At the age of 32, Naosuke Ii left Umoregi-no-ya and began working in Edo. At the time, things were quite tumultuous in Edo.

When Naosuke became lord of the domain at age 35, Commodore Matthew Perry’s “Black Ships” arrived in Uraga. Japan was pressured to open up to foreigners, which split the nation between those who wanted to remain exclusionists and those who wanted to open the country.

Naosuke argued, “We should stop being isolated and trade with the world. Peaceful diplomatic relations with other countries is the way of the world.” Naosuke was even the person to suggest Yokohama be where they opened the ports.

At age 43, Naosuke was appointed tairō, and he signed the Harris Treaty. Naosuke foresaw that if Japan were to enter into war with the United States, they were guaranteed to lose and become a colony of the US, which would force his descendants to live a life of struggle. This sort of thinking is exactly the spirit of hoken that he cultivated while at Umoregi-no-ya.

There was just one problem with the treaty: it didn’t have the emperor’s approval. Naosuke himself wanted to sign the treaty only after the emperor had approved of it, but Japan was torn to the point that it was on the verge of conflict. At any moment, canons could be launched, igniting the flames of war.

Unable to wait for the emperor’s approval, Naosuke decided to proceed with signing the treaty. The exclusionists retaliated against his decision, which led to Naosuke purging the government of those who opposed their plans.

Following the Meiji Restoration, this event would come to be known as the Ansei Purge. This event also led Naosuke to be targeted as a symbol of oppression, putting his life in danger. Naosuke’s subordinates recommended that he increase his security, but Naosuke believed that for a tairō to strengthen his security over mere rumors was a display of cowardice, so he rejected that advice.

On March 3rd, 1860, a letter was tossed into the Hikone Lord’s residence stating an intent to attack Naosuke. Naosuke skimmed through the letter, and just as his attackers expected, he left his residence and headed to Edo Castle. While traveling through falling snow, Naosuke was ambushed by rōnin from Mito Domain in front of Sakuradamon gate. The assassins were successful, and Naosuke died with indignation at the age of 46.

Naosuke was a master of iaijutsu, but he was initially shot in the knee by one of the ronin, which left him unable to move and stuck in a palanquin. In the end, Arimura Jizaemon, a rōnin from Satsuma Domain, dragged Naosuke out of his palanquin and slashed his throat.

What thoughts ran through Naosuke Ii’s head as he sat in his palanquin, faced with his impending death?

The day before his death, Naosuke had penned the following poem:
“The flowers blossoming in a mighty heart become fragrant once they wither.”

Perhaps Naosuke had sensed that his death was near. This poem gives the impression that Naosuke wished for his decision to open Japan would lead the country to a stronger, brighter future, even if he was gone.

What would have happened to Japan if Naosuke hadn’t signed the Harris Treaty? Take the time to ponder what the world would have been like.