Takekoshi Yosaburo

2022/04/14

Image: Collection of the Fukuzawa Memorial Center for Modern Japanese Studies

The "Three Great Haikara (Dandies)" of the Meiji and Taisho eras refers to Mochizuki Kotaro, Matsumoto Kumpei, and Takekoshi Yosaburo (pen name Sansa). Known respectively as "Mochikota," "Kimihira," and "Takeyosa," they were figures who captured public attention. These three contemporaries shared a common background: they were prolific writers for newspapers and magazines and were first elected to the House of Representatives in the mid-Meiji 30s (around 1900). Takekoshi was particularly distinguished by his renowned prose style and his close friendships with Tokutomi Soho and Yamaji Aizan, eventually becoming a historical commentator who authored major works such as "The Economic History of Japan" and "A History of Two Thousand Five Hundred Years."

Takekoshi Yosaburo was born on October 14, 1865 (Keio 1), in Honjo, Musashi Province (now Honjo City, Saitama Prefecture), as the second son of Kiyono Senzaburo and Iku. The Kiyono family was originally a clan from Niigata. In 1870 (Meiji 3), following the death of the heir to the main family, the family moved to Kakizaki (now Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture). Yosaburo studied at a newly established local school, which strengthened his desire for further education. However, he clashed with his parents, who wanted him to succeed the family business, and in 1880 (Meiji 13), he left home for Tokyo. He stayed with his uncle, Nagai Ichitaro, in Saitama and studied at a private academy. Later, he entered Nakamura Masanao's (Keiu) Dojinsha and was influenced by it, but perhaps finding it insufficient, he entered Keio University the following year. In 1883 (Meiji 16), he was adopted by his uncle Takekoshi Tohei and changed his surname to Takekoshi. Invited by Fukuzawa, he joined the Jiji Shimpo newspaper, where he was in charge of translating English articles. In 1884 (Meiji 17), he began teaching English and other subjects at the Tokyo Commercial School and published a series of English translations from a young age.

Around this time, dissatisfied with Fukuzawa and the surrounding Keio people who advocated for harmony between the government and the people, and frustrated that his articles were not being accepted, Takekoshi left Keio. He deepened his friendships with Christians from Doshisha, such as Niijima Jo, Kozaki Hiromichi, and Ebina Danjo. While teaching at the Maebashi English School, which opened in 1886 (Meiji 19) in Gunma—their base of operations—he was baptized by Kozaki and became a Christian. During this period, he also met Yuasa Jiro and established a connection with Tokutomi Soho's Min'yusha. Inspired by Soho, he decided to make a living through political commentary. He contributed energetically to magazines such as "Rikugo Zasshi" and "Kokumin no Tomo," and by this time, Takekoshi's name had become widely known.

In 1889 (Meiji 22), he became a lead reporter for the "Osaka Koron" and was involved in its editing. However, when the editor-in-chief, Oda Jun'ichiro, moved to Tokyo, Takekoshi became isolated within the company and resigned at the end of the year. In 1890 (Meiji 23), he joined Soho's Min'yusha. His weapon as a journalist was his speed of writing, but the illegibility of his handwriting was said to be a nightmare for the printing office. On one occasion, after Soho pointed out flaws in his articles, Takekoshi expressed his intention to leave Min'yusha. Although he was persuaded to stay and reconsidered once, he eventually left Min'yusha in 1895 (Meiji 28) and returned to the Jiji Shimpo.

Takekoshi followed a rare trajectory, moving away from Fukuzawa to Niijima and Soho, and then returning to Fukuzawa. This suggests that his departure from Fukuzawa was not due to personal relationships or ideological differences.

Later, through an introduction from Mutsu Munemitsu, whom he looked up to as a mentor, he met Saionji Kimmochi and subsequently served as Saionji's close aide in a secretarial role. Saionji also had friendships with the other two "Haikara" figures and promoted young people like himself who were well-versed in foreign affairs. With the support of both mentors, Takekoshi established Kaitokusha in 1896 (Meiji 29) and launched his long-awaited magazine, "Sekai no Nihon" (The Japan of the World).

In 1898 (Meiji 31), when Saionji became Minister of Education in the third Ito Hirobumi cabinet, Takekoshi was appointed as an Imperial Appointee Councilor and Secretary. Saionji had informed the Emperor of his intention to revise the Imperial Rescript on Education and had received approval, but he was forced to resign due to a recurrence of illness, and the plan failed. At this time, Takekoshi also resigned from office.

In 1900 (Meiji 33), he suspended publication of "Sekai no Nihon," and a disappointed Takekoshi set off for Europe. Despite being called "Haikara," this was his first visit abroad at the age of 35. Later, in 1902 (Meiji 35), he was elected to the House of Representatives from the Niigata rural district and belonged to the Rikken Seiyukai (elected five times). He advocated for a Russo-Japanese entente and toured various European countries on an inspection trip in 1906 (Meiji 39). On that occasion, he was invited to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), which was holding its general assembly in London, and became the first Japanese lawmaker to participate in the assembly even before Japan had officially joined (Kaori Ito, "The Century of Parliamentary Diplomacy"). The following year, he met with Yuan Shikai and others during an inspection of China, promoting private-sector diplomacy.

