Fuzhou Navy Yard (founded 1866). These facilities were tasked with revers…