The Epic Clash: British Redcoats vs Japanese Samurai

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Opening of Japan
3. The Rise of the Samurai
4. The Political Turmoil in Japan
5. The Attacks on Foreign Legations
6. The Bombardment of Satsuma
7. The Battle of Shimonoseki
8. The Role of the British Navy and Marines
9. The Execution of Shimu Sei
10. The Bosin or Ban War
11. The Superiority of British Pistols
12. Conclusion

The Clash of the Red Coat and the Samurai

In the history of the British Empire, the red-coated soldiers have become renowned across the world. They fought against numerous opponents, from the American colonists to the Zulus and even the Russian cossacks. But there is one opponent that gave Old Tommy Atkins a run for his money - the Japanese Samurai. Surprisingly, these two iconic warriors actually faced each other on the battlefield during the height of the Victorian age. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating story of the clash between the bayonet and the katana, and discover who emerged victorious.

1. Introduction

Japan had always been an enigma to the Western powers. Closed off from the rest of the world for hundreds of years, it was a place of mystery. However, by the middle of the 19th century, the pressure from European warships and the example set by the Opium Wars in China forced Japan to open its ports to trade. In 1858, Britain negotiated the first Anglo-Japanese commercial treaty, paving the way for foreign merchants to do business with Japan.

2. The Opening of Japan

The opening of Japan marked a turning point in its history. For centuries, the country had been closed off to foreign influence under the governance of a dynasty of Shoguns. These Shoguns, from the Tokugawa house, held the title of the "generalissimo" of the emperor. This period, known as the late Edo period, witnessed the flourishing of a distinct Japanese culture, including the emergence of the samurai warriors as the bodyguards of the Japanese nobility.

3. The Rise of the Samurai

At first, the samurai warriors were merely curiosities to the Europeans and Americans. However, as foreign intervention increased, Japan began to experience its own political turmoil. The foreigners were seen as part of the problem, leading to growing animosity towards them. In 1860, a series of samurai attacks were recorded against the legations of several nations, culminating with the assault on the British legation at the Temple of Toeni in July 1861. Though the attack was unsuccessful, it left several staff members wounded.

4. The Political Turmoil in Japan

The ongoing political turmoil in Japan prevented the government from punishing the attackers. This led to further acts of violence, including the assassination attempt on Acting Consul Lieutenant Colonel St. John Neil in 1862. British soldiers were now facing Japanese opponents in combat. Lessons were learned from these encounters, and British staff members always carried pistols for self-defense.

5. The Attacks on Foreign Legations

In September 1862, a number of travelers were set upon on the road near Yokohama. Charles Lennox Richardson, one of the travelers, was killed, while his companions were badly wounded. The incident almost sparked a war, but it was narrowly averted when the shogun's government agreed to pay an indemnity. Blame was shifted onto the assailant, who came from a region known as Satsuma.

6. The Bombardment of Satsuma

Despite not wanting a war with Japan, British merchants were eager for the opportunity it presented. Estimates suggested that a war in Japan would require a significant military force and a substantial financial investment. By the end of 1864, a sizable British force was deployed in Japan for security reasons. This force consisted of companies from various regiments, including the 20th and 99th Regiments of Foot, the Royal Marine Light Infantry, the Royal Artillery, and the Beluchi Regiment of the Indian Army.

7. The Battle of Shimonoseki

In September 1864, an international fleet gathered at Yokohama and sailed to the Straits of Shimonoseki, which had been closed to foreign shipping by the Daimyo of Choshu. A joint force from Britain, France, Holland, and the United States was sent to demand the opening of the straits or to destroy the forts and cannons. After negotiations failed, the fleet bombarded the Japanese shore batteries.

8. The Role of the British Navy and Marines

During the battle, Admiral Cooper led the British fleet and attempted to blockade the fort. The Japanese gunners managed to damage the British flagship, but the British broadsides eventually silenced the shore batteries and set most of the town on fire. A naval brigade and the Royal Marine Battalion, along with the French and Dutch seamen and Marines, were landed to destroy the Japanese fortifications.

9. The Execution of Shimu Sei

Despite the bombardment of Satsuma and the Battle of Shimonoseki, there were still individuals within Japan who remained defiant. One such individual was Shimu Sei, a masterless samurai who sought to challenge the foreigners by killing Europeans. In November 1864, Shimu Sei attacked and killed two officers of the British 20th Regiment near Kamakura. He was later captured and executed, showcasing the Japanese government's commitment to maintaining peace.

10. The Bosin or Ban War

As the power struggle between the Shogun's faction and the emperor loyalists intensified, a civil war known as the Bosin or Ban War broke out. This war largely bypassed the foreigners, with only a skirmish occurring in Cobay, where a company of the 9th Regiment of Foot and a force of US Marines drove off Japanese troops who had opened fire on European diplomats. This event further reduced the potential for conflict between the samurai and the Red Coats.

11. The Superiority of British Pistols

In March 1868, a British delegation was attacked as they returned to Ido to meet with the emperor. Consul Harry Parks and his escort from the 9th Regiment of Foot were ambushed by two samurai swordsmen. Although one of the attackers was stopped by a Japanese official, the other managed to wound Parks and his horse. The wounded samurai relentlessly attacked the Red Coats until Lieutenant Alan Burton Mitford stepped in and disarmed him, ultimately leading to his capture.

12. Conclusion

The clash between the British Red Coats and the Japanese samurai was an exciting and exotic time in history. While the fighting never escalated into a full-scale war, it showcased the mutual respect between the two warrior classes. Despite the cultural differences, both sides displayed remarkable bravery and skill on the battlefield. The clashes between the red coat and the samurai left a lasting legacy, symbolizing the strength and rich history of both warrior cultures.