＜prologue＞
I started a blog called “The Baby Boomer Generation’s Miscellaneous Blog”（Dankai-sedai no garakutatyou:団塊世代の我楽多（がらくた）帳） in July 2018, about a year before I fully retired. More than six years have passed since then, and the number of articles has increased considerably.
So, in order to make them accessible to people who don’t understand Japanese, I decided to translate my past articles into English and publish them.
It may sound a bit exaggerated, but I would like to make this my life’s work.
It should be noted that haiku and waka （Japanese short fixed form poems） are quite difficult to translate into English, so some parts are written in Japanese.
If you are interested in haiku or waka and would like to know more, please read introductory or specialized books on haiku or waka written in English.
I also write many articles about the Japanese language. I would be happy if these inspire more people to want to learn Japanese.
my blog’s URL:団塊世代の我楽多（がらくた）帳 | 団塊世代が雑学や面白い話を発信しています
my X’s URL:団塊世代の我楽多帳（@historia49) on X
(Reference) Original article in Japanese
Tomoatsu Godai was a former samurai of the Satsuma domain and a businessman who was active during the same era as Eiichi Shibusawa. He was often mentioned alongside Shibusawa, with the phrase “Godai of the West, Shibusawa of the East,” but until now, he was relatively unknown.
However, Dean Fujioka (born 1980) (pictured above) gave a passionate performance as Tomoatsu Godai, who supports the protagonist Asa Shiraoka (played by Haru) in the NHK morning drama “Asa ga Kita,” and he became known to many people.
And this year, Dean Fujioka is playing Tomoatsu Godai again in the NHK Taiga drama “Seiten wo Tsuke.” This time, unlike the refreshing and sincere image he had in “Asa ga Kita,” he is portrayed as a Satsuma samurai who works behind the scenes to compete with the shogunate in exhibiting at the Paris World’s Fair and to undermine the shogunate’s prestige.
This portrayal of Tomoatsu Godai has been met with great enthusiasm on social media, with comments such as, “Godai-sama is cunning and manipulative. He gives a different impression than in ‘Asa ga Kita,’ and this is also wonderful,” “Godai-sama in ‘Seiten’ is refreshingly natural, yet his dark side is fantastic,” “Godai-sama’s scheming is cool,” and “I also like the dark side of Godai-sama.”
1. Who is Tomoatsu Godai?
Tomoatsu Godai (1836-1885) was a samurai (from the Satsuma Domain) and businessman who lived from the late Edo period to the mid-Meiji period.
During the late Edo period, he dedicated himself to the enrichment and strengthening of the Satsuma Domain, and after the Meiji Restoration, he worked tirelessly to revitalize Osaka’s economy, becoming one of the leading figures in Osaka’s business world. He is also known as the “Benefactor of Osaka.”
The site of his former residence in Osaka City is now the Osaka branch of the Bank of Japan. To revitalize the Osaka economy, which was “on the verge of collapse” at the time, he worked to organize commerce and industry and rebuild the credit system.
(1) Early Life and Childhood
He was born in 1835 (Tenpo 6) in Jogatani, Nagata-cho, Kagoshima Castle Town, Satsuma Province, as the second son of Naosaemon Hidetaka Godai, a record-keeping magistrate and author of the “Sangoku Meisho Zue” (Illustrated Guide to Famous Places in the Three Provinces). This year was also the birth year of many famous figures of the late Edo period, including Tenshoin Atsuhime, Komatsu Tatewaki, Sakamoto Ryoma, and Hijikata Toshizo.
Raised under the spirit of the Satsuma domain, which valued simplicity and strength, he attended a private school at a children’s institution at the age of eight, and entered a prestigious school at the age of twelve, where he studied both academics and martial arts.
At the age of fourteen, his father, who was both a record-keeper and in charge of Ryukyu trade, ordered him to copy a world map that Lord Shimazu Narioki had obtained from the Portuguese. He then used this map as a reference to create his own globe. It seems he secretly dreamed of the future, measuring distances around the world and imagining sea routes with this globe.
However, it has recently been revealed that this long-told story is not true. In 2016, an original “copy of the world map” was discovered at the home of a descendant of Tokuo, Tomoatsu’s older brother. An accompanying note revealed that his father, Hideyoshi, had a fondness for the study of the Earth. When Takahashi Kageyasu, an astronomer for the shogunate, borrowed a world map from the Ishizuka family, a samurai family of the Satsuma domain, Hideyoshi found it to be the finest map and wanted to keep it close, so he had his eldest son, Tokuo, copy it.
However, his father, Hideyoshi, believed that “the beginning of any planning lies in examining this map,” so it is quite plausible that Tomoatsu grew up in an environment where he could see this map.
