Objectives of Oshio’s Revolt

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Objectives of Oshio’s Revolt

        Oshio Heihachiro served the Osaka judiciary as a detective for the hereditary court, originally referred to as a yoriki (Najita 306). In addition to this, he also worked as a court examiner. He later on quit and concentrated more on his writing and studies. However, it was not until the year 1837 that Oshio gained public acclaim for his participation in revolting against the happenings of the Tenpo Crisis. Basically, Oshio’s main objectives were to force the government to lower the heavy taxes it imposed on small farmers after the 1836 failed harvest as well as protest against the high rice prices.  

        In a bid to fulfill what he believed was his moral duty, Oshio rallied support from villagers within the Osaka region on 17th February 1837 and kicked off a major rebellion that would ultimately lead to his death (Mitchell 8). According to Mitchell, the revolt’s primary cause was the agricultural crisis caused by the 1836 and 1833 poor harvest (9). As a result, the government imposed very high tax rates on peasants and set exorbitant rice prices. Oshio saw this as an act of social injustice which in turn acted as his motivation for the rebellion. His main strategy for the rebellion was popularly known as ushi kowashi which basically implies breaking and burning down houses. Moreover, he encouraged the lower samurais to attack the rich, steal all their stored rice grains, and redistribute it among the suffering villagers (Najita 186).

        In summary, Oshio’s rebellion was primarily instigated by the injustices forced upon the poor by the Osaka government at the time. Due to the failed harvest, rice prices and taxes went up. This, alongside the concurrent opium wars, led to the Tenpo Crisis. As such, Oshio’s objectives were to force the government to lower taxes and establish better living standards for the peasants.

Works Cited

Mitchell, Richard H. Justice in Japan: The Notorious Teijin Scandal. Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press, 2002.

Najita, Tetsuo. Readings in Tokaguwa Thought (Third Edition). Chicago: The Center for East Asian Studies, 1998.