Books

Many woodcut illus., some full-page & double-page. Ten columns per page; 20 characters per column. Eight vols. 8vo, orig. blue (now partly faded to pale green) patterned wrappers, orig. block-printed title labels on upper covers, new stitching. Japan: Prefaces dated 1786; title-page with the date “1854.” A privately printed edition of this famous text and an extremely rare example of a mokkatsujiban (a movable wooden type Japanese book printed after 1653; for a fascinating discussion, see Kornicki, The Book in Japan, pp. 159-63). Hayashi (1738-93), was a Japanese scholar and a specialist in military affairs. In 1777, he travelled to Nagasaki, where he was greatly impressed by the size and strength of the Dutch ships. While there, he also learned of the Russian intentions to advance south from Siberia into Asia. This prompted him to go to the northernmost island of Hokkaido to study the situation. As a result of this journey, he became alarmed at the weakness of Japan’s…

"Kaikoku Heidan" (The Military Defence of a Maritime Nation) is a pivotal work by Shihei Hayashi, a Japanese scholar and strategist of the late 18th century. Written in 1786, this essay not only reflects the strategic and defensive concerns of Japan during the Edo period but also stands as a prescient analysis that foreshadowed the modernization and militarization of Japan leading up to the Meiji Restoration and beyond. In this essay, I will delve into the context, content, and legacy of "Kaikoku Heidan," exploring its significance in the annals of Japanese military and political history. Shihei Hayashi (1738–1793) was a samurai, scholar, and strategist who lived during a period of relative peace and isolation under the Tokugawa shogunate. Despite—or perhaps because of—Japan's isolationist sakoku policy, Hayashi was deeply concerned with the country's vulnerability to foreign threats, particularly after witnessing the ease with which the Russian Empire expanded into East Asia. "Kaikoku Heidan" was written as a response to these concerns, advocating for a strong maritime defense to protect Japan's shores. "Kaikoku Heidan" is notable for its forward-thinking analysis and recommendations. Hayashi argued that Japan's geographical isolation would not suffice as a defense against the advanced naval capabilities of Western powers. He proposed the establishment of a robust navy and the fortification of coastal defenses, emphasizing the strategic importance of controlling sea routes and safeguarding Japan's maritime interests. Hayashi's work was groundbreaking in its recognition of the need for Japan to engage with modern military technologies and tactics, a significant departure from the traditional samurai-centric warfare of the time. Hayashi also advocated for the study of Western sciences and military techniques, suggesting that Japan could strengthen itself by incorporating foreign advancements with its own traditions. This idea was radical in an era when foreign influence was often viewed with suspicion, if not outright hostility, by the ruling shogunate. Although initially ignored and even suppressed by the Tokugawa shogunate, who saw Hayashi's ideas as a threat to their power and the social order, "Kaikoku Heidan" gained recognition in the tumultuous years leading up to the Meiji Restoration. Hayashi's vision for a maritime defense strategy and an embrace of Western military technology anticipated the transformative policies of the Meiji period, which saw Japan rapidly modernize its military and become a formidable imperial power. The influence of "Kaikoku Heidan" extended beyond its military proposals. It contributed to a growing discourse on national policy and the need for Japan to adapt to prevent colonization by Western powers. Hayashi's work is often seen as part of the intellectual groundwork for the Meiji Restoration, reflecting a broader recognition among Japanese elites of the need for reform and opening to the world.