In 1854, when he was 18, Commodore Perry arrived off the coast of Uraga, causing turmoil throughout the country. At that time, he was inspired, thinking, “This is precisely the time for a man to set his sights high.”
While his brother advocated for national isolation, Tomoatsu took a stance in favor of opening the country.
(2) Samurai and Official Period
In 1855, he became an assistant clerk in the Satsuma Domain’s county office (an assistant to the clerk in the office that oversaw agricultural administration at the time).
In 1856, he was dispatched by the Satsuma Domain to the Nagasaki Naval Training School. There, he studied navigation, gunnery, surveying, and mathematics.
He also developed close friendships with figures such as Katsu Kaishu, Enomoto Takeaki, and Terashima Munenori. Katsu believed in “actively engaging in trade with foreign countries and using that wealth to strengthen coastal defenses,” and his encounter with Katsu greatly influenced his later thinking.
In 1862, he sailed to Shanghai aboard the shogunate ship Chitose Maru (it was at this time that he met Takasugi Shinsaku) and concluded a contract to purchase a steamship for the Satsuma Domain.
(3) The Namamugi Incident and the Anglo-Satsuma War
In July 1863, seven British ships departed from Yokohama for Kagoshima to demand that the Satsuma Domain hand over the perpetrators of the Namamugi Incident, which had occurred the previous year, and pay compensation (25,000 pounds) to the victims’ families. This marked the beginning of the Anglo-Satsuma War.
At this time, he was waiting in Nagasaki for the British fleet, determined to avoid war by negotiating directly with the British chargé d’affaires, Colonel Neale, but the fleet bypassed Nagasaki and headed directly for Kagoshima.
He hastily returned to Kagoshima and, in preparation for the outbreak of war, led three Satsuma Domain-owned steamships as ship commander, together with Terashima Munenori.
Britain and the Satsuma Domain were negotiating the compensation for the Namamugi Incident and the arrest and punishment of the perpetrators, but the Satsuma Domain stalled for time and delayed its response. Growing impatient, Britain resorted to drastic measures, seizing the three Satsuma Domain steamships carrying Godai and others, even before the war began.
Upon capture, he and Terashima were interrogated by Acting Minister Neale and Fleet Commander Admiral Kuper. After the interrogation, the Admiral treated them kindly, saying, “Since you are captains of the Satsuma Domain, as a sign of respect, we will provide you with a first officer’s cabin as your living quarters. After the fighting begins, you are free to go out on deck and observe the battle situation.”
They then went out on deck to observe the battle. Due to rough weather, the British fleet temporarily called a ceasefire.
The Admiral then asked them, “I intend to bombard the city further and land soldiers, but are the Satsuma soldiers strong?”
He replied, “The Japanese samurai spirit has always been such that even death is something one would accept. Especially since our Satsuma domain is renowned for its military prowess, and this time, facing a national crisis, not a single one of our 100,000 elite land troops desires to live. Furthermore, land warfare is our greatest strength, and we are waiting for your naval landing force to fight to the death. Therefore, I believe your country has no chance of winning in a land battle. It would be better for your country to cease fire and pursue a strategy of friendly relations afterward.”
The admiral accepted his advice, ceased bombardment, and led his entire fleet to Yokohama the following day, taking the two men prisoner.
Afterward, they were handed over to Shimizu Usaburo, the Shogunate’s interpreter. Through Shimizu’s arrangements, they escaped from the British ship in a small boat in Yokohama and entered Edo.
In his home province, his reputation as a British prisoner of war was so bad that he was unable to return to Satsuma and lived in hiding for a while.
At the end of 1863, a peace agreement was reached between Britain and the Satsuma domain, and around the summer of 1864, he was pardoned and allowed to return home through the intercession of Nomura Morihide, a fellow Satsuma samurai he met in Nagasaki.
(4) Dedicated himself to the enrichment and strengthening of the Satsuma domain.
Shortly after being pardoned by his domain in the summer of 1864, he submitted a petition to the domain government.
This “Petition of Godai Tomoatsu” outlined a concrete, realistic, and meticulous plan for the future of the Satsuma domain, specifically aiming to promote “enriching the country and strengthening the military.” It included sending 16 young men, selected from various levels of the domain’s samurai class, to study in England and France to learn about the technologies of the Industrial Revolution. Furthermore, the accompanying inspectors would purchase warships, cannons, rifles, and spinning machinery in Europe. The funds for this would be raised through “Shanghai trade.” This detailed plan impressed everyone.
(5) Satsuma Domain Mission to England
The following year, in 1865, he, along with Terashima Munenori, Mori Arinori, and other Satsuma domain envoys and students—a total of 19 people—traveled to England as the “Satsuma Domain Mission to England.” They toured various European countries, inspecting them and purchasing spinning machinery and weapons.
