The Mito Ideology

The Mito Ideology: Discourse, Reform, and Insurrection in Late Tokugawa Japan, 1790–1864 provides a deep dive into the pivotal role played by the Mito branch of the Tokugawa family in shaping ideological activism and reformist discourse during the late Edo period. This groundbreaking study explores how Mito scholars and leaders combined historical reflection with political action to address both internal and external threats to Japan's stability. From the formulation of reformist slogans like "Revere the emperor and expel the barbarian" (sonnō jōi) to the violent activism culminating in the assassination of Ii Naosuke and the Tengu Rebellion, the book examines the ways in which Mito ideologues influenced Japan's trajectory toward modernization and the eventual collapse of the Tokugawa shogunate.

The narrative contextualizes Mito's intellectual and political contributions within broader ideological trends of the time, including the interplay of neo-Confucianism, Shinto, and nativist thought. Drawing on theoretical frameworks from thinkers such as Paul Ricoeur and Michel Foucault, the author investigates how Mito discourse operated not only as a form of scholarly inquiry but as a practical tool for mobilizing social and political change. The book also highlights the paradox of Mito's ideological legacy: while its reformist zeal contributed significantly to the erosion of the Tokugawa order, its internal conflicts and premature insurrections sidelined its radicals from the ultimate Meiji Restoration. This meticulous study sheds light on the dynamic interaction between ideology, action, and historical transformation in a period of profound upheaval in Japan.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1987.