Includes bibliographical references (pages 329-340) and index.
1. Introduction -- 2. Western writers and Meiji history -- 3. Ezochi, Korea and the four great western clans -- 4. Tokugawa Japan -- 5. Kurume : Takayama, Maki and Sada -- 6. Maruyama, Dairaku, Kurume's convulsions and Shintō's "Brief history" -- 7. Japanese perceptions of the 1873 Seihen -- 8. The nature of Japanese imperialism -- 9. The power struggle in Hokkaidō -- 10. The rule of law -- 11. The Tosa clan, Godai and the opening of Korea -- 12. Conclusion.