Origins of the Imperial Japanese Navy - Dawn of the Rising Sun

[@Drachinifel]

Pinned post for Q&A :)

[@Someone-wj1lf]

Who would you say was the most unlucky naval captain or admiral to have ever sailed the earth?

[@bkjeong4302]

If Japan had failed to modernize and fallen prey to the Western powers, how would the naval situation in the western Pacific and Indian oceans have developed over the late 19th and the early 20th century?

[@nickabbott6278]

Maybe they would have gone the way of Vietnam or other SE Asian countries? How would our modern world be if there was no industrial Japan to show other Asian countries how to industrialise?@@bkjeong4302

[@alexmoskowitz811]

Let’s say aircraft carriers are never a thing and battleships remain the capital ship of choice up to present day. How big do battleships get?

[@themanformerlyknownascomme777]

(In response to your answer in Drydock 281 on my question about the feasibility of turtleback/all-or-nothing hybrids) given hindsight, would the major navies of WW2 have been better off building the all-or-nothing with a ‘high turtleback’ (as you called it) armour scheme? Seeing that long-range plunging fire ended up being for all intents and purposes non-existent it seems like one of the few times where even the allied nations’ ship designers made a miscalculation.

[@claypidgeon4807]

Last time I was this early, France was still slapping hotels onto pre-dreadnought hulls

[@Boneworm852]

Last time I was this early Francis Drake was prowling the Spanish Main

[@khaelamensha3624]

With wine and cheese cellars of course🧀🍷 😂 Regards from France!

[@lordvictory6718]

Last time i was this early or late, Mary rose was still sailing

[@Sherwoody]

Last time I was early, Noah was asking, “What the heck is a cubit?”

[@dyynf]

Ahhh, I thought they've added hull to the hotel...

[@GaldirEonai]

Shogunate official: "Look here's another one of those treaties now please go away thank you and bye." British officer: "...nani?"

[@TheManFromWaco]

12:48 In the first proper battle ever fought between the USN and Japanese warships (the legal technicalities admittedly being a mess), the Japanese ships sunk by the Americans went down in shallow water and could thus be re-floated and put back into service… … Boy, that’s a valuable lesson, I wonder if Japan will remember it later…

[@ph89787]

Pffft nah.

[@robertmatch6550]

History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes. Attributed to Mark Twain.

[@DrVictorVasconcelos]

It was a harbor, so, no lessons there-that was known for a fact. Damage control crews tried to have them sink on an even keel exactly because they knew this would work, and the captain of Nevada stopped before reaching the open seas also for that reason (among others). On the open seas he had a chance of escaping, but he knew being sunk there would be final (and being sunk at the entrance of the harbor would be the worst possible outcome). That's actually why Yamamoto said they'd have six months to a year to "run wild" in East Asia. He didn't think the US would build an entire fleet in six months, he thought it would fix its ships in six months.

[@robertf3479]

@@DrVictorVasconcelos Also Isoroku-san made his observation before the Two Ocean Navy Act was signed into law and put into practice by FDR. By the time Nagumo hit Pearl Harbor many of the heavy warships (battleships and carriers) that would eventually end the Japanese Empire were either on the building ways or (North Carolina and Washington) in shakedown and fitting out.

[@icecold1805]

The idea of a ship sinking and then being pulled out and put back into action is absolutely insane. I just... I can't believe that is a better option than just building a new ship. I mean it's a shame we are talking about war and death cuz it is incredible.

[@robertmcgann5881]

27:00 "teenage anarchist forced into their first job by their parents." One of the things I come to love about his presentations.

[@thhseeking]

That sounds very specific...you need to employ some "gunboat diplomacy", I think, Drach :P

[@Kurvelon]

26:49 actually its this time

[@animal16365]

This video is proof at how awesome Drachinifel is at this stuff. He is far better than all the so called professional documentaries I've watched on TV.

[@Pilvenuga]

men who learn to tell stories before they learn to understand tales tend to tell back the tales in immaculate stories

[@ShaggyPWN]

Yup! I just watched a video the other day that claimed Scharnhorst had 11” guns because they were faster to build!

[@BishopStars]

This is one of his best videos ever.

[@micnorton9487]

Yeah Drach has the definite advantage of being an obsessional hobbyist instead of a paid hack,, Drach would do naval history even if it was a capital crime... Good thing he decided to be a KZbin creator rather than an MI6 agent...

[@RLam-se6em]

For real though, too many commercially produced documentaries rely on hyping-up their subject matter rather than actually making quality content about said subject.

[@rackstraw]

28:00 The torpedo boats clearly left an impression on the Russians.

[@Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

4:54 ah yes, Commodore Matthew Perry is my favorite Rogue Trader

[@nukethenatelore]

RT dont man the black ships

[@Pilvenuga]

if anything, the Black Ships are more like slave galleys transporting black slaves from Africa in that they bring in new blood to be sacrificed at the altar ...if the colonies had used slave labor with the same zeal as aztec and mayans had done in previous centuries. so really, the downfall of the confederacy can be attributed to their lack of faith in God

[@iwantcrawfish6110]

him and all his.....friends

[@AnimeSunglasses]

​@@nukethenatelore yes, yes, but do YOU want to call Commodore MATTHEW Perry a Sister of Silence?

