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Shôin was born the son of a low-ranking retainer of [[Choshu han|Chôshû domain]]. He was widely well-read, having studied books of military science, Confucianism, and ''bushidô'' in the tradition of [[Yamaga Soko|Yamaga Sokô]] before journeying to Tôhoku, unauthorized, where he studied briefly under ''[[Rangaku]]'' (Dutch Studies) scholar [[Sakuma Shozan|Sakuma Shôzan]].  

Shôin was born the son of a low-ranking retainer of [[Choshu han|Chôshû domain]]. He was widely well-read, having studied books of military science, Confucianism, and ''bushidô'' in the tradition of [[Yamaga Soko|Yamaga Sokô]] before journeying to Tôhoku, unauthorized, where he studied briefly under ''[[Rangaku]]'' (Dutch Studies) scholar [[Sakuma Shozan|Sakuma Shôzan]].  

He was stripped of his samurai status as a result of this unauthorized journey. Later, having decided Japan needed to prepare to defend itself against the Western powers, on [[1854]]/3/27 he and fellow former Chôshû retainer [[Kaneko Jusuke|Kaneko Jûsuke]] asked [[Commodore Perry|Commodore Matthew Perry]] to take them overseas with them, in order to learn more about the West and Western military capabilities. They were rejected by Perry, however, and after turning themselves in were placed under house arrest in Chôshû.<ref>Ishin Shiryô Kôyô 維新史料綱要, vol 1 (1937), 576.</ref> Following his release, Yoshida began attracting disciples, including [[Kido Koin|Kido Kôin]], [[Yamagata Aritomo]], and [[Ito Hirobumi|Itô Hirobumi]].

He was stripped of his samurai status as a result of this unauthorized journey. Later, having decided Japan needed to prepare to defend itself against the Western powers, on [[1854]]/3/27 he and fellow former Chôshû retainer [[Kaneko Jusuke|Kaneko Jûsuke]] asked [[Commodore Perry|Commodore Matthew Perry]] to take them overseas with them, in order to learn more about the West and Western military capabilities. They were rejected by Perry, however, and after turning themselves in were placed under house arrest in Chôshû,<ref>Ishin Shiryô Kôyô 維新史料綱要, vol 1 (1937), 576.</ref> and then in prison at [[Tenmacho prison|Tenmachô]] in Edo.<ref>Ishin Shiryô Kôyô 維新史料綱要, vol 1 (1937), 587.</ref> Following his release, Yoshida began attracting disciples, including [[Kido Koin|Kido Kôin]], [[Yamagata Aritomo]], and [[Ito Hirobumi|Itô Hirobumi]].

Like many of the time, he accused the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] of thorough weakness and incompetence in its failure to repel and expel the "barbarians." Though at first Shôin advocated for simply replacing shogunate officials with other, more competent, officials, he later turned to advocating the overthrow of the shogunate itself. In [[1858]], the shogunate sent a representative to [[Kyoto]], to request Imperial authorization to agree to the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the US and Japan (also known as the [[Harris Treaty]]). Shôin plotted to assassinate this shogunal representative, but his plot was discovered, and Shôin was captured and executed the following year.

Like many of the time, he accused the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] of thorough weakness and incompetence in its failure to repel and expel the "barbarians." Though at first Shôin advocated for simply replacing shogunate officials with other, more competent, officials, he later turned to advocating the overthrow of the shogunate itself. In [[1858]], the shogunate sent a representative to [[Kyoto]], to request Imperial authorization to agree to the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the US and Japan (also known as the [[Harris Treaty]]). Shôin plotted to assassinate this shogunal representative, but his plot was discovered, and Shôin was captured and executed the following year.