Last Samurai Describes Final Days of Old Japan

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Extracts taken from Marquis Ito´s Experience, translated by Teizo Kuramata: archive.org/details/marquisit...
Edited and Image Curation by Manuel Rubio - check out his amazing channel for more: @ArtandContext
Narrated and Script Edited by David Kelly
Music from Epidemic Sound and Artlist
Thumbnail Art by Ettore Mazza

[@VoicesofthePast]

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with BetterHelp #ad. Click betterhelp.com/voicesofthepast for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy with a credentialed professional specific to your needs.

[@KyoushaPumpItUp]

Betterhelp? Really? They've been exposed as a scam 6 years ago!

[@p5eudo883]

Betterhelp is a scam that sells your personal data, including information that is normally protected by HIPAA. They have been exposed for this, and should absolutely not be used. They are pouring money into content creators to collect people in need to prey on. There are better, professional, genuine sources of therapy available. Betterhelp is exploitation.

[@Carbuncle0168]

now Japan is a colony of the USA 🎉

[@pete8276]

Wasn’t this shit a scam?

[@Carbuncle0168]

@@pete8276 many young Japanese are ending their lives because of how difficult Japanese jobs are

[@HistoryDose]

Japan speed running from medieval to an industrial age is one of the most endlessly fascinating occurrences in history

[@johnburke964]

Heck yeah History Dose

[@atomic_wait]

The Imperial government managed to consolidate power pretty quickly after the country was forcibly reopened, and looking at what had happened to China and their other neighbors they were highly motivated to not suffer the same fate at the hands of foreign interference and conquest.

[@drgonzo305]

Then from expansionist imperial rule to pacifist constitutional democracy all in about 100 years. They went from medieval warfare with no navy to defeating the industrialized Russian navy outright in like 60 years. People talk about Germans being efficient but they got nothing on the Japanese

[@breakerdawn8429]

Adapt or be colonised, that's what they saw and luckily they chose the latter.​@@atomic_wait

[@SuLokify]

Their long isolation and whiplash into modernity continues to be fascinating, in my opinion. Especially when you compare it to how first contacts between less advanced natives and explorers have so often gone (and gone badly for the natives).

[@gierokd]

The Englishman named "Girl" was probably actually named Joe. The character for girl (女) is pronounced じょ (or Jo). Got a good laugh from that one.

[@baltulielkungsgunarsmiezis9714]

Džo would make much more sense than girl.

[@mastersafari5349]

Aren't you supposed to use katakana when writing a name of a foreigner in Japanese? My suggestion is that the Englishman's name was spelled as "ガー ル" in katakana which could be both "girl" or "Gull" converted back to English.

[@baltulielkungsgunarsmiezis9714]

@@mastersafari5349 "Aren't you supposed to use katakana when writing a name of a foreigner in Japanese?" You are. Heres my name グンタース・ミエリシュ. "My suggestion is that the Englishman's name was spelled as "ガー ル" in katakana which could be both "girl" or "Gull" converted back to English." Its quite likely that the japanese did not know his name properly as their writing is not one in which you confuse anything.

[@Ciacien-ke7ot]

that satisfying moment when you've studied enough japanese to recognize that character and know it's on'yomi pronunciation. i know it's a kinda basic one, but it feels rewarding to be able to fully understand the funniness of this 😂

[@gorgeousgentleman5390]

Joe Joe want to have an adventure

[@alexandertran2442]

I then realized the one recounting this is none other than Japan's first Prime Minister

[@yichengyi]

Same here. In the description, I saw "Marqis Ito." Then, after about five minutes of listening further, I was like, "This sounds an awful lot like Ito Hirobumi."

[@somedesertdude1308]

you're

[@yichengyi]

@@somedesertdude1308 "You're" what?