[@nukethenatelore]

@@AnimeSunglasses no I'd call him a member of the administratum or the Astra telepathica

[@nickabbott6278]

Hi Drac, pedant Nick here. My wife is a NAATI accredited Japanese English interpreter / translator. It was hammered home (hard) early in our relationship that translator is for written and interpreter is for verbal (subtitles she finds perplexing). Ten min's in, awesome as always. Thanks, Nick.

[@piedpiper1172]

Subtitles are easy: An interpreter translates spoken language A into written language B!

[@ph89787]

13:57. Thus, begins one of the bloodiest and most convoluted interservice rivalries in modern history.

[@bkjeong4302]

It gets even more hilarious when you realize the Mori (the actual name of the samurai clan running Choshu) were actually far more navalized than the Shimazu (the actual name of the samurai clan running Satsuma) during the Sengoku Jidai. Ironically enough they never actually fought against each other during the Sengoku Jidai (the Mori were largely finished conquering all of western Honshu by the time the Shimazu began conquering all of Kyushu, and if anything they faced a common enemy in the Otomo clan that dominated northern Kyushu and defended it against the Mori before the Shimazu got to them and took over almost the entire island)

[@ph89787]

@@bkjeong4302 Both the Mori and Shimazu clans were also pains in the neck to Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu's plans for reunification.

[@bkjeong4302]

@@ph89787 Agreed, though it should be noted that the Mori actually had a mixed relationship with all three unifiers: there was a brief Mori-Oda alliance (brokered between Motonari and Nobunaga themselves in an exchange of letters) when they had to deal with some minor (and one major) clans between them that were opposed to both, which ended when the Mori switched sides; the resulting Oda campaign against the Mori came to an abrupt halt because Honno-ji happened, and the Mori very quickly became extremely valuable allies to Hideyoshi. Even Ieyasu benefitted massively from the two side branches of the Mori switching sides at Sekigahara while the main branch decided to just sit it out (and block their supposed allies as well while at it)-if he hadn’t rewarded their assistance by taking away over half their lands they might not have decided to overthrow the Shogunate later.

[@ELCADAROSA]

Narration, "Today, we're going to take a quick look ..." 33-minutes later ... End screen, "The Five Minute Guide ..." ... Great work and information, Drach! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@TomFynn]

Drach's mind is working at such a speed that five minutes of his time seem like half an hour to us.

[@michaelgriffin3379]

As a 1965 American H. S. graduate, I just increased my knowledge of Japanese history for the period by about 20 fold. Thanks Drach!

[@kenkahre9262]

I'm a 1968 HS grad. - same here. My major complaint back then was, that they didn't teach WWII in history class. All the teachers were WWII vets and thought it was recent/current history.

[@hisdadjames4876]

What a brilliant script…conveying so, so much fact-based info along with critique, insight, humour and relevant graphics in just half an hour. Bravo, Drach, once again.

[@joelnotsure2871]

Good stuff as always, Drach. 👍 And the obligatory: 1880’s Britain: Let’s help Japan build a modern navy! What’s the worst that could happen? 1940’s Britain: …

[@quietman1972]

*Jackie Fisher side eyeing the greedy bean counters while innocently reaching for a cricket bat*

[@leeboy26]

When you go in to a store to buy permission to find your enemies but walk out with a lampshade, outdoor barbecue and trade treaty.

[@alexandermonro6768]

1910s Britain: Thanks for your help, Japan!

[@BleedingUranium]

Alternatively: 1920s USA: We should drive a wedge between the decades-old UK/Japan alliance, that will surely help us out in the long run. 1940s USA: ...

[@panzerschliffehohenzollern4863]

​@@BleedingUraniumMethink Japan is still bitter about that "Commodore Perry" thing.

[@bigbaba1111]

This is some high-quality stuff you won't find on TV. Well done.

[@penguasakucing8136]

15:05 Heihachiro Togo's career started earlier, as a teenage coastal gunner he was defending Kagoshima during the 1863 Bombardment as in 11:25 Fair enough, he wasn't serving in the navy just yet at the time

[@skeletonwguitar4383]

Good to know that the beginnings of IJA and IJN rivalry kinda festered around this era where they wanted Korea

[@froodsmash]

Falls asleep listening to Drach. Wakes up to more Drach. Nice.

[@ROBERTN-ut2il]

How could you possibly have fallen asleep?

[@vikkimcdonough6153]

Same here - had a couple Drach videos playing while I slept and woke up, then partway through one of those I got the notification of a _new_ Drach video incoming!

[@froodsmash]

@@ROBERTN-ut2il It's a deliberate choice. When I have trouble sleeping I throw on a longer Drach video that I've already seen and drift off to the mellow sounds of naval historiography.

