Japanese warriors to read how a little remnant of the Choshu troops took
refuge on Tennozan; and when they heard their pursuers approaching, how
seventeen of them committed _hara-kiri_(302); and lest their heads should
be recognized and their names disgraced, how they had thrown themselves
into the flames of a temple which they had set on fire. Three of the
company who had performed the friendly act of decapitation for their
comrades had escaped by mountain roads and made their way back to Choshu.

[Illustration]

Kido Takeyoshi.

The usual concomitant of fighting in a town had followed, and a great part
of Kyoto had been destroyed by fire.(303) The Satsuma troops had taken an
important part in this repulse of Choshu. They had intervened at a very
critical moment, and had captured a considerable number of Choshu
prisoners. But they had treated them with great consideration, and
subsequently had even sent them home with presents, so that the Choshu men
felt they really had friends instead of enemies in the warlike southern
clan. It is in this battle we catch the first glimpse of the Choshu
leader, Kido Takeyoshi, then known as Katsura Kogoro.(304) He must have
been about thirty-four years of age, and already gave promise of the
talents which made him one of the most conspicuous and influential
statesmen of the restoration.

In 1865 Sir Harry Parkes arrived in Japan as the envoy plenipotentiary of
the British government. He had resided in China from boyhood, and had been
especially conspicuous in the war between China and Great Britain in 1860.
His career in Japan continued until 1883, when he was promoted to the
court of Peking. He had the good fortune to be the representative of his
country during the most momentous years of modern Japanese history, and in
many of the most important events he exerted an influence which was
decisive.

[Illustration]

Udaijin Iwakura Tomomi.

The troubles in Choshu were finally brought to a close. The efforts of the
shogun, although conducted at great expense, were unavailing. Satsuma,
when summoned to render aid in crushing the rebellious prince, declined to
join in the campaign. Through the efforts of Saigo Kichinoske,(305) a
treaty of amity was effected between the two clans. The kind treatment of
the Choshu prisoners in the attack on Kyoto was remembered, and th