[@SlimbTheSlime]

@@somedesertdude1308nobody even said “your”

[@somedesertdude1308]

@@SlimbTheSlime seethe

[@ferretyluv]

The author of this, Itoh Hirobumi, was Japan’s first prime minister and longest serving prime minister. He modeled Japan’s government on that of Prussia. Edit: he served in the capacity as a prime minister in the Meiji government before the title “prime minister” existed. Hence why he’s the longest serving, above Abe Shinzo.

[@riowhi7]

The military sure, it incorporated a lot of German systems and ideas. It's government however seemed to be much more influenced by the United Kingdom, not Prussia or Germany.

[@tiffanybatcheller-harris522]

Ito Hirobumi was both a samurai and a leading member of the genro. Unfortunately, he was assassinated by gunshots. 🤔

[@thebelgfrommt]

yeah he got assassinated by korean independence activists

[@ferretyluv]

@@riowhi7 The peerage system and bicameral legislature (house of commons and House of Lords) was based on the UK. But the constitution and absolute monarchy was based on Prussia.

[@nomorechess]

​@@ferretyluv Was Prussia during that time really an absolute monarchy?

[@simontoppin6844]

"If you don't let us on the ship, we'll disembowel ourselves where we stand" "Erm, ok. I guess you can go then"

[@TaxEvader08]

the Dupont approach

[@mikicerise6250]

Used to be so easy to get a visa. 😅

[@zandaroos553]

@@TaxEvader08This man is actually Roy’s ancestor. They moved to the U.S. in search of better uncles. Read that again

[@Jefrings]

''So, how's your determination to get on this ship?'' *Puts knife on own belly* ''Hum, ok sirs right this way!''

[@John3.36]

This was only possible because of the Christian compassion of English who valued the life of people. Unlike Japan where life was not valued and self-suicide was seen as the right thing to do.

[@DruidEnjoyer]

12:22 "Someone's planning on assassinating us? Better kill ourselves!" That seems to be the one-size-fits-all solution to most problems Samurai had.

[@ToastyMozart]

"Ah! But who is stupider? The man trying to kill himself, or the man trying to kill the man trying to kill himself!"

[@ianfinrir8724]

I mean, if it ain't broke...

[@bricc9964]

You can’t assassinate someone who’s already dead.

[@civilengineer3349]

It has something to do with their culture I guess. Perhaps the afterlife or reincarnation

[@ianfinrir8724]

@@civilengineer3349 It's death before dishonor. It's better to die by your own hand than suffer whatever torture/death/humiliation the enemy will do to you; it also denies the enemy their trophy. It's similar to burning your own fields so the enemy can't use them.

[@misfortunemate8261]

Hirobumi Ito was a former samurai, but as a politician he was far more moderate and prudent than his fellow Samurai. Unlike Saigo, who wanted to restore the samurai way of life, and the militarist Aritomo Yamagata, Ito hoped to solve problems through international cooperation and diplomacy, Especially opposed to war with Russia. He wanted Korea to remain a buffer state with Russia rather than annex by force, but he was assassinated by a nationalistic Korean, his death ironically aided Japan's annexation of Korea.

[@ories]

rather than annex by force... how so?

[@LuigiCotocea]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itō_Hirobumi Sadly he got assasinated on 26 october 1909... :(

[@Silvergalaxy7383]

@@LuigiCotocea It said here he changed his mind and advocated for annexation but despite this, he was forced to resign and shortly there after killed which only accelerated Koreas annexation process

[@Mk-qb2ny]

Japan transitioned to modern times in a blink of an eye. The emperor, after the decision was made to open the country up, said to his nation (paraphrasing here) on the lines of: "Go to all the world and learn everything there is to know about everything, bring it back an apply it here"

[@Dncsuxadic]

Then they fooked with America and got sent back a 100years 😅😅😅😅

[@brad5426]

@@Dncsuxadic No they didn't Japanese economy thrived post-war

[@haha-lj5sq]

@@Dncsuxadicbro forgot about the post-war economic miracle

[@Dncsuxadic]

@@haha-lj5sq Because America built them back. Read your history 😂🤣😅

[@haha-lj5sq]

@@Dncsuxadic so you’re admitting they didn’t get sent back? Okay

[@connorperrett9559]

The difference between America or Europe in 1824 and America or Europe now are stark, but to think of what Japan was like in 1824 versus what it is like only 200 years later is just astounding.

