Mori Takachika (5 March 1819 – 17 May 1871), later Mori Yoshichika was the leader of the Choshu Domain from 1836 to 1869.
Biography[]
Takachika was born in Hagi, the capital of the Choshu Domain. A descendant of the Mori, traditional enemies of the Tokugawa Shogunate and seafaring people, Takachika was a powerful daimyo who was zealous and impetuous, and was loyal to the Emperor. He agreed to join in the "expel the barbarians" Joi movement and fired on foreign ships passing by his lands, resulting in the Bombardment of Shimonoseki by British and French ships in 1864. Takachika also made enemies with the shogunate in 1864, losing against an invasion in September 1864 but defeating the Aizu Domain, Kishu Domain, and the other loyal Shogunate domains in the Second Choshu Expedition.
In 1868, Takachika led the march on Kyoto, joined by Saigo Takamori and Kido Kion in his attack on Tokugawa Yoshinobu. He captured Kyoto and later took part in the attack on the Ezo Republic of Hakodate on the island of Ezo (Hokkaido) winning the war for the Imperial forces in 1869. That year, he gave up his lands to the Emperor, signifying his loyalty.