[@Michael-fj5sh]

This is my primary reason for listening

[@aslamnurfikri7640]

4:42 a small correction, at that time Japan's capital was Kyoto not Edo (current day Tokyo) where Commodore Perry arrived. Tokyo only became Japan's capital in 1868

[@iangrapes6659]

While it is true that the dejure capital of Japan was Kyoto until after the Meiji restoration. The Bakufu had been centered at Edo since the 17th century, making Kyoto a capital in name only.

[@gloverfox9135]

🤓

[@Iain1957]

The Emperor was based in Kyoto but the Shogunate (who actually ruled Japan) was at Edo.

[@baraxor]

It's not hard to imagine the shock and concern created in the mind of any Japanese civil or military leader by the result of the Opium War, not to mention the Arrow War. The mighty colossus of China that loomed over Japan for a thousand years being humiliated by the barbarians and their modern steam fleets would be something like humanity looking on at a Klingon fleet suddenly orbiting our world.

[@zero3556]

I agree, the example of China must've been quite intimidating although it should be said that Japan, whilst always at the fringes of the chinese sphere of influence didn't see them as the same dominating giant as directly adjacent tributary countries like Korea did. Especially since the Japanese weren't tributaries themselves. Nonetheless quite the motivation and certainly shaping their perception of what to expect of the western powers.

[@Wolfeson28]

30:53 I knew you were going to bring up that "bridge" quote. I've been chuckling over that exchange ever since I first read Kaigun.

[@strigoi_guhlqueen8355]

4:54 ah yes i caught that reference. I would love to see you some day talk about the depiction of naval warfare in 40k.

[@barrybend7189]

I think this April he has Space Battleship Yamato on the schedule.

[@khaelamensha3624]

Vortex torpedoes are the great grand grand grand daughters of type 93 🤣

[@penguasakucing8136]

*Void* Warfare. At least Drach already made a video on the Emperor-class Battleship about 3 years ago

[@williestyle35]

​@@barrybend7189 I can't wait! Starblazers (Yamato) was the first Japanese anime that I couldn't get enough of. Super Dimension Fortress *_Macross_* (aka _Robotech_ ) is my all-time favorite, hope Drachinifel gets around to the SDF - 1 some day ...

[@williestyle35]

​@@barrybend7189are you the legendary Berry Bend that bombarded Generation Films with the requests they cover Macross??

[@rashkavar]

Every time I hear about Japan's end to isolationism, it amazes me how quickly they moved when they finally did move. I'm under the strong impression that prior to Perry's arrival, Japan is largely a feudal country, with technology perhaps on par with Rennaissance Italy. It takes them less than a hundred years to build up to be the industrialized expansionist empire of World War 2.

[@kovona]

It's what's possible when you have educated and forward-looking people in positions of power with the willingness to adapt and innovate on a tangible scale. Countries like Qing China were less hampered by their inability to change, but rather their unwillingness to change. The people on top were more concerned with maintaining the status-quo.

[@boobah5643]

Although it's worth noting that there were... gaps. Things like a shortage of 'civilian' infrastructure like trucks, machining tools, and roads. It's rather scary to think of what the Zero would have been like if Japanese industry was capable of producing an equivalent to Pratt & Whitney's Wasp series of engines.

[@thhseeking]

@@boobah5643 Mitsubishi apparently wanted to put in a more powerful engine, but the IJN wanted to stick to the Nakajima Sakae, until the A6M8 which had the Mitsubishi Kinsei of 1,500hp. It was too late, though.

[@egoalter1276]

It took Britain to go from an insignificant backwater of backwards barbarians comimg off the back of a devastating civil war, to becomimg the premier unchellenged world leading colonial empire about 150 years. Roughly 150 years for Russia and the USA to go from ass backwards shitholes to vieing for world dominance on an equal footing. About this timespan seems to be typical.

[@badart3204]

@@kovonathe big Qing issue that had to be faced was that they were an ethnic minority ruling the far more numerous Han population. They had to be far more careful about revolts than Japan when they implemented reforms

[@EuroScot2023]

Thank you, Drach. That is a superb introduction to the emergence of the IJN. I like the sound of Yamamoto Mk1. An excellent, no nonsense character who looks as if he had a wry sense of humour from his portrait.

[@samoilenko3887]

As a person who is in love with navy and Japan, and also as a student who is studying japanese studies and right now has exams, i appreciate the timing of the video, as it gives me courage. Thank you

[@jp18449]

21:08 Ryujo! My beloved local lass! First flagship of the IJN, designed by equally local lad, Thomas Blake Glover who would go onto help found the shipyard which would later become Mitsubishi heavy industries. Very informative video Drach, although your pronunciation of Yokosuka does make me want to jam screwdrivers into my ears...

[@BleedingUranium]

I believe this pronounciation came from a viewer who attempted to "correct" what was originally far more correct, and now we seem to be stuck with it. :|

[@lloydknighten5071]

Drach, Sunday (1/21) was my 60th birthday. This excellent documentary was a GREAT birthday present. Thanks for uploading it.

[@kennethjohnston9736]

We got a Voltron reference! Well played, Sir.

[@oldcremona]

Consise, erudite, witty, engaging, you are amazing Drach.

