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| clan Hussa are a member of the Shimazu family, our home is on the west isle of Japan - Kyushu, in the province of Satsuma. Our swordsmen are amongst the greatest in all Japan, and we are prepared to take advantage of new ideas - even if they come from overseas | |
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The Shimazu family was founded in the late 12th century by Shimazu Tadahisa (1179-1227). For 700 years of the Shimazu regime in Kagoshima, from the end of Kamakura period (1185-1333) to the end of Yedo period (1603-1868), it produced competent feudal lords, generation after generation. They kept a good reputation that said, "There are no stupid lords in Shimazu". The Shimazus were not merely warriors but men of culture, art, and foresight. Exceptionally capable among them was the 28th lord, Nariakira, who introduced manufacturing to Japan and was a guiding force in the opening of the country to the West. Under his rule, ironworks, photography, telegraphy, and mechanization were introduced. The Iso Teien gardens, beautiful in their simplicity, were home to Mitsuhisa Shimazu, while next door, one of the very first factories in Japan began operations. The Shimazu family was finally defeated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-98) in 1587 in his efforts to reunify Japan. Hideyoshi allowed them to keep the southern part of their domain, and thereafter they became one of his staunchest allies. In 1600, however, the Shimazu clan joined the other great lords of western Japan in a futile effort to avoid the hegemony of Hideyoshi's successor, Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616). After the fighting ended, the Shimazu made peace with Ieyasu and were permitted to keep their relatively inaccessible domain. |
In 1609 the Shimazu conquered the Ryukyu Islands and forced that territory to pay tribute to Satsuma. Since the Ryukyu islanders continued their traditional tributary trade with China, Satsuma had indirect access to Chinese luxury products. Although over the next 20 years the Tokugawa gradually imposed restrictions that closed Japan to almost all trade and intercourse with foreign countries, the Shimazu were able to continue their trade with the Ryukyu Islands. The Shimazu also continued aloof from the Tokugawa and nourished a hatred for the Tokugawa house among their warriors. After Satsuma led the movement that overthrew the Tokugawa in 1867, the fief of Satsuma was dissolved and made into the Kagoshima prefecture of the new central government, which gave the head of the Shimazu clan the hereditary rank of prince. |
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