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　Eiichi Shibusawa (1840 (1840) - 1931), known as the father of Japanese capitalism, participated as an attendant of Akitake Tokugawa, the younger brother who became the name of Yoshinobu Tokugawa at the 2nd Paris Expo in 1867. After that, they visited the European social system. He returned to Japan just after the Meiji Restoration. After the Meiji Restoration, Shibusawa was active in the business industry, and Akitake became the last feudal lord of the Mito clan after the collapse of the Shogunate.

　Akitake, who participated in the Paris Expo, later retired in Matsudo. I visited Tojo's residence in the mansion of the Mito Tokugawa family, a nationally designated important cultural property where Akitake spent his later years. [Photo] The statue of Eiichi Shibusawa at Tokiwa Bridge Park and the Shibusawa House designed by Josaiah Condor.

　Akitake Tokugawa is the 18th son of feudal lord Nariaki Tokugawa, the 9th generation of the Mito clan. In 1866 (1866), he succeeded the Shimizu family. The following year, he went to the Paris World Exposition as the name of Yoshinobu Tokugawa. He continued to study abroad in France, but suddenly returned to Japan for the Meiji Restoration and became the last 11th Mito feudal lord.

　1876 (1877) returned to the United States and studied abroad in France, returned to Japan in 1881 (1882). In 1883 (1884), he handed over his family to his adopted child and retired to Matsudo. Since then, he has served Emperor Meiji for many years. (Document: Photos from the National Diet Library "Portrait of Modern Japanese")

 　In 1866 (Keio 2), a letter was sent to the Shogunate from the French emperor Napoleon III to request the Expo to be held in Paris in 1867 and the invitation of the prime minister. The Shogunate decided to dispatch Akitake Tokugawa, the younger brother of Shogun Yoshinobu, as a masterpiece. Akitake was 14 years old, and seven Mito clan members were elected as guards.

　Eiichi Shibusawa, who was once a radical extremist, was added to the attendants (= in charge of the Imperial Army Army (accounting officer and secretary)) as a coordinator for those who are strong but stubborn foreigners. It is. He was bright in arithmetic, rich in morals, and was expected to have a competent businessman.

　Shibusawa demonstrated his skills in general affairs and accounting. While fulfilling the mission of the Expo, during his stay in Paris for about a year and a half, he conducted research on economic theory, the actual state of stock organizations, and the structure of financial banks. This has led to the revision of the modern corporate system. (Document: Extracted from the National Diet Library "Exposition-Modern Technology Exhibition Hall". The same applies to the entire view of the venue.)

　This exhibition was the first time that Japan participated. From Japan, not only the Shogunate, but also the Satsuma domain and the Saga clan participated independently. Satsuma domain, led by Tomoatsu Godai and others, attracted attention for exhibiting against the Shogunate. There was Tsunemin Sano in the mission of the Saga clan.

　"Todate House" is about a 10-minute walk from Matsudo Station. The only building where the residence of the Tokugawa family in the Meiji period remains almost completely. It has historical value that conveys the living space of the former daimyo family, and has become a nationally designated important cultural property.

　Akitake started building a house in 1882 (1882). The following year, in 1883, he took over his family and retired, and in April 1884, "Todate House" was completed. It is said that the decoration has been abolished and the use of high-grade cedar building materials to convey the spirit of the Mito Tokugawa family of Takemigo Ken. The mansion with many rooms overlaps reflects the lifestyle of the former Daimyo family. Currently, nine buildings are connected by corridors, and there are 23 rooms. This mansion was visited by Yoshinobu Tokugawa and Emperor Taisho during the Higashimiya period.

　The front yard where Todate House is built is the former Akitake Tokugawa Garden (Todate House Garden), a nationally designated scenic spot, with undulating lawns and trees planted around it. It is said that the scenery overlooking the Edogawa River below and Mount Fuji represents the characteristics of the garden during the Meiji period.

　Adjacent to the Matsudo City Todate History Museum (lower right photo) is located. The artifacts of Akitake Tokugawa, items from the Yoshinobu family, and materials from the Paris Expo are on display. The area around these buildings is Todaigaoka Historical Park, and about one-third of the site that once exceeded 70,000 m2 is now a park. At the History Museum, an exhibition "Sakakawa / Edogawa Water Landscape-Hundred Years ago Photographed by Keiki Akitake brothers-" was being held. (Document: from Matsudo City HP) (@ AM)

　Facilities guide Matsudo City Todate History Museum HP　>>Here