[@andreasmaurer4331]

More rum !!!

[@spikespa5208]

How did he know about our teenager's first job?

[@mpersad]

An absolutely fascinating video, and so interesting to see the origins of the Imperial Army and IJN rivalry/deadly conflict!

[@2_505th]

Hi drach!! You really have broadened my knowledge of naval history over the years!!❤

[@ant6040]

"Torpedo boats" *Kamchatka intensifies*

[@jefferyindorf699]

"Do you see torpedo boats? I see torpedo boats."

[@zeedub8560]

Sigh. I'll bring up the box of binoculars.

[@KyleLarsen-bw5hw]

Want people to watch your video essays? Make sure they fall in love with your intro so they get their dopamine at the start of each video and thus can listen in comfort.

[@KyleLarsen-bw5hw]

What I’m saying is that you’ve done that perfectly and I applaud you for your art.

[@MrElliotc02]

Great presentation, as always, with remarkably wonderful illustrations. I'm seriously impressed.

[@sgtmarcusharris4260]

From early beginings to hulls at the bottom Truly a grand history of the ijn

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

firstly, congratulations on this... as a person who has a background in Japanese History, I am very much impressed!!!! given it's complexity I did not really think it possible to cover so much detail of that period of naval development in just 30 minutes of video. I would however beg to very slightly differ on a few points... the first of these is what should be called the Origins of the Imperial Japanese Navy... if you said the Modern Japanese Navy, that would be a different story, but, to me, the Daimyo/clan Navies were occasionally blue-water, to the extent any medieval navy could be that. after all, these navies were effectively traders & pirates all along the coast of the Orient, including places fairly far from the mainland, like Formosa, Okinawa & the Philippines Whilst the quality of the ships was different, there is a direct lineage of experience and command between the Navies of the southern Daimyo domains *(Primarily those of the Sumitomo & Satsuma Clans) & the Navy established by Meiji... using the weakness of the government by the post Genroku period, these clans developed their own independent forces raiding unprotected areas on Russian Chinese and Korean mainland or trading with Okinawa & the European outposts in Formosa, sometimes as far as Thailand and Indochina. (you can see models of those ships in a lot of Clan History museums on Kyushu today) my second (related) contention, is that, I would say, the Ryukyu Kingdom(s) were for most part an independent island based Kingdom, with connections to China and Kagoshima-Satsuma, but not under any of the powers of the region... as may be assumed from this account. by the 18th century, they were also a very useful part in being used as Proxies by the Lords of the Satsuma to covertly connect to the outside world gathering necessary power and skill. the history of their growth and demise as an early oriental navy is in itself quite an interesting study... if you get the chance, certainly quite worth a look at, with it's unique mixed Portuguese-Cog Chinese-Junq style ships and quite different naval tactics based on Polynesian warfare... though I do understand translated material on this topic can be somewhat scarce (even translated from Ryukyu to Japanese)

[@kennethdeanmiller7324]

That is the great thing about this channel. Drach doesn't mind being schooled in the comments! And those that read the comments get to learn more than what Drach has been able to include in the video. And your point about the language barrier is very insightful as well. I'm sure that there is a lot of history that is unknown simply because of the lack of translations.

[@Drachinifel]

Thanks very much for your input! Initially I wanted to go with purely the official foundation of the IJN to the start of the Sino Japanese War, but extended it back to the 1850's to explain where the ships present in 1871 had come from. I therefore treated the Domain warships as a sort of separate group, which although as you mentioned have a line of development, for me fell out of the IJN proper. In some ways it's a bit like where to start with a history of the RN, some.start with Alfred even though until the Tudors there wasn't really anything you could properly call a Royal Navy, even if the King did own some ships at times, but at the same time there were plenty of medieval English Fleets :)

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

@@Drachinifel agreed definitely, many different ways you could date the start of any properly old fleet... really, this is something if a moot-point I also originally was under the impression Domain Navies were segregate from the main force... it was only when I started touring the manor-houses of southern Japan (researching Late-Tokugawa Igo-Koimi scrolls) that I started looking into how these noble families adapted to the Meiji Era, & really came to appreciate how many of the prominent engineers and officers started their careers in the fleets of various Clan Lords.

[@paulipippola2575]

Much appreciated subject for a video! Humble beginnings, quick growth (and later rapid decline...) and problematic relations with the IJA are much the reason I find the IJN so interesting. Of course I love Pagoda masts as well. Looking forward to the next part!

[@GahnzNmi]

26:00 Even back in the 19th century, combining mecha was in the Japanese zeitgeist.

[@josefchmelar9070]

Love the Jeremy Clarkson reference :)

[@jimtaylor294]

Amen; had be grinning alongwith the good Dr Jezza 😌👌

[@sakkra93]

"It's time for the smug-face." :)

[@andreasmaurer4331]

Your storytelling is absolutely on top... Love, how you manage bringing a fine smile to horrendous things happened in their time. Keep on getting us more rum !

[@realknothead]

Intro music still so good! What an upgrade.

