Protest activity, prompted by prolonged inequality, arises from the frustrations of men who feel socio-economically disadvantaged and are displeased with the government’s approach towards society’s issues. The Tokugawa and Meiji periods encountered several instances of uprising amongst the peasantry—most notably those led by Oshio Heihachiro, Tanaka Shozo, and Sakura Sogoro. The story of Sakura Sogoro—a protest in which an archetypal heroic peasant martyr appealed directly to the elites in response to harsh taxes—acted as counter-mythistory as peasants used it as a tactic to control the ruling class; Oshio Heihachiro and Tanaka Shozo’s protests had similar underlying philosophies and method of appeal, but used different language and responded
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Oshio Heihachiro conducted his protests by collaborating with talented men who would agree with his philosophy. He advised that “[i]f moreover there are men with the equipment and abilities, they should all join together to form a military force to punish crooked men." (Oshio 185) By enlisting the help of knowledgeable men without regard of their status, Oshio followed the principles of Neo-Confucianism—a philosophy that said intellectuals should be the rulers. His protests attacked merchants and chonin and was more aggressive than Sogoro’s. "We will attack and kill them [chonin], taking the wealth that they have hidden away in holes and storerooms.” (Oshio 185) Adopting a more forceful method of protest, Oshio believed his revolt would sustain itself until justice was dealt. Language used in his arguments followed a religious appeal as he looked to the gods as superior figures. Oshio refutes the authority of the government who has "lived in corruption and took bribes" by reminding the public that "the sacred founder of our regime [Ieyasu] embraced the extension of compassion to the discarded people as the basis of benevolent government." (Call to Arms, 183) Attacking the corruption that pervaded the Tokugawa state, Oshio was convinced he was championing the will of the heavens. Tanaka Shozo, another major protest leader, led revolts and differed from Sogoro and …show more content…
Tanaka Shozo’s argument fundamentally followed the idea of nature’s poison and flow. He based his philosophy “on 'the real powers of the land and water’ . . . eventually developing a monistic philosophy of poison (doku) and flow (nagare) that took free-flowing water as the model of health and freedom." (Tanaka Bad Water, 86) By presenting the idea that Japan would have to respect nature’s flow to avoid accumulating poison, Tanaka’s protest followed more disruptive and subversive techniques rather than being a direct attack. The circumstances surrounding the protests are significant to understanding the changes that took place during the Tokugawa and Meiji
Oshio Heihachiro conducted his protests by collaborating with talented men who would agree with his philosophy. He advised that “[i]f moreover there are men with the equipment and abilities, they should all join together to form a military force to punish crooked men." (Oshio 185) By enlisting the help of knowledgeable men without regard of their status, Oshio followed the principles of Neo-Confucianism—a philosophy that said intellectuals should be the rulers. His protests attacked merchants and chonin and was more aggressive than Sogoro’s. "We will attack and kill them [chonin], taking the wealth that they have hidden away in holes and storerooms.” (Oshio 185) Adopting a more forceful method of protest, Oshio believed his revolt would sustain itself until justice was dealt. Language used in his arguments followed a religious appeal as he looked to the gods as superior figures. Oshio refutes the authority of the government who has "lived in corruption and took bribes" by reminding the public that "the sacred founder of our regime [Ieyasu] embraced the extension of compassion to the discarded people as the basis of benevolent government." (Call to Arms, 183) Attacking the corruption that pervaded the Tokugawa state, Oshio was convinced he was championing the will of the heavens. Tanaka Shozo, another major protest leader, led revolts and differed from Sogoro and …show more content…
Tanaka Shozo’s argument fundamentally followed the idea of nature’s poison and flow. He based his philosophy “on 'the real powers of the land and water’ . . . eventually developing a monistic philosophy of poison (doku) and flow (nagare) that took free-flowing water as the model of health and freedom." (Tanaka Bad Water, 86) By presenting the idea that Japan would have to respect nature’s flow to avoid accumulating poison, Tanaka’s protest followed more disruptive and subversive techniques rather than being a direct attack. The circumstances surrounding the protests are significant to understanding the changes that took place during the Tokugawa and Meiji