Jiichiro Matsumoto

June 18, 1887 (age 79)

Fukuoka, Japan

During 1907, Matsumoto made his living as a street fortune-teller and quack doctor. In 1910, he was extradited back to his home province by the consul general. By 1911, Matsumoto had established the Matsumoto Company, which specialized in civil engineering and heavy construction. The company was later destroyed by members of the Kyūshū Yakuza Clan. In 1921, the Chikuzenkyō revolutionary group was organized. That same year, during the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the first Fukuoka daimyō Kuroda Nagamasa, the protest movement organized by Matsumoto rose up and the celebration turned into "voluntary donation from non-discriminated descendants against forms of discrimination" under enforcement. In 1923, Matsumoto became chairman of the Kyūshū Levelers Association (九州水平社 Kyūshū Suiheisha). In 1925, Matsumoto assumed the office of National Levelers Association (全国水平社 Zenkoku Suiheisha) as chairman of the committee. Having strong ideas of equality between people across the country, Matsumoto organized the resistance of not giving the title of nobility to Iesato Tokugawa. Later, after the assassination of Iesato Tokugawa, Matsumoto was found guilty of attempted assassination, being imprisoned for four months in 1927. In 1926, Matsumoto lead an impeachment campaign against the Fukuoka Regiment Discrimination. In 1929, he was imprisoned for a second time, this time for three years and six months, without any clear reason. Many suspect the impeachment campaign as the reason. In 1936, Matsumoto became a member of the House of Representatives. In 1942, Matsumoto was elected by a recommendation to the Taisei Yokusankai (大政翼賛会 Imperial Rule Assistance Association or Imperial Aid Association). This was a governmental camouflage, because Ichirō Hatoyama in fact didn't write any recommendations. This election was an excuse to get rid of Matsumoto's public offices. In 1946, Matsumoto became chairman of the Buraku Liberation League (部落解放同盟 Buraku Kaihō Dōmei), and, in 1947, he became a member of Parliament. The same year he was elected as vice-chairman of the House of Councilors. In 1948, being a vice-chairman of the House of Councilors, Matsumoto made a refusal to the Emperor's audience in the case known as "The Sideways Scuttle of a Crab". After that his public offices were banished, but this was cancelled in 1951. In 1953, Matsumoto became a chairman of the Japan-China Amity Association (日中友好協会 Nicchyuyukokyokai). Until his death in 1966, Matsumoto continued his buraku liberation activities.

Jiichiro Matsumoto

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松本治一郎

politician

Background

Jiichiro Matsumoto was born on June 18, 1887 in Fukuoka, Japan. His parents were Burakumin.

Education

After graduating from Sumiyoshi Elementary School and Kanjō Junior High School in Tokyo, he dropped out of Dalian High School in 1900.

Career

During 1907, Matsumoto made his living as a street fortune-teller and quack doctor. In 1910, he was extradited back to his home province by the consul general.

By 1911, Matsumoto had established the Matsumoto Company, which specialized in civil engineering and heavy construction. The company was later destroyed by members of the Kyūshū Yakuza Clan. In 1921, the Chikuzenkyō revolutionary group was organized. That same year, during the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the first Fukuoka daimyō Kuroda Nagamasa, the protest movement organized by Matsumoto rose up and the celebration turned into "voluntary donation from non-discriminated descendants against forms of discrimination" under enforcement.

In 1923, Matsumoto became chairman of the Kyūshū Levelers Association (九州水平社 Kyūshū Suiheisha). In 1925, Matsumoto assumed the office of National Levelers Association (全国水平社 Zenkoku Suiheisha) as chairman of the committee. Having strong ideas of equality between people across the country, Matsumoto organized the resistance of not giving the title of nobility to Iesato Tokugawa. Later, after the assassination of Iesato Tokugawa, Matsumoto was found guilty of attempted assassination, being imprisoned for four months in 1927.

In 1926, Matsumoto lead an impeachment campaign against the Fukuoka Regiment Discrimination. In 1929, he was imprisoned for a second time, this time for three years and six months, without any clear reason. Many suspect the impeachment campaign as the reason.

In 1936, Matsumoto became a member of the House of Representatives. In 1942, Matsumoto was elected by a recommendation to the Taisei Yokusankai (大政翼賛会 Imperial Rule Assistance Association or Imperial Aid Association). This was a governmental camouflage, because Ichirō Hatoyama in fact didn't write any recommendations. This election was an excuse to get rid of Matsumoto's public offices.

In 1946, Matsumoto became chairman of the Buraku Liberation League (部落解放同盟 Buraku Kaihō Dōmei), and, in 1947, he became a member of Parliament. The same year he was elected as vice-chairman of the House of Councilors.

In 1948, being a vice-chairman of the House of Councilors, Matsumoto made a refusal to the Emperor's audience in the case known as "The Sideways Scuttle of a Crab". After that his public offices were banished, but this was cancelled in 1951. In 1953, Matsumoto became a chairman of the Japan-China Amity Association (日中友好協会 Nicchyuyukokyokai).

Until his death in 1966, Matsumoto continued his buraku liberation activities.

Views

Quotations: "Neither violence nor target."

"Where there is nobility, there are serfs."

"My enemy is not you. My enemy is the one standing behind your back. But if you feel yourself soul-searching what you have done, I forgive you."

Personality

No wife, no buying girls. No necktie. These principles Matsumoto maintained all his life.

Connections

Grandson:: Ryu Matsumoto

Main Photo