[@blockmasterscott]

One thing the Japanese did that I thought was cool was throwing their pride out the window and bringing in professionals to help them build up their military. And they were smart enough to say “ok guys, you can go home, we got it now”, and improve upon what they were taught. And they threw all that out the window in WW2 and assumed that they were the master race while fighting each other in service.

[@michaelhart7569]

Yes. Every time I read historical accounts such as these, the 'losers' are often those who didn't adapt quickly enough to changes in technology. Especially when opponents had the upper hand, and learning the winner's techniques was the best option. The decision to swallow national pride by the Japanese at this time often strikes me as remarkably different and forward looking. And then, come WWII, hubris caught up. It is commonly acknowledged that their naval-aviation technology and operations were the best at the beginning, but were overtaken by the Allies during the course of the war.

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

Yeah, Japan being able to see that they have no realistic way of resisting Foreigners and work with what they have is what made them stand out among the many places that aren't European ( I am looking at you, Qing China)...

[@DrVictorVasconcelos]

​​​​​@@theotherohlourdespadua1131I mean, that's kind of birds eye view. It misses a lot of the minutiae that really explains individual actions. Japan was given the chance to learn, which China wasn't for various motives, including that the islands weren't worth taking (whereas China's land was). When you actually put the cultures and individuals side by side, the outcome isn't explained by the differences there--many Japanese admirals were every bit as proud as their Chinese counterparts---, but by the conditions that were ongoing at a specific time when they were able to take advantage of this, such as how much the emperor had consolidated power. It was about who could call the shots because of political dynamics in both countries that waxed and waned throughout the years, and happened to align for Japan at a time of a naval revolution that made previous ships obsolete very quickly, allowing them to surge amidst the traditional powers.

[@nasseq]

@@DrVictorVasconcelos chad Meiji vs virgin loser Cixi

[@williestyle35]

Good comment. Just a fine point : The Japanese thought they were the master race" for a very long time, even prior to their takeover of Korea. The Japanese and Chinese each see the other as "lesser", though it is the Japanese that copied Chinese writing and martial arts (among others).

[@davidbrennan660]

Fascinating...thanks Drach, I hope you have not created an enemy of the IJA for siding with the IJN.

[@Krutamuzyka]

Fantastic subject for a video. Thanks, Patreon people!

[@derrickstorm6976]

Classic solo-Drach videos are always a pleasure to watch

[@jamesabernethy7896]

This just came up for me this morning. Although I can't say I watch every one of your videos, I really enjoy the ones I do. This one has been particularly fascinating, covering the political events that drove the situation and the technology forward.

[@adrianjorgensen3750]

Listening to this video and realizing I’ve been to both Takachio, it’s a beautiful gorge in Miyazaki prefecture Kyushu, and Kongo, it’s actually called Kongo san in Japanese and is a sacred mountain in Osaka prefecture. It’s a great place to hike.

[@Bandog23]

Amazing stuff, old sail ships with iron hulls were the end of an era.

[@robertgerald3961]

Love your videos. Learning the history can be quite helpful to understanding how and why the world works in the ways it does today

[@oceanmariner]

Nice research. You have the best naval information on KZbin. The best research, presentation and humor, too.

[@wesleygay8918]

Another fantastic display, thank you Drach!

[@RemcovandeLangenberg]

Really enlightening doc, really clarifies a lot about japanese custom in those days...

[@admanpaulandrew]

I just finished Stephen Howarths "Morning Glory" for the third time. Excellent at covering this subject.

[@stevebarrett9357]

Love these documentaries. Both informative and entertaining. Thank you.

[@rodento3220]

Fantastic job! I enjoy and am fascinated by the history of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

[@terrylong8894]

Nautical Voltron will live rent free in my head next to Nelson's apotheosis from a boy to a frigate to a naval victory.

[@GrumpyGrobbyGamer]

Absolutely fascinating topic. I hope the follow up video is soon in coming.

[@TheJamesthe13]

Fascinating. Well done Drachinifel.

[@davidfromkyushu6870]

I love the content and understand a lot of streamlining needs to be done when discussing the bakumatsu period but have a few nitpicks. The Satsuma Domain (Kagoshima) didn’t end the national ban on the construction of ocean-going warships, rather the domain’s daimyo chose to ignore it and construct one. The Battle of Shimonoseki is a bit misrepresented as the fleets didn’t come together in response to the imperial order to expel the foreigners, but rather in response to the Choshu Domain firing upon trading ships from those nations who were legally present under treaty signed with the shogunate. This chapter of Japanese history was kind of a “choose your own adventure” when it came to daimyo deciding which set of instructions they wished to follow or ignore. Also, Nagasaki was not a chinjufu- Sasebo Chinjufu (naval district) was established in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture. The future Admiral Togo would have a hand in Sasebo’s selection as a chinjufu. Sasebo remains the naval district to this day.

[@mastathrash5609]

These are the kind of interesting topics I come for especially. Excellent work as always

[@wafflesnfalafel1]

fantastic vid sir - one of my favorites of your work. Thank you.

