Yoshitake Shima

Yoshitake Shima

 

 Do you know Yoshitake Shima?  It has been about one hundred fifty years since he died. Also he is also known as the father of developed of Hokkaido. Why is he called this? So let’s learn about him!

 In 1822, he was born in Hizen which is called Saga in the Kyusyu area now. And his father was a samurai. At that time, there were Samurais in Japan because the period was the end of Edo era. In 1856~1857, he went to Karahuto area which is Russia’s territory now but it was not at that time. He was ordered to go by Naomasa Nabeshima. He was the Hansyu in Hizen. (Hansyu means local governor )

 In 1867, he was the soldier for the new Meiji government. So he fought against the old Edo government. In 1868, he went to the Tohoku area because he fought against people who were allied to the Edo government. As a side note, these battles were known as the Boshin War.

 In 1869, the Ezo area was renamed Hokkaido. He was the Meiji government official who was in charge developing of Hokkaido. So he went to Hokkaido to help it develop and prosper. 

 The Meiji government decided to develop the Sapporo area because they wanted to create a big city. So he developed of Sapporo. But it was hard for him to develop of Sappporo because the weather was bad. The development of Sapporo started in the winter season. So it was very cold and snowy. Also he didn’t get enough food because the ships which were supposed to deliver it sunk . But he got much cooperation from the Ainu people. Finally, he finished this work.

 In 1870，he went back to Saga. And gradually he became dissatisfied of Meiji government. So he took part in the battle of Saga. This battle was a rebellion against Meiji government led by Shinpei Eto. But they were defeated in this battle and were captured and executed by the Meiji government .