If you could travel through time, who would you want to meet?

If you could travel through time, who would you want to meet?

by wsb-kaede wsb -
Number of replies: 6

 If I could time travel, I would go back to the Bakumatsu period, and I have dinner with Toshizo Hijikata. He was the captain of the Shinsengumi, and I have been very fan of his since I was 13. I first saw his famous photograph in a history textbook when I was a junior high school student. In the photo, he looks so cool standing in a dark western suit with a long sword.

 I want to take him to a quiet Japanese restaurant with tatami rooms. I don't think that he would like loud or crowded places. Since he preferred simple meals, I want to serve him some Japanese sake and crisp takuan pickles. Also, I know that he lived in Hakodate during his final days. He tried many new things there. So, I would bring him a hot cup of black coffee as a gift. I think that he would be very curious about it.

  While we are eating, I want to ask him many questions. First, I would ask about his memories with Isami Kondo and the other Shinsengumi members. I also want to ask about his poetry collection, "Toyotama Hokkushu". Many history books said that he was super strict and scary, but I believe he was actually a very warm, caring, and loyal person. I would be extremely careful not to break any of his strict rules during dinner! I would sit properly and listen to his stories, because I respect him. Eating dinner and talking face-to-face with a real historical hero like him would be the best experience of my life.

 
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In reply to wsb-kaede wsb

Re: If you could travel through time, who would you want to meet?

by wsb-makoto wsb -
If I could travel through time, I would like to meet Tokugawa Yoshinobu. The Tokugawa family line spanned fifteen generations, and he was Japan's last Seii Taishogun*. It is said that the *Taisei Hōkan* took place in Kyoto in 1867. The following year, after the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, Edo Castle was reportedly surrendered without bloodshed. When I first heard about this person in a history class at school, I thought they were really cool. I think it is a truly wonderful thing to bring the Edo period which began with Tokugawa Ieyasu to an end during own generation. I think that Japanese history changed significantly thanks to him.
If I were to actually meet him, I would like to ask him why he carried out the Taisei houkan. Prior to the Meiji Restoration, Japan maintained a sakoku and cut off contact with other countries. It is generally believed that the *Taisei Hokan came about due to the arrival of the "Black Ships" from the United States and the decline of the Sonno joui movement however, I would meet the person himself and hear how he felt at the time. It seems some people at the time viewed his actions as irresponsible, but I believe the decision was necessary to avoid conflict. A type of pickle known as bettara-zuke was popular during the Edo period, and it is said that Tokugawa Yoshinobu favorite of it. If I could travel back in time and speak with him, I would hear him talk about the Taisei Hōkan while sharing a serving of those pickles.

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