[@ijansk]

The US. America is a continent.

[@zeedub8560]

@@ijansk North America is the continent. America is shorthand for the USA. Everybody in the world knows what country is meant when someone says "America."

[@baltulielkungsgunarsmiezis9714]

@@ijansk Ameica is the reduced form of United States of America. Just like Latvija is the reduced form of Latvijas Republika.

[@baltulielkungsgunarsmiezis9714]

After talking to myself about it for an hour, including sheddint tiers when I said that a latvietis from 1824 would not care that with our cars he can cross the country in 6 hours hed rather walk for a week with everyone on the road saying hello, you underestiamate how much Europe has changed. It wasnt depressing in the olden days, you think northern europians are cold now it wasnt at all like this 200 years ago.

[@GhostHax0r]

@@ijanskI’m sorry, is Europe a country then?

[@peefart1410]

Next video: “last cowboy describes his finale days in old America”

[@coolkidsman.]

Wait, aren’t cowboys still around in the usa?

[@atompunk5575]

I was gonna say 😅​@@coolkidsman.

[@baltulielkungsgunarsmiezis9714]

@@coolkidsman. Catle herders yes, frontiersmen no.

[@salmonellafunk]

I mean that period was really only about 20-30 years in American history so itd be hard to tell who truly was the last frontiersman since they'd mostly all be from the same generation

[@isaiahrogge]

@@coolkidsman.yeah the 1800s train robbing dueling “cowboys” didn’t really exist the old cowboys have just been romanticized. Cowboys had a bad reputation kinda like sailors used to before the “modern era” and the extreme examples fascinated the rich people… right as movies were first being made. Guys like Clint Eastwood weren’t really a thing cowboys were just people on the fringes of society looking for work

[@cpt.honklerof3rdkekistania400]

Hearing him talk about america was so wholesome and flattering

[@410cultivar]

Have you read or listened to the diary entry if the first samurai group to go to America? It was when america first forced them to open up. They were blown away by ice cubes for drinks, in the summer. Also that we had enough wealth to buy enough fabric, to walk on, carpet lol But that we are wasteful, iron and steel just laying around rusting

[@comradecameron3726]

@@410cultivarJapan doesn’t or at least didn’t have much iron or steel in those days. But America being so big has more than enough to tear it out of the ground and leave it to rust.

[@tek87]

Hardly hear that today...

[@cpt.honklerof3rdkekistania400]

@@410cultivar i have listened to that one, pretty comical at times. Dude lit his sleeve on fire with a cigarette cherry.

[@manmanboyboyman9863]

@@cpt.honklerof3rdkekistania400 Yeah till this day japan is still obsessed with American culture. They often dress up as cowboys and read American comics, they are kinda like the reverse weeabo right now🤣🤣

[@IndicatedGoodLife]

This one is absolutely crazy. Its beautifull that these accounts still exist, wow. What a wild trip for these gentleman and what impact that they may had in turning the final tide.

[@samsonadeyemi2169]

The narration was by the first PM of Japan

[@MysticChronicles712]

The rapid transition from the Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution in Japan is one of the most enthralling events in human history.

[@zzerutan]

Did you just basically reword one of the top comments? lol

[@sonb0t]

@@zzerutanwas about to comment that lol

[@princejaxisblack8789]

bro got caught red handed in the replies 💀

[@BurroDevelops]

​@@princejaxisblack8789hahahahahaha

[@BurroDevelops]

​​@@princejaxisblack8789i get them though. The need to rewrite it shows how impressed they are. It's a human thing.

[@thebreadbringer9522]

These videos are a unique delight for someone fascinated by the history of more ordinary people and how they experienced it, like myself.

