THE JAPANESE REVOLUTION of 1868, euphemistically called by the Japanese The Meiji Restoration, marked a significant turning point in Japanese history. The revolution was achieved without the intervention of any of the Western powers and Japan did not fall under the dominance of any foreign state.

The Americans had taken the lead in 1853 in forcing the re-opening of Japan but in the 1860s America was torn apart by civil war and the British and French, whose primary interests were in furthering trade, had displaced the Americans as the leading foreign powers interested in the outcome of the revolution.

The British minister and consul general was the thrusting Sir Harry Parkes. His French opposite number was the swashbuckling Leon Roches. Their competitive antics were little more than a minor sideshow in the dramatic events of 1867–8, but they had significant if minor parts to play in Japan's drama.

The tiny British legation in Japan had ‘front seats’ for some of the most important acts in this drama and, when shipping was available, reported on developments in some detail to London. The official despatches were supplemented by private letters, in particular from A.B. Mitford, second secretary in the legation, to his father.

This book draws on these letters to paint a fascinating picture of the events, which brought feudal Japan into the modern world. In so doing it complements and clarifies the detailed narrative of events given by Ernest Satow in his memoir A Diplomat in Japan.

A.B.Mitford (Algernon Bertram Mitford to give him his full aristocratic and rather pompous names) became in due course the first Baron Redesdale, whose granddaughters were the famous Mitford sisters. In 1867, he was an ambitious young diplomat, cultured, well educated and highly intelligent. He embraced the chance of adventure in a country, which at that time was almost completely unknown to his compatriots.

Life in Japan in those days was dangerous and unhealthy and living conditions were primitive. He accepted this as inevitable in the circumstances of the time. As a schoolboy at Eton he had become inured to violence in the rough and tumble of life.