Last modified: 2023-06-03 by zachary harden
Keywords: japan | boshin civil war | ezo |
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image from Wikipedia, 24 March 2014
This image is shown on Wikipedia as the flag of Republic of Ezo which is
blue background charged with the combination of yellow chrysanthemum and red
seven pointed star (Polar Star).
However there are several reasons for me to suspect that the image was invented
by someone.
There are no document nor image source.
Enomoto had never declared independence nor used the word of Republic of Ezo. He
repeatedly supplicated Meiji Government for development of Ezo with remnants of
the Tokugawa Regime under Imperial court's control.
His real intention was to welcome family members of Tokugawa to Ezo with Meiji
Government's approval and newly establish Tokugawa Domain there. After the
battle of Hakodate he was appointed as Governor of Ezo
and worked for for Meiji government.
He used Hinomaru as the former Shogunate Forces ensign. There is no reason to
use Imperial crest chrysanthemum which was used by enemy new government Forces.
It proved from the attached picture of Enomoto's main fleet Kaiten-Go during
Battle of Hakodate.
image located by
Nozomi Kariyasu, 24 March 2014
The design idea of seven pointed star (Polar Star) did not come up until 1872
Colonization office was built.
In the first place, the word of Ezo Republic appeared in the book titled Leaders
of Japan written by Charles Lanman in 1883 published by Boston Publishing
Company. The book says after consulting with Alien Consul, the Remnants of the
Tokugawa Regime established their Republic in Hakodate and appointed Takeaki
Enomoto as President and Taro Matsudaira Vice President which seems unbelievable
but in a fact. The description is not faithful to historical facts and Words had
wings to cause for such misinterpretation as Enomoto Regime established an
independent Republic in Hakodate.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 24 March 2014