[@riowhi7]

I mean, this guy was a member of the samurai ruling class pre-restoration and later became part of the ruling aristocracy post-restoration as the country's first Prime Minister. I would be hard pressed to call him an ordinary person, but I agree that these videos are very fascinating.

[@rentristandelacruz]

And now the entire world has access to anime. Thanks to that man's efforts.

[@15098D]

“If you don’t let me go on your ship I’m gonna kms”

[@brad5426]

funny to imagine the man was not expecting to hear that and was like damn bro ok

[@clarkh4133]

The narrating is articulate. Thank you for giving us all such a gift

[@derekstaroba]

Thank you for giving thanks

[@clarkh4133]

@@derekstaroba Thank you for thanking my thanks

[@acslater017]

It’s perfectly natural to feel scared or confused when your society transforms from a medieval, pre-industrial backwater to an Empire taking on the world’s great powers. That’s why there’s Better Help.

[@Makabert.Abylon]

One thing I didn’t understand was the part where they had $8.300 dollars and it “was very little, but enough to cover the expenses which the journey necessitated” $8300 which would be about $280.000 today. Sounds like that would cover a lot.

[@suzbone]

Right! I was like HUH???

[@RogerTheil]

He might have meant "yen" (or whatever they used then) and simply called them "dollars". This happens a lot in writing where an author will use terms for currency interchangeably, even today.

[@vulpes7079]

He said that they got that money, but the amount they carried in their pockets wasn't a big one. As in, they weren't flashy with the money and used only what was necessary

[@vulpes7079]

​@@RogerTheil"Yen" was not the currency then. He was describing how he excanged Ryō, which were those large gold pieces used as currency and a store of wealth, into that amount of dollars, as he said.

[@christianr4769]

I think he meant that they only kept small amounts in their pockets, and put the rest somewhere safer.

[@GunterThePenguinHatesHugs]

_Goes to get milk for tea_ >>> _Discovers we ran out of milk_ >>> _Begins to unsheathe wakizashi_

[@scotbotvideos]

An upload from Voices of the Past is like a correspondence from a long lost friend.

[@loszhor]

Fascinating! Thanks for uploading!

[@lopezalehandro1666]

A magnificent narration. The aesthetics of the animation are commendable.

[@jesserai]

Excellently made, thank you for your efforts.

[@patrickcosgrove2623]

Brilliant storytelling and enjoyed the illustration's and photograph's of Japan. Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@PenguinofD00mxxx]

I get so excited whenever I see you upload.

[@Soniti1324]

Absolutely incredible video. It's fascinating to me that the Japanese perceived the US in the exact same manner pre-WW2 as they do today. Really great work man, awesome piece of history.

[@AnnatarTheMaia]

This was very insightful; thank you kindly for it.

[@WhosThere26]

This was so beautiful that it gave me shivers.

[@anthonyfrench3169]

Thanks for the insight and thoughts of Ito Hirobumi. Great job mate

[@afptoronto1]

Thank you again for these videos.

[@campervanhelsing]

What an awesome episode. Thank you

[@zoroaster3053]

Wow, it's simply amazing. It's like time traveling. A video on Sassanid dynasty Persia and Tang dynasty China interacting would be absolutely insane. Love your videos man. I've been binge watching all of them. ❤

[@Sheepybearry]

Accounts like this about the end of Tokugawa are fascinating!

[@certainnoodlesinapasta.5265]

The illustrations are beautiful. I'm impressed.

[@dragan5451]

Great work 👏

[@arcbrush]

wow! such an engaging and thoughtful speech

[@otorishingen8600]

I knew this but it's so different to see it so well sun into a animated story Thank you 👍

[@myshepspud1]

Love your work.

[@fuferito]

Us _Blackadder_ fans appreciate hearing of a Custom House gentleman whose name is Mr. Girl, since we'll never tire of Capt Darling.

[@deus22488]

Thanks!

[@BobWeaver3000]

fantastic, thank you!

