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Abe Masahiro was the 7th [[Abe clan]] lord of [[Fukuyama han|Fukuyama domain]], and ''[[tairo|Tairô]]'', known for his role in ending the [[Tokugawa shogunate|Tokugawa shogunate's]] policy of [[maritime restrictions]] and "opening" Japan to the West in the 1850s.

Abe Masahiro was the 7th [[Abe clan]] lord of [[Fukuyama han|Fukuyama domain]], and ''[[tairo|Tairô]]'', known for his role in ending the [[Tokugawa shogunate|Tokugawa shogunate's]] policy of [[maritime restrictions]] and "opening" Japan to the West in the 1850s.

Abe was first appointed to the ''[[roju|rôjû]]'' at the age of 25.<ref>Plaque on statue of Abe Masahiro, at Fukuyama castle.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/36240812453/sizes/l]</ref> He served as Tairô from [[1845]] until [[1855]]. Initially, as Western encroachment expanded, and visits from Western ships became more frequent, Abe oversaw the strengthening of coastal defenses while simultaneously encouraging a somewhat conciliatory stance. After the so-called "Black Ships" of [[Commodore Perry]] arrived in [[1853]], he took the very controversial step of asking for the opinions or suggestions of the [[Imperial Court]], and of the various ''daimyô'', essentially abdicating the decision-making power (and, the appearance of competency and strength) of the shogunate.

 

He was then appointed to the ''[[roju|rôjû]]'' in 1843, at the age of 25.<ref>Plaque on statue of Abe Masahiro, at Fukuyama castle.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/36240812453/sizes/l]</ref> He served as Tairô from [[1845]] until [[1855]]. Initially, as Western encroachment expanded, and visits from Western ships became more frequent, Abe oversaw the strengthening of coastal defenses while simultaneously encouraging a somewhat conciliatory stance. After the so-called "Black Ships" of [[Commodore Perry]] arrived in [[1853]], he took the very controversial step of asking for the opinions or suggestions of the [[Imperial Court]], and of the various ''daimyô'', essentially abdicating the decision-making power (and, the appearance of competency and strength) of the shogunate.

In 1853, he married Makoto, a daughter of [[Matsudaira Naoharu]] (lord of [[Itoigawa han]]) and adoptive daughter of [[Matsudaira Yoshinaga]] (lord of [[Fukui han]]).<ref>Ishin Shiryô Kôyô 維新史料綱要, vol 1 (1937), 402.</ref>

In 1853, he married Makoto, a daughter of [[Matsudaira Naoharu]] (lord of [[Itoigawa han]]) and adoptive daughter of [[Matsudaira Yoshinaga]] (lord of [[Fukui han]]).<ref>Ishin Shiryô Kôyô 維新史料綱要, vol 1 (1937), 402.</ref>