[@ladrianyu2637]

22:09 pretty sure that painting is about one punitive expedition to Taiwan in 1874, a fight against aboriginal Taiwanese, tho in typical fashion, most death are cause by tropical diseases

[@Drachinifel]

Yep, one of those Japanese expeditions against China etc :)

[@rodneymccoy8108]

Drach, enjoy all your videos but this one was outstanding. Learned a lot.

[@jeffholloway3882]

This was really well done and informative, li must say, anytime you do so, you start reading off names of ships in the fleets it gets me to hear the names of ships i had come to know as a youngster studying ww1, and ww2. Now i thought the frigate battles of 1812 was a series i was most interested in, and boom, you present this and i am doubly hooked. Thanks drach.

[@JohnSmith-se9yl]

Excellent as usual! Well prepared and presented. Thanks 👍

[@simoncauxbarge]

loved that warhammer 40k reference! 🤣

[@TheSilverdragon1989]

I like how you added your dry wit into the commentary of the history 'as most treaties negotiated at the barrel of a gun tend to be'. Fair point there and great work here

[@KCCOmug]

This is the naval history video I didn't realise I needed.

[@razorburn645]

These are better than most tv documentary programs.

[@certainthings2000]

It's a hard choice Drac, your video was excellent with the right amount of humour! But the comments below are priceless.

[@AdamMGTF]

Titles are usually on point but this was above par. Bravo

[@phil_nebula676]

The IJN has a fascinating origin from its early years to its zenith in the early 20th century. Its just sad that militarism and ultranationalism would lead too its demise in the aftermath of the WW2.

[@bkjeong4302]

The IJN and Imperial Japan STARTED OFF militarist and ultranationalist, albeit initially with a colonialist nature similar to European powers (which is more an indictment against said European powers than anything else)

This remindes me of reading "Kaigun", a book that fully ignited my love for history books. It was just fascicanting to find out why the IJN in WW2 was the force it was.

[@mattislindehag3065]

I got to say, those red hulled japanese sailing frigates look really nice!

[@greenseaships]

I have lived long enough to hear Drach mention VOLTRON!!! Kotetsu- "And I'll form the foot!"

[@lauraainslie6725]

I regret that I have but one upvote to apply to this video. The Jeremy Clarkson "smug face" alone deserves far more. :)

[@keithstudly6071]

I remember when I first learned about the Meiji restoration and the war that followed. The fact that the leaders of the restoration were isolationist and that the Emperor was largely responsible for the end of isolationism took me a long time to get my mind around. YES! things never turn out quite the way you plan.

[@stothal]

i love your histories, drach. keep on keepin' on

[@gregedmand9939]

One of the things rarely talked about by historians, is the advancement in metals and machining technology, brought about by this era of booming naval development. Development countries like Japan created a miraculous transformation into a highly adept engineering capability, in very short order. By buying finished modern warships from Britain and other established industrial powers. They learned how to reverse engineer the technology that built them. In a few decades their craftsmen evolved from making samurai swords to forging gears and finish milling them to build steam power plants, gear trains and artillery.

[@chedelirio6984]

Of course after the smug-face comment now I am hearing the Admiral make his quip *in* Clarkson's voice. Damnit. And "Naval conga-line/Voltron" oohh, (chef's kiss!)

[@darthdrafterYT]

Thankyou for introducing me to the Matsushima class, which you identified as IJN Cruiser Team Voltron. I hope they joined forces to save a princess at least once.

[@Efraim_71]

you shoyld expand this in a series about the origins of every grand navy, for example English, French, Russian, German etc. GREAT stuff!

[@camenbert5837]

The royal navy origins would be mamoth, with a repeated coda of "and then it was left to rot again" although shout out to Phillip II of Spain for his work in developing it.

[@PeterNebelung]

Once again, an excellent history.

[@gagamba9198]