Takekoshi wrote many articles about his memories of Fukuzawa. To Takekoshi, Fukuzawa was an ideal figure whose single word could become the law of the land and whose single sentence would be recited by all people. Takekoshi was invited to the celebration of Fukuzawa's 60th birthday in 1895 (Meiji 28), and upon reuniting, he was welcomed back to the Jiji Shimpo by Fukuzawa. At that time, Fukuzawa was wary of Russian movements regarding the Korean issue. To check Russia's attempt to make Korea a protectorate, Fukuzawa encouraged the Korean students he was supporting to rush into the British Legation and seek British help, which the students carried out. Subsequently, there was a summons from Foreign Minister Saionji, who asked if it was the work of the Mita faction. When Takekoshi admitted it, Saionji requested that they stop because it would be an obstacle to diplomacy ("Kencho Kyurinshu").

Later, Takekoshi became enthusiastic about launching his own magazine and made up his mind to resign from Jiji Shimpo. Fukuzawa advised him against it, saying the new magazine would surely fail. He advised that it would not be too late to start after making a fortune in the business world, but Takekoshi, who had already begun preparations, would not listen. Fukuzawa struck the table in anger, but gradually regained his composure and sent him off with warm words: "It will surely fail, but if it does, be sure to come back to me." Takekoshi was moved by this affection and left after promising to return if that happened.

In Takekoshi's view, the fundamental idea of Fukuzawa's education was to create good citizens. Good citizens are those who are well-versed in current affairs, apply scientific truths to their lives, value independence and self-respect, establish themselves and their families in private life, and take charge of the nation's great affairs in public life. Fukuzawa continued to preach common sense throughout his life, but Takekoshi says the reason he did not fall into mediocrity was because of his strong spirit, as seen in his refusal to serve the new government until the end, and his vigorous "single iron heart." Furthermore, while Fukuzawa acted boldly and daringly as if no one else were around, he also had the meticulousness to pay attention to even the smallest details. When writing, he would check every word and phrase to correct errors. It is said that when Takekoshi's misuse of words would not improve, Fukuzawa even bought him an old book titled "Kana Yokaku" (Usage of Kana).

The Fukuzawa that Takekoshi saw sought to demolish theories of patriotism with populism, demolish worldly superstitions with materialism, instruct the narrow-minded and stubborn with common-sense principles, attack the trend of servile dependence with the principle of independence and self-respect, and bring happiness to the daily lives of the people by encouraging science and industry. Although he had been refined by European civilization, he was a pure Japanese who showed the spirit of a samurai ("Heiju Sasanki").

Takekoshi's speeches, though he was known for his fine prose, were not numerous, but what were they like? His public speaking was described as having "elegance and brilliance" in its language. His speaking speed was on the faster side, and because he used historical terms and academic terminology, it was difficult to find the right kanji when transcribing them. He strove to make his speeches interesting to listen to as a form of literature and to ensure they would remain for posterity even when written down, rejecting the idea that they only needed to be good for the moment. Takekoshi pointed out that Japanese public speaking was boring because the words lacked power, and he argued for the need to carefully select words with meaning and strength. He also noted that there were very few historical metaphors.

Takekoshi's habit was to repeatedly use "aru no de arimasu" in speeches and "no de aru" in conversation. Aside from this, he was said to have no habits and to be nearly perfect. However, he had a slight accent, pronouncing "yue ni" (therefore) as "yui ni" ("Gendai Meishi no Enzetsuburi"). Matsumoto Kumpei, who was also called "Haikara," remarked that Mochizuki's speeches were powerful and skillful but his voice was poor, while Takekoshi's speeches were just like his writing—having premises, conclusions, and being rich in metaphors—but would be better if his voice were a little louder.

Normally, when a guest arrived, Takekoshi would lead them to the drawing room, hear the purpose of their visit, and then show them to his study. Then coffee would be served, followed by Western sweets handmade by his wife. Half of the bookshelves were filled with Western books, and the rest were neatly lined with Chinese and Japanese books, with a portrait of Mutsu Munemitsu hanging on the wall. His home in Higashi-Okubo was a stylish Western-style building, and he had a hobby of creating a rose garden and cultivating roses. Unfortunately, the Western-style building was damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake, and he moved to Nakano. In this way, his lifestyle was foreign-style, and it is understandable why he was called "Haikara."

It was Asabuki Eiji who provided a new project for Takekoshi after he lost his seat in the general election. He gathered many businesspeople from Keio to organize the Association for the Compilation of Japanese Economic History and entrusted Takekoshi with the central role. The association spent four years completing all eight volumes of "The Economic History of Japan." It is said that the English version also received favorable reviews from overseas.

Later, upon Saionji's recommendation, he became the Chief Extraordinary Imperial Editor of the Ministry of the Imperial Household and was involved in the compilation of the "Chronicle of Emperor Meiji." Takekoshi clashed with Kaneko Kentaro over the compilation and writing policy and resigned midway in 1926 (Taisho 15). Subsequently, on Saionji's recommendation, he became a member of the House of Peers (by imperial appointment) and was appointed as a Privy Councilor in 1940 (Showa 15). After the war, he was purged from public office by the Privy Council for his cooperation in the Japanese military's occupation of French Indochina. He passed away from old age at the age of 85 on January 12, 1950 (Showa 25).

The man of letters and politician Takekoshi was a figure who, from a young age, never compromised easily and continued to take pride in depicting people and history with his own flowing prose style.