[@fatbutterimp4166]

Absolutely fascinating, the growing pains of living through such a short time must have been unbearable for some…

[@thenotoriousgryyn342]

A Glorious Narration 👍

[@robertcrocker901]

Very interesting. Very interesting period in Japanese history-this added a lot to my knowledge of this fascinating time. The period photos added a lot. Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu!

[@jebhampton6031]

1860s yup my grandpappy was in the Civil War lol he lost and ended up poor with his house burned down an having to rely on the generosity of family and friends, but the fact we are still alive means our story continues on today.

[@MackerelCat]

Fascinating. Thanks.

[@johnfyten3392]

This man's thirst for knowledge is so wholesome and admirable

[@civilengineer3349]

There's something enchanting about Japan before the Meiji Restoration, a bit like Medieval Europe or even anytime in Europe before the First World War wrecked much of her

[@VespasianJudea]

If you’re a gamer, like a dragon Ishin takes place during this time. It’s a fun little game.

[@level9drow856]

This is beautiful.

[@bigsarge2085]

Fascinating!

[@JAdams-jx5ek]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@jomorken4853]

Wow. This might be the most informative video and also a great story. What heroes. They just went straight back and convinced everyone. Maybe they all did not need convincing

[@poorsvids4738]

I love this channel

[@colt777rulz]

Beautiful! I love hearing the writings of the Japanese in these videos the most. They’re so eloquent and humble in how they write. Thank you Voices of the Past! This was worth the wait.

[@AustereHare]

wow, gave me the chills. i LOVE Japan

[@deus22488]

The quality of this content leaves me in awe.

[@PeterGordon1]

what an incredible story. what an incredible life.

[@doejohn6855]

Excellent video. This is what I'm a patreon patron for.

[@user-rf1kh4uo4g]

Beautiful art!

[@CouchAlien]

Perfect. Just what i needed during a late night snack 😋awesome qnd interesting video aa usal !!

[@mattohara7736]

Fantastic synopsis!

[@alexigray7893]

Great video! I loved the storytelling. The unfinished photo restoration kills me though. I want to redo it all. :)

[@KLUGYYY]

While I know it’s earlier in history, it’s good timing that you posted this with the new show from Hulu shogun coming out.

[@pebbleoverpond]

Japan has a special place in my heart

[@drewwilson8756]

What a beautiful story.

[@baboon_bandito]

This is great! Very interesting.

[@FieldDay-cj3tv]

That would be a very difficult to adjust to. I can understand that A very interesting story thank you

[@highonlife2323]

please whatever you do never stop

[@allrequiredfields]

I'm not going to lie, I was really hoping to see something like '2:00:00' in the lower left corner 😂

[@vegankowalski5193]

mindblowing

[@StrangeScaryNewEngland]

I like how the Japanese artist's version of Commodore Perry also included his 7 chins. Fine attention to detail, indeed. Also, great and very interesting video. Thank you!

[@ramseyr2852]

What a fantastic people and group of up and coming leaders. They navigated this ancient civilization to a great power in the world and in a manner of great nobility. Well done in finding this letter from the past.

[@bamtoday]

I moved to Tokyo for work and I live near to the Marquis Maeda's former home and current heritage museum. Would love to hear you ready anything from 1885-1940 from his point of view.

[@SC-fk9nc]

Very interesting, thank you for this historical account.

[@Dove101]

Thank you for the content of the video. Captivating! I was wondering if you were planning on gathering information to make a video concerning the African continent, as many countries hold wonderful historical artifacts. I would love to witness your savvy and thorough work on that continent. Have a pleasant day!

[@smatt9132]

The time of transition from traditional to industrial is always one of the most interesting times in history to me. Seeing something that has been mostly static for hundreds and hundreds of years suddenly drastically change in just a few years with the impact of new technologies.

[@DZC-bc2ol]

Nice I learned a lot

[@kuriru7576]

Fascinating video and facts. Want to read the book of this Japanese diplomatic.

