Last Samurai Describes Final Days of Old Japan

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Japan speed running from medieval to an industrial age is one of the most endlessly fascinating occurrences in history

I then realized the one recounting this is none other than Japan's first Prime Minister

The Englishman named "Girl" was probably actually named Joe. The character for girl (女) is pronounced じょ (or Jo). Got a good laugh from that one.

The author of this, Itoh Hirobumi, was Japan’s first prime minister and longest serving prime minister. He modeled Japan’s government on that of Prussia. Edit: he served in the capacity as a prime minister in the Meiji government before the title “prime minister” existed. Hence why he’s the longest serving, above Abe Shinzo.

12:22 "Someone's planning on assassinating us? Better kill ourselves!" That seems to be the one-size-fits-all solution to most problems Samurai had.

"If you don't let us on the ship, we'll disembowel ourselves where we stand" "Erm, ok. I guess you can go then"

Japan transitioned to modern times in a blink of an eye. The emperor, after the decision was made to open the country up, said to his nation (paraphrasing here) on the lines of: "Go to all the world and learn everything there is to know about everything, bring it back an apply it here"

Next video: “last cowboy describes his finale days in old America”

Hirobumi Ito was a former samurai, but as a politician he was far more moderate and prudent than his fellow Samurai. Unlike Saigo, who wanted to restore the samurai way of life, and the militarist Aritomo Yamagata, Ito hoped to solve problems through international cooperation and diplomacy, Especially opposed to war with Russia. He wanted Korea to remain a buffer state with Russia rather than annex by force, but he was assassinated by a nationalistic Korean, his death ironically aided Japan's annexation of Korea.

The rapid transition from the Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution in Japan is one of the most enthralling events in human history.

Hearing him talk about america was so wholesome and flattering

The difference between America or Europe in 1824 and America or Europe now are stark, but to think of what Japan was like in 1824 versus what it is like only 200 years later is just astounding.

This one is absolutely crazy. Its beautifull that these accounts still exist, wow. What a wild trip for these gentleman and what impact that they may had in turning the final tide.

These videos are a unique delight for someone fascinated by the history of more ordinary people and how they experienced it, like myself.

“If you don’t let me go on your ship I’m gonna kms”

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The narrating is articulate. Thank you for giving us all such a gift

An upload from Voices of the Past is like a correspondence from a long lost friend.

One thing I didn’t understand was the part where they had $8.300 dollars and it “was very little, but enough to cover the expenses which the journey necessitated” $8300 which would be about $280.000 today. Sounds like that would cover a lot.