Background
Ōtori Keisuke was born in Ako (Hyogo Prefecture), 1833.
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Otori Keisuke
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Otori Keisuke Edit Profile
also known as
Sumiaki
Education
At a young age, he entered the Shizutani School in Bizen, engaging in Chinese studies, and continued his education at the renowned Rangaku school of Ogata Kōan, where he studied Dutch language and medicine.
Further learning was obtained in Edo, where Ōtori traveled to attend the school of Tsuboi Tadamasu, known for instructing students engaged in the study and translation of Dutch. While in Edo he also received education from Egawa Tarōzaemon regarding military strategy, and studied English with Nakahama Manjirō, thus coming into possession of an uncommonly thorough, for his era, appreciation of Western culture.
Career
Became head of the Shogunate's Infantry and directed infantry training. He fled Edo at the Meiji Restoration (1868) and harassed Imperial forces in the plains north of Edo. When Takeaki Enomoto, the Shogunate Navy Commander, took his fleet to Hakodate, Hokkaido, to revolt against the Imperial Government, he accompanied the rebels. He surrendered in Hakodate and was put under house arrest. Pardoned (1872), he served in the Imperial Government and became director of the Engineering College, Peers' School, and Peeresses' School. Was appointed Minister to China and concurrently to Korea (1889). He represented Japan in the negotiations with China which preceded the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95). Was appointed a member of the Privy Council (1894) and created a Baron (1900).
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Born
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Died
June 15, 1911 (aged 78) -
Nationality
Japanese