[@moonmason5446]

I recommend you to make a video of Sengoku era. It’s so dense and crazy. Rivalry between many iconic warlords. Also Meiji Ishin (revolution against shogunation)

[@xmariner]

I think this is one of the most remarkable episodes you have done. I honestly feel I have a better grasp of the Old World of Japan, being only slightly familiar with the differences. Everything is romanticized in the prism of the past, of course, but at least I can understand their zenith before the horrible events of World War II.

[@BlueBaron3339]

Difficult to watch without personal bias, sadly. My uncle was a pilot POW of the Japanese in WWII. And, although just surviving was a miracle, he was a broken man. But personal bias in an enemy we must battle daily. Thus I could not help but deeply admire this brilliant and dedicated man, caught to such a degree between two eras and two cultures that he nearly ended his own life...twice.

[@WaterShowsProd]

I've participated in performances and other events recounting the story of POWs forced to build The Thai-Burma Railway and have visited several areas on many occasions, watched many interviews and documentaries, and read books about what was endured. I've had descendants of POWs approach me after performances to say how moved they were. May I ask, if you know, where your uncle was held? Did he work on the railway, or was he held in another location?

[@kn2549]

Dont know what this has anything to do with ww2. This was more than 70 years BEFORE the events of ww2. About the same time span from the end of ww2 to present day.

[@BlueBaron3339]

@@kn2549 WWII represents an endpoint to the post-feudal progress of Japan that would no doubt have appalled Marquis Ito whose account is translated and narrated here. The events he recounts contributed to WWII. Not intentionally by any means. That's the poignant part.

[@theurbandiaries418]

Watched 5 seconds of this video and subscribed immediately

[@giorgiaolivotto8442]

Ettore Mazza

[@saman.rostami]

This was legendary

[@andrewhendrix2297]

What's truly fascinating is that when Samurai threaten to end their lives, they absolutely mean it. Even their own writings reveal they were moments away from commiting sepuku. Such a fascinating culture, i don't know if it can be found anywhere else in time.

[@aaronishii5874]

Extremely good

[@albertenriquecrowleybeastc217]

I often think about what it must have been like for the Samurai and Daimyo to have witnessed the phenomenal change that happened from 1860 to 1900! I ❤️ 🗾!

[@svenjenson]

Very well done visuals and editing and a very fascinating lens to view this history through, Hirobumi Ito. His lead such an incredible life。My only gripe is the butchered pronunciation of the Japanese names.

[@Jobe-13]

This is so cool

[@bantunetnou5307]

Amazing

[@indyfan9845]

I recommend the 1976 Broadway musical "Pacific Overtures" by Stephen Sondheim. It's about the end of Samurai eta, told as traditional Kabuki theatre, with an all-East Asian male cast. It tells the story from the eyes of the Japanese. It's on KZbin, with the original Broadway cast, starring Mako, of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" fame.

[@TheArmageddon42]

Awesome video once more! Does anyone know the name of the song starting at 17:13 though? It is so lovely.

[@kaeganthornhill3936]

Its still mind boggling how what took other countries 200+ years to do, Japan did in less than 50 years. Hence how this Samurai was able to witness it before his very eyes.

[@Numba003]

Thank you for another outstanding video to listen to on my drive home from work today. Japan has had a very interesting journey for the last couple of centuries. I wish the Japanese people all the best going forward. God be with you out there, everybody! ✝️ :)

[@darter9000]

*unthinkingly listens to ad read Man, samurais say all sorts of things...

[@RanHarasaki]

Could I possibly get the name of the song used at the end of the video (20:05 and beyond)? It's beautiful and I'm in need of such tunes for meditation purposes.

[@sheastadium2008]

I like how this is the latest video uploaded after I start watching the Shogun 😂

[@sarahenglerstone2814]

Hahaha at first when the narrator mentioned the Tokugawa regency I was like you mean Toronaga? Then I was like wait… I’m getting reality and the show mixed up 😂

[@kingfishergames2158]

15:38 pretty sure I watched another video and they pointed out the people in this picture are actors and can be seen in different samurai clothing and poses.