REKIHAKU

No.104 A Witness to History

The Documents of the Kido Family

Portrait of Takayoshi Kido (March 28, 1873)
Photographed during a trip to Europe and America

Certificate of appointment to the Iwakura Mission touring Europe and America (1872) Invested with full powers by the Meiji Emperor

Takayoshi Kido Statement of Views (Portion, ca. 1873) Memo expressing opposition to an invasion of Korea on the grounds that "priority should be placed on domestic rule."

Letter of Appointment to Takayoshi Kido (1876) in which he is named a Cabinet Advisor	Endorsement of the same Letter of Appointment

The Takayoshi Kido Album

The Kido Family Documents represent a large body of materials formed over three generations starting with the elder Meiji statesman Takayoshi Kido (also known as Koin Kido) (1833-77) and continuing with his adopted heir Kosei and grandchild Koichi (1889-77 [sic], a Cabinet Minister). This collection includes many valuable documents that reveal the tumultuous times of modern Japan. This collection was donated to this museum by Takahiko Kido, son of Koichi Kido, in 1984, 1987, and 1998.
While the content covers a wide range of topics, here we only introduce the many documents that were left by Koin and Koichi as a result of their involvement in state politics. Koin was called one of the "three heroes" of the Meiji Restoration, along with Toshimichi Okubo and Takamori Saigo. He participated in the Iwakura Mission that toured Europe and America (1871-73), and upon his return, opposed the proposalsadvanced by Takamori Saigo, Taisuke Itagaki and others to invade Korea, resulting in their resignation from government. Koichi, for his part, was one of the Showa Emperor's closest advisors, playing a vital role in decisions to start and end the war in the Pacific.
After the war, Koichi became a defendant at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East and was sentenced to life imprisonment, but was paroled in 1955.
Takahiko Kido, who donated these documents, passed away on August 15, 2000. We respectfully pray for the repose of his soul.
(Toshiya Ichinose, Research Department, National Museum of Japanese History)

Portrait of Koichi Kido

"Record of Discussions with Senior Statesmen concerning the State of Affairs in February 1945"	Record of the Emperor's inquiries with various ministers concerning the execution of war policy Fumimaro Konoe (a former Prime Minister) replies that the end of the war has already become inevitable.

"Written Deposition and Testimony of Koichi Kido at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East"	The section where Kido recommends Hideki Tojo to become Prime Minister.

Koichi Kido's Diary (December 8, 1941) Engaged in negotiations between Japan and the United States as a close advisor to the Emperor.