OI Kentaro

Date of Birth and Death
September 3, 1843 - Octover 15, 1922
Birthplace (modern name)
Oita
Occupation, Status
Politician
Pen name etc.
TAKANAMI Hikoroku, Daisuke, Bajoudaijirou

Description

Statesman and social activist. Born in Oita. After studying chemistry and Dutch studies in Nagasaki, he became a pupil of Rinsho Mitsukuri and studied French studies at the Daigaku Nanko (later the University of Tokyo). He translated many French law books. In 1874, Oi won attention by asserting a most radical "Immediate Opening theory" in a debate on popularly elected parliament. In 1875, he became a sho-shokikan (lower-ranked secretary) of the Chamber of Elders but was dismissed in the following year. In 1882 he became a regular councilor of the Liberal Party, and then led the radical wing of the party as a theorist of the Freedom and People's Rights Movement. In 1885, he was imprisoned for the Osaka Incident, but in 1889, he was released from prison on a general pardon under an amnesty. In 1892 he formed the Toyo Jiyu-to (Oriental Liberal Party) and advocated a strong foreign policy while also making efforts to dissolve domestic labor and tenant farmers issues.

Publications

National Diet Library's collections

SNS

OI Kentaro

  • Portrait of OI Kentaro1
  • Portrait of OI Kentaro2
  • Portrait of OI Kentaro3

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