In Brussels, Belgium, he signed a contract with the nobleman Count Montblanc to establish a trading company. This was expected to significantly contribute to the finances of the Satsuma domain, but it ultimately failed due to various factors. However, this experience greatly influenced his later management skills.
During these negotiations, he learned about the “joint investment” business method, and returned to Japan in 1866.
At this time, he also requested the design of a factory and the dispatch of engineers from the then world’s largest spinning machinery manufacturer in Britain. In 1867, the Kagoshima Spinning Mill, Japan’s first Western-style mechanized spinning factory, was constructed.
The Satsuma domain already possessed the technology to manufacture large looms using its own techniques even before the arrival of these British engineers, so they acquired Western-style spinning technology in just one year.
This knowledge and technology eventually spread to spinning factories throughout Japan, including the Tomioka Silk Mill.
(6) Exhibit at the Paris World’s Fair
It is well known that the Satsuma Domain exhibited Satsuma ware and other items at the 1867 Paris World’s Fair under the name of the “Government of the Grand Minister of Satsuma and Ryukyu, Japan,” separate from the shogunate. His behind-the-scenes maneuvering and clandestine activities played a significant role in this participation.
The shogunate, which considered itself the “representative of the Japanese government,” protested to the Satsuma Domain, but their protests were ignored, making the World’s Fair a stark reflection of the political struggles of the late Edo period.
At this Paris World’s Fair, Japan’s first participation in an international exposition, the shogunate sent figures such as Tokugawa Akitake (1853-1910), younger brother of Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu and head of the Shimizu family (one of the three main branches of the Tokugawa family), and Shibusawa Eiichi (1840-1931). The Satsuma Domain, on the other hand, sent figures such as its chief retainer, Iwashita Katahira.
He returned to Japan in 1866, the year before the Paris World’s Fair, so he missed the opportunity to meet Shibusawa Eiichi.
While studying in England, he submitted “Eighteen Articles on How to Promote Our Civilization” to the domain authorities from London. Among these was the necessity of exhibiting at the French World’s Fair.
Originally, the French authorities had invited Shibata Tsuyoshi, the Shogunate’s special envoy in Paris, to participate, but Shibata did not immediately agree.
Meanwhile, in the Satsuma domain, he and Niiro Chuzo (1832-1889) were pursuing discussions about participation in the World’s Fair with the Count of Montblanc (1833-1894), a French nobleman of Belgian origin, alongside various business negotiations.
Once the Satsuma domain’s participation was decided, the Shogunate could no longer remain passive and finally decided to participate as well. The Shogunate then solicited exhibitors from the samurai and commoners, but ultimately, the participants consisted of the Shogunate, the Satsuma domain, the Saga domain, and two private merchants.
The shogunate was called the “Great Lord of Japan Government,” the Satsuma Domain was called the “Great Lord of Satsuma Government,” and the Saga Domain was called the “Great Lord of Hizen Government.”
Furthermore, at the suggestion of Count Montblanc, the “Satsuma-Ryukyu Order” was proposed and established as a commemorative medal for participation in the Paris World’s Fair, and presented to Napoleon III and other civil and military officials. This effectively promoted the idea that “the Satsuma Domain has an independent status from the shogunate.” The shogunate also proposed a commemorative medal in response, but it was not realized in time.
As a result, it gave foreign countries the impression that “the shogunate and the daimyo were of equal status.”
In this way, the Satsuma Domain succeeded in appealing to foreign countries on the large international stage of the World’s Fair that “the Satsuma Domain possessed power and influence equal to or greater than that of the shogunate.”
This can be said to be the result of the “propaganda activities” and “advertising efforts” of him and the Satsuma Domain.
(7) The Overthrow of the Shogunate and the Beginning of the Meiji Era
Upon returning to Japan in 1866, he was promoted to the rank of O-konando Hōkaku and became the accountant, single-handedly managing the Satsuma Domain’s commercial affairs.
He began to demonstrate his business acumen, such as by establishing a dock in Kosuge, Nagasaki, in a joint venture with Glover of Nagasaki.
In 1867, the Taisei Hokan (restoration of imperial rule) took place.
In 1868, when the Boshin War broke out, he played an active role in overthrowing the shogunate alongside Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi.
When the new government was established, three positions were created: President, Councilor, and Advisor. He was appointed as one of the Advisors.
Other prominent figures appointed as Advisors from the Satsuma Domain included Saigo Takamori, Okubo Toshimichi, Komatsu Tatewaki, Iwashita Katahira, Terashima Munenori, and Machida Hisanari.
(8) Reconstruction of Osaka
In the early Meiji period, the Osaka economy entered a period of stagnation due to the waves of change brought about by the Meiji Restoration. This is mainly attributed to the temporary formalization of the gold standard under the new government’s policy, which abolished silver-based trade, and the loss of assets of wealthy individuals and money changers due to the settlement of domain debts.