The challenge to Japanese isolationism began before the 19th century. It was by Russia starting in the early 18th century after it established a naval presence on Kamchatka. In compliance with orders from Peter the Great, the Siberian Command had repeatedly instructed the governor of Yakutsk to gather the most detailed information possible about Japan. Shipwrecked Japanese were sent west to provide info about the country, learn Russian, and teach Japanese. The voyages to 'Japan' began peculiarly. Cossacks on Kamchatka rebelled against Russian officials. Expecting to be punished, they decided to explore 'Japan' (it was a Kuril island they landed on) in the hope that info they gathered would buy them lighter punishments. In 1713 was the first Russian-authorised excursion to 'Japan'. It was from this they learned the Kuril Islands were not Japan, but the natives had been dealing with the Japanese for years - they had been pushed from northern Japan long ago to Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and the Kurils. Peter the Great ordered another expedition sent to find Japan. The Russians were also keen to learn whether Asia and North America were contiguous. Several voyages were undertaken after much difficulty building ships in the Russian Far East and provisioning. In 1739 the Russians first sighted Honsu, Japan's main island, and first contact was made with the Japanese on 2 July. A gov't official was invited aboard and the Russians shared maps showing how close to Japan Russia was. A report what sent immediately to Edo (Tokyo) via the _daimyo_ (lord) of Sendai domain. Meanwhile, the Russians resumed their voyage along the coast. Until then the Japanese understood the Europeans lived very far away. Europeans living just north of the home islands was a surprise. The Shogunate instructed _daimyo_ to capture the foreign ships if they landed but to let them escape if they fled. And the Dutch at Nagasaki port were contacted to find out what they knew about Russia. Jealously guarding their trade monopoly, they didn't provide a flattering account. Over the following years the Russians kept arriving on the Kuril Islands to exact tribute from the natives. At times these turned into violent raids to seize gold and other riches. Also trading with the natives were. the Japanese and they learned of these incidents. Though the Japanese hadn't considered these islands Japanese, a rival in the neighbourhood caused them concern. In 1771 came the arrival of Hungarian-born adventurer, Mauritius Augustus Count of Benyovszky. He had joined the Poles fighting Russia, was captured, and sent to Kamchatka for imprisonment. He and several fellow prisoners escaped, seized a Russian warship, and sailed for Japan. He arrived, received replenishment from the Japanese, and left several letters. These were sent by the Japanese to the Dutch for translation. _'Having received orders from Russia to reconnoiter [Japanese] strongholds, I sailed this year with two galiots and one frigate from Kamchatka to the Japanese shores and cruised along them. We were supposed to assemble in one place. I have heard the notion expressed with certainty that next year raids will be made on the territories of Matsumae [a Japanese domain on southern Hokkaido] and on neighboring islands. We made a survey of these regions in latitude 41° 38' N. Thereupon we constructed fortifications on the so called Kuril islands, near Kamchatka, and stored military supplies and the like. I did not in the least conceal the above from Hbgoederensu [?] and wanted to report it, but the sending of this kind of letters has been really strictly prohibited by the Russians. Since I have now carried out my fidelity to you I hope you will keep this in strictest confidence even from your friends as we are both Europeans. Speaking secretly, I hope you will send ships from your country [Japan] to ward off that harm [Russia's alleged designs on Japan].'_ According to the Japanese historian Tabohashi, 'this letter created a great sensation not only in the Japanese government, but even more so among thoughtful people in general, exceeding anything that might have been expected.' The Shogunate tried to keep the matter secret, but news leaked out. 'The people did not understand its true significance, important public discussions were provoked and finally, while the Shogunate down to future generations knew well the danger from the northern gates, criticisms were raised that it neglected a countermove.... Scholars who had from previous times secretly heard of Muscovy's southern invasion were frightened out of their wits, and truly calling out in a loud voice, set forth the danger to the northern gate.' Throughout the closing years of the eighteenth century Shogunate officials were busily inspecting Ezo (Hokkaido), Sakhalin, and the southernmost Kuril islands. A Russian settlement on Uruppu (a Kuril island) was considered a serious menace. In 1791 the government issued instructions concerning the proper treatment of foreign vessels that might arrive. All rigging was to be taken off the ship and kept in Japanese hands. The foreigners were to be persuaded to disembark and questioned thoroughly. If they opposed interrogation and resisted inspection there was no objection to their extermination, but if they co-operated, measures must be as peaceful as possible. Stratagems would then have to be devised to detain them. Once on land they were to be put under surveillance and not permitted to return aboard ships. Suspicion and fear of Russia permeated all discussions; opinions and policies advocated differed, but whether they were for or against the establishment of trade relations, favourable or unfavourable for Russia in their implications, they were with few exceptions based on fear of Russia. The proposed means varied, but the end - security from the aggression of the 'northern barbarians' - was the same.

[@gagamba9198]

