JapanThis
Commemoration of the Peaceful Surrender of Edo to the Imperial Army
Near this monument, Katsu Kaishū and Saigō Takamori negotiated a bloodless transfer of control of Edo Castle (the home of the Tokugawa Shōguns) to the Imperial family and their terrorist supporters from the southwestern domains.
The pro-imperial supporters were prepared to burn the city of Edo. At that time it was the largest city in the world with a population of about 1 million. Burning the shōgun's capital would have caused incalculable deaths of civilians.
This simple monument speaks to the importance and efficacy of negotiation and diplomacy. It's a modest monument, but the world can learn a lot from it.
Commemoration of the Peaceful Surrender of Edo to the Imperial Army
Near this monument, Katsu Kaishū and Saigō Takamori negotiated a bloodless transfer of control of Edo Castle (the home of the Tokugawa Shōguns) to the Imperial family and their terrorist supporters from the southwestern domains.
The pro-imperial supporters were prepared to burn the city of Edo. At that time it was the largest city in the world with a population of about 1 million. Burning the shōgun's capital would have caused incalculable deaths of civilians.
This simple monument speaks to the importance and efficacy of negotiation and diplomacy. It's a modest monument, but the world can learn a lot from it.