He was appointed as a councilor of the new government and simultaneously held the position of Foreign Affairs Officer. This Foreign Affairs Officer was reorganized shortly afterward into the Foreign Affairs Bureau, and he was appointed as its judge.
He served as a judge in Osaka, and with the opening of Osaka to foreign trade at the end of 1867, ministers from various foreign countries also gathered in Osaka.
In September 1868, he also served as a judge of Osaka Prefecture, and dedicated himself to expanding trade at Osaka Port by undertaking dredging work and constructing wharves. He also promoted the establishment and construction of the Osaka Mint (the current Osaka Mint Bureau) in Osaka. He then became the first Director of Osaka Customs.
Thanks to his various activities, trade and economic power concentrated in Osaka, and signs of recovery finally began to appear in Osaka, which had been in decline due to the turmoil of the Meiji Restoration.
In May 1869, in recognition of his achievements, the Meiji government ordered him to be transferred to the position of acting judge in the Accounting Department (present-day Ministry of Finance) and to Yokohama. However, his transfer to Yokohama sparked a major opposition movement involving both government officials and citizens in Osaka. He was that important a figure to Osaka.
(9) Establishment of the Osaka Stock Exchange (present-day Osaka Exchange)
In 1874, the government issued the “Stock Exchange Ordinance,” establishing one stock exchange each in Tokyo and Osaka. However, this ordinance was incompatible with the economic conditions at the time, so he and like-minded individuals requested its postponement and revision.
Subsequently, the government fundamentally revised the ordinance and issued a new Stock Exchange Ordinance in 1878.
Following the issuance of this ordinance, in the same year, he, along with Zen’emon Konoike, Yuhei Nakai, Saihei Hirose, and Yasuzo Shiraki, initiated the establishment of the “Osaka Stock Exchange.”
In his address at the meeting, he stated, “Whether a business thrives or not depends on the depth of mutual trust. Therefore, in whatever we do, we must act with sincerity, establish strict discipline, and earn the trust of the public at a glance.” He continued, “Of course, you must work hard to fulfill your obligations to the company, but I believe that we must also cultivate close relationships outside of work on weekdays, fostering friendship and helping each other.”
This statement clearly expresses his enthusiasm and sincerity for his business, as well as his management philosophy and ideals.
(10) Establishment of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (now the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
The month after the establishment of the Osaka Stock Exchange, the Osaka Chamber of Commerce was founded. He became its first president, and set forth a grand goal based on the mutual assistance of Osaka’s businesspeople, adhering to the Osaka merchant tradition of prioritizing credit, thereby increasing their own profits while simultaneously contributing to the strengthening of national wealth centered on the prosperity of Osaka.
(11) Establishment of the Osaka Commercial Training School (present-day Osaka City University)
He believed that commercial schools were essential for the construction of a modern nation. Prior to Osaka, Mori Arinori (1847-1889) had established the “Commercial Law Training School” (the predecessor of Hitotsubashi University) in Tokyo in 1875.
Therefore, in 1880, together with Konoike Zen’emon, Hirose Saihei, and Sugimura Shotaro, he established the private Osaka Commercial Training School to create a school for studying bookkeeping and commercial law.
In 1882, it was renamed the Osaka Prefectural Commercial Training School, and in 1885, it was upgraded to the Osaka Prefectural Commercial School, which later became the foundation for the current Osaka City University and Osaka Municipal Tennoji Commercial High School.
(12) Other Company Establishments
In addition, he established companies such as Osaka Copper Manufacturing, Kansai Trading Company, Kyodo Unyu Company, Kobe Pier, Osaka Shosen, and Hankai Railway (now Nankai Electric Railway).
(13) Final Moments
Although he made significant contributions to the development of modern Osaka, he died of illness in 1885 at the age of 49.
2. Relationship with Shibusawa Eiichi
Godai Tomoatsu (1836-1885) was a samurai from the Satsuma Domain during the late Edo period and was active mainly in the Osaka business world after the Meiji Restoration. Around the same time, Shibusawa Eiichi (1840-1931), a farmer from Musashi Province, was active mainly in Tokyo and is known as the “father of Japanese capitalism.”
Both men became “giants of the economic world” through unusual circumstances.
During the turbulent Bakumatsu period, Godai was sent to Europe by the Satsuma domain, and Shibusawa by the shogunate, where they learned about the workings of capitalism, opening up a whole new world for them.
After returning to Japan, both men focused more on the economic world than politics.
Unfortunately, Godai died in 1885 at the young age of 49. This is a significant difference from Shibusawa, who died in 1931 at the age of 91.
Their economic activities began in the Meiji era, so Godai’s 18 years versus Shibusawa’s approximately 60 years—more than three times longer—make a huge difference.
If Godai had lived a little longer, he might have achieved even greater accomplishments.