Surely one can not be prone to see both sides of an even argument, so why are we not allowed to compromise in the name of Japan? Someday a mighty wind may come and Japan will have a choice to survive and carry on some of its culture, or to refuse to yield and die with its traditions- but are we forced to choose only a single option? No, such thoughts are only those that come from years of complacency within the walls of Edo. We have learned to think within those high walls, so occasionally looking out into the broader Japanese world, but let us look out at the lands of Nagasaki, at Satsuma- what do we see? We can see those positive and negative influences of the West. Great technology at the cost of public morality and Bushido. Then we turn to see Kansai, the bastion of Japanese culture, so untouched by the hands of the West. What do we find? We see our upheld traditions, but without the wealth and technology of the Eastern Cities.
Who is to say that we can not retain such a distinction? To make such a distinction more plain is not outside of the realm of our fathers, sons, or any daimyo. Clearly we can attempt to shift away thought from the core of Edo to the lands that comprise the rest of Japan. If Satsuma will give itself up to red-cheeks in exchange for technology, they have paid their price, let them come. If the lords of Kansai refuse to give themselves unto the red-cheeks so as to retain their dignity and honor, they have paid their price, let them stay away.
SATAKE YOSHIHIRO
10th Lord of Kubota