Japanese Civil War Losers in Siam

What is it about?

This chapter examines how some of the defeated side of the 1877 Seinan Civil War (Satsuma Rebellion) attempted a nonstate opening to the other Asian country that evaded colonization, Siam (Thailand). It finds a link between the thoughts and actions of dissatisfied historical actors in Kyushu, southwestern Japan in the 1880s and their attempt to found a utopian farming community near Bangkok in 1895 and 1896. It centres on Miyazaki Tōten, who wrote extensively about this experience. Tōten is most famous for his role in the 1911 Chinese (Xinhai) Revolution and his best-selling autobiography, My Thirty Three Years' Dream. His attempt to form the utopian farming community took place before he met Sun Yat-sen and represents an instance of early revolutionary practice.

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Photo by Boudewijn Huysmans on Unsplash

Photo by Boudewijn Huysmans on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Japan's opening to the world is usually examined vis-à-vis the West and through diplomatic relations and treaties. This chapter takes a nonstate approach to show how some Japanese historical actors sought to 'open' Japan to Siam (Thailand) before formal diplomatic relations between the two countries began. It allows us to reevaluate the meaning of the opening, and shows how ordinary people took part in seeking linkages with other countries. Japan's relationship with Siam is significant since both of them remained non-colonised throughout the nineteenth century. Unlike Japanese diplomats who sought to replicate in Siam the unequal treaties forced upon Japan by Western powers, the nonstate actors approached Siam on a more equal basis. They saw an opening for freedom to carry out experimental forms of living in Siam due to its status as a non-colonised country.

Perspectives