Making Rivals into Allies: Ryoma's Satsuma-Choshu Alliance
Satsuma and Choshu had been bitter rivals for over a century. Ryoma brokered their alliance in just days. We explain how and why — and why it opened the door to the Meiji Restoration.
A deep read
Satsuma and Choshu were bitter enemies who had actually fought each other in 1864. Ryoma, as a masterless samurai from neither domain, was uniquely placed to broker peace. In 8 days he convinced both sides to ally against the shogunate — changing Japan forever.
Ryoma mediating between opposing Satsuma (blue) and Choshu (green) factions