The Otsu Incident: Tsar Nicholas II’s Near-Assassination in Japan

[@noahoskow4551]

Hey everyone, thanks for watching this one! Been wanting to put this story in video form for a while, so pretty happy to get it out there. I find both Nicholas and Meiji to be pretty interesting historical characters, although as is often the case with Japanese emperors, there's not as much of the personality there to grasp in what comes down to us. Nicholas, on the other hand, has had his personality (and personal failings) disected for over a century now. Anyway, hope you enjoy, and let me know what you think!

[@UnseenJapan]

English subs are now out for those who prefer to use them! Thanks as always for your viewership.

[@nowhereman6019]

I love the immediateness of George to defend his cousin and beat the crap out of his attacker.

[@NomadBulldog]

Speaking of other Nicholas-es. Ever considered doing a video on Saint Nicholas of Japan? Even not from a religious perspective, it’s an interesting story from a historical point of view. Also, love your use of Tenchu OSTs.

[@noahoskow4551]

St.Nicholas kept on popping up when I was researching the Otsu Incident, unsurprisingly! And since I'm in Tokyo it would be pretty easy to head over to the Holy Resurrection Cathedral and get some footage. I'd certainly consider looking more deeply into his story - maybe take a general focus on the Orthodox Church's place in Japan. And yeah, really getting some mileage out of Tenchu (and Asakura's music in general).

[@v.m.9198]

My brain: wow, I'm learning so much little known japanese history Also my brain: ha ha tsar Nicholas ii was a weeb

[@lyndonwesthaven6623]

Same, but line two is 'lol, Kenshin bgm'

[@Artur_M.]

Outstanding video! I knew about this event and its overall context but I just learned a lot of new details. The topics covered here remind me of another fascinating story - have you heard about Bronisław Piłsudski?

[@noahoskow4551]

Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, I actually encountered some details on Piłsudski during my MA thesis research, since it concerned Russia's contacts with the indigenous peoples on Sakhalin, although Lev Sternberg popped up more frequently in the research. Skimming a little information on Piłsudski right now and it looks like his story really dovetails with some of the topics I've covered on this channel, from Alexander III to the Ainu people and beyond. Seems very interesting.

[@Artur_M.]

@@noahoskow4551 I'm very happy to hear you find it interesting. It's indeed quite a story on its own but then there is also the complex life of Bronisław's more famous younger brother - Józef Piłsudski, which had its own little-known Japanese episode. BTW I just learned that a new biography of the younger Piłsudski (arguably the first proper one in English) is about to be published soon: _Jozef Pilsudski: Founding Father of Modern Poland_ by Joshua D. Zimmerman.

[@derbyyank13]

Great video, always wanted to learn more about this!

[@UnseenJapan]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@mongupta6236]

I loved your Japanese red army series . Your work is really worth it. 👍

[@UnseenJapan]

Thanks! Been happy to see the JRA series receive a lot of love recently.

[@hikosaemon]

Excellent as always!

[@UnseenJapan]

Thanks, Hiko!

[@TheWazzoGames]

This video deserves so much views

[@UnseenJapan]

Thanks for being one of those views!

[@farhanatashiga3721]

Alright just finished the video now and I have to say it's interesting how there's both elements of the old (Myths, superstition, hardline beliefs) and the new (telegram, judiciary, international politics) within this story. As you said yourself in the video this incident came at a crossroad in the history of both nations

[@farhanatashiga3721]

I wonder how many times he looked at the tattoo on his hand in contemplation during the Russo-Japanese war

[@smallshinybeetle]

What was the lingua franca between them?

[@noahoskow4551]

That's a good question! My assumption has been that they used interpetors. At least later in life, Nicholas spoke many European languages - Russian, French, Italian, German, and English. I haven't yet come upon any information saying Meiji could speak any European languages, although many modernizers of the time were very invested in learning all things "Western."

[@smallshinybeetle]

@@noahoskow4551 Thanks for the reply! For some reason I didn't even consider interpreters. Did Meiji speak other languages other than Japanese?

[@noahoskow4551]

@@smallshinybeetle I did a bit more research into this, and found that he at least studied German when he was younger - but hated learning the language, which may have helped English gain pride of place in Japan, ha.

[@siyehuang7943]

Rurouni Kenshin music 😍😍

[@hermanessences]

What exactly is the source for Nicholas II comparing the Japanese to apes? Considering how slandered and lied about he is, and how much he admired Japan, I'm a bit skeptical about the claim, although I do not of course claim that the producer of this video is deliberately lying here. I know that this alleged quote of Nicholas is part of the "mainstream history". All in all, great video!

[@hermanessences]

Also, regarding the later war, I contest the claim that Nicholas was incompetent. What specifically was he supposed to have done differently? Also, it must be noted that the Japanese were largely financed, in secret, by Jacob Schiff, and though Japan won territory in this war, they also lost more men.

[@jaredrevis4594]

The man literally went "there will be no war because I do not wish it" Everything about his handling of diplomacy with Japan, the war, domestic politics (especoally bloody Sunday) and WWI shows how incompetant he is. He was like a second Charles I but without even the ability to connive and plot to back up his fragile ego

[@hermanessences]

@@jaredrevis4594 This is not an argument. You are just parroting the slander you hear everywhere.

[@عليياسر-ف4ن9ك]

​@@hermanessencesBecause he was a failure and stupid, his father, Alexander III, was better than him

[@Eric-lp9oq]

Years later, the city will be destroyed by a nuclear bomb 7:58

[@breannaandres1930]

💘 p͓̽r͓̽o͓̽m͓̽o͓̽s͓̽m͓̽