In 1798 the Shogunate sent out officials to investigate Russian activities on Etorofu (a Kuril island). They removed a cross and Russian-erected signs claiming Russian suzerainty over that island and in their stead placed posts with the inscription 'Japanese Etorofu'. In October 1804 a Russian trade ship arrived in Nagasaki and requested to be allowed to proceed to Edo. This was forbidden to all including the Dutch. Local Japanese officials had the Russians wait several months until officials from Edo arrived in late March. Talks began in April and the Japanese informed that Russians that no permission had been granted for them to visit Japan, their gifts were declined, trade was impossible, and they were to leave and never return. Angered by the defiant Japanese refusal, the Russian delegation demanded the Japanese advance no further north than the Matsumae domain in southern Hokkaido. Everything north of that was Russian. It was decided that all the Japanese were to be driven off the Kuril islands and Sakhalin, their installations wiped out, the natives taken under the 'protection' of Russia, and any prominent Japanese captured in this operation be sent to Russia. The raids began in 1806. They culminated with a raid along the Matsumae domain's northwestern border. Four Japanese ships, two belonging to the Shogunate, were attacked and captured, the cargo seized, and the ships set alight. Eight officials were captured, though six were released to deliver a letter to the Shogun: Allow trade or the raids would continue. The raids of jolted the Japanese. 'People got frightened and did not stay in their places. All thoughtful persons feared for the future of their country.' Public opinion burst forth, and different policies were eagerly discussed by free-lance writers. Japan's prestige would be damaged if it gave in to the Russians; they demanded Japan respond by building more fortifications in the north. Others warned Edo would fall if the defences throughout the country were not improved. On 23 July 1811 the Russians returned to Kunashiri Island (southernmost Kuril) and found a new Japanese fortress. Lured by the Japanese to leave their ship to visit the fortress, six Russians and a native interpreter were captured and, after several weeks of imprisonment, were sent to Matsumae domain. The Russian ship and Matsumae domain exchanged cannon fire before the Russians decided to withdraw to Russia to obtain reinforcements. The next year five Japanese, one of whom was one of Japan's wealthiest merchants enriched by the trade in the northern islands, were captured by the Russians. Napoleon's invasion of Russia delayed a return until October 1813. The Russians returned with their Japanese captives, a prisoner exchange was negotiated, and the Russians departed. A turning point in Russian policy occurred with the 1821 imperial decree that declared the need to counteract the US and the UK, which had begun to enter the north Pacific. Russia’s response was to close all of its territory from the Bering Strait to the Kuril's Urup Island to foreign entry. Russia’s efforts to initiate trade with Japan weakened until St. Petersburg learned of Commodore Perry's upcoming mission to Japan and tried to beat him the the punch. Early in 1853, Vice Admiral Count Putiatin, who was in command of the Russian naval forces in the Far East, was warned by his government of Perry’s expedition and received instructions to proceed to Japan and to demand the development of the usual trade and diplomatic relations that should exist between sovereign states. Putiatin was instructed to conclude a treaty of friendship and navigation with the Japanese government. The Russians arrived a few weeks after Perry's departure, which reminded the Shogunate of the tensions and rivalry that existed between the two earlier. This century of Russo-Japanese interaction over the destiny of the northern islands played an important part in revealing to the Japanese their own weakness and in opening a breach in the policy of seclusion.

[@Self-replicating_whatnot]

14:18 This picture rocks, even if i can't make head nor tail of what's going on. I mean, look at the guy in the middle bottom part of the image, dual-wielding katanas like a boss!

[@breakintheline]

France designs "Worst cruiser ever" asked to leave Japan

[@VanillaLoaf]

Interesting video! The name Yamamoto Gonbee/山本 権兵衛 would be pronounced "Gon-bay" - the ~ee is not an indicator of an English style "ee" sound, but an elongation of the ~e vowel.

[@robertmatch6550]

Early enough to be before I've made coffee. Very interesting topic about one of the most interesting civilizations.

[@okamiinukiba]

The last time I was this early Nelson was still captain of captain

[@DonaldMcKay3768]

An excellent "survey course" in the origins of the IJN, a somewhat obscure subject. I would have some challenges with even locating the appropriate sources for this pre- "Jane's" period, but Drach seems to have it all figured out.

[@davidhouston4810]

I hope you can continue the series on the IJN soon, since it is a subject I know little about, prior to WW2.

[@Thumpalumpacus]

Deffo want to see more on this.

[@SamAlley-l9j]

Thanks Drach.

[@lewiswestfall2687]

Thanks Drach

[@FusionCoreHoarder]

Last time I was this early, the Kamchatka was reporting torpedo boats

[@therealuncleowen2588]

14:00 Ohhhhh, so the animosity between the IJN and IJA is based on clan rivalries going back centuries? I didn't realize that.

[@boobah5643]

Arguable. It doesn't take long-time clan rivalries for competing services to form rivalries; just ask the US armed services. The extremes they took that rivalry seem very Japanese to me; it's not the sort of thing that requires an antecedent. Especially once you get to the point where the Army and Navy control the government; higher stakes, more bitter rivalry.

[@bkjeong4302]

Actually those two clans (which were not named Choshu or Satsuma-those were the names of the places they controlled during the Edo period) weren’t on bad terms with each other until the Edo period.

[@stretch3281]

I'm loving those Japanese prints you used in this vid 👍

[@Shrike58]

My understanding is that the shogunate had warning from the Dutch throne that the Americans were coming almost a year out from Perry's arrival, and the Japanese government basically congratulated themselves on not totally giving away the store!

[@thhseeking]

Japan avoided being a Hawai'i.

[@egoalter1276]

I dont think that would have been feasable. Japan was capable of effectively fighting a land war on a scale only seen in the conflicts of continental europe, with equipment not much removed from what was otherwise in use. The only real way to colonize such a nation would have been to rely heablvily on internal devision, and internal devision only came about as resistance to the very foreign influence that would be relying on it i

[@egoalter1276]

I dont think that would have been feasable. Japan was capable of effectively fighting a land war on a scale only seen in the conflicts of continental europe, with equipment not much removed from what was otherwise in use. The only real way to colonize such a nation would have been to rely heablvily on internal devision, and internal devision only came about as resistance to the very foreign influence that would be relying on it it in such a scenario.

[@goose4454]

Last time I was this early, I wasn't late for work.

[@GrahamWKidd]

The painting at 6:30 is just mind-bending. They really didin't get perspective in painting back then, did they!?

[@orionoregon974]

I really enjoyed this one.