Changes

As a result of his loyalty to the Shimazu and opposition to the actions of [[Saigo Takamori|Saigô Takamori]], [[Okubo Toshimichi|Ôkubo Toshimichi]] and others who openly battled the shogunate, Narahara was not in good standing with the Satsuma faction around the time of the [[Boshin War]] and [[Meiji Restoration]].<ref name=kotobank/>

As a result of his loyalty to the Shimazu and opposition to the actions of [[Saigo Takamori|Saigô Takamori]], [[Okubo Toshimichi|Ôkubo Toshimichi]] and others who openly battled the shogunate, Narahara was not in good standing with the Satsuma faction around the time of the [[Boshin War]] and [[Meiji Restoration]].<ref name=kotobank/>

As early as four years later, however, in January 1872, he headed a mission to [[Shuri]], the royal capital of the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]], accompanied by another prominent Satsuma retainer, [[Ijichi Sadaka]], as representatives of the Imperial government. The pair met with the ''[[Sanshikan]]'' (the top royal advisors) to discuss debts owed by the kingdom to Satsuma, [[tribute]] obligations and other such matters. They eventually agreed to dispense with the obligations provided that Shuri spend the funds that would have gone to Satsuma on, instead, providing relief to impoverished Ryukyuan gentry. Such a move improved the reputation of Satsuma and Tokyo in the eyes of Ryûkyû, being seen as a goodwill gesture, and, it was hoped, would help garner support for pro-Japanese policies within the kingdom.<ref>Kerr. p361.</ref> Other matters discussed at this time included coal mining in the [[Yaeyama Islands]] and the proposal to fully annex the [[Amami Islands]] into [[Kagoshima prefecture]].<ref>Kerr. p362.<p>Though the Amami Islands had been directly governed by Satsuma, and not by Ryûkyû, for over 250 years at this time, some residual sovereignty was considered to lie with the kingdom; Narahara, on behalf of Tokyo, was proposing that the kingdom relinquish all claims of sovereignty over those islands.</ref> The Imperial envoys also suggested that King [[Sho Tai|Shô Tai]] pay his respects to the [[Emperor Meiji|Meiji Emperor]], a gesture which would reflect official submission to Imperial authority, and one which the king would avoid for many years.<ref>Kerr. p363.</ref>

As early as four years later, however, in January 1872, he headed a mission to [[Shuri]], the royal capital of the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]], accompanied by another prominent Satsuma retainer, [[Ijichi Sadaka]], as representatives of the Imperial government. The pair met with the ''[[Sanshikan]]'' (the top royal advisors) to discuss debts owed by the kingdom to Satsuma, [[tribute]] obligations and other such matters. They eventually agreed to dispense with the obligations provided that Shuri spend the funds that would have gone to Satsuma on, instead, providing relief to impoverished Ryukyuan gentry. Such a move improved the reputation of Satsuma and Tokyo in the eyes of Ryûkyû, being seen as a goodwill gesture, and, it was hoped, would help garner support for pro-Japanese policies within the kingdom.<ref>Kerr. p361.</ref> Other matters discussed at this time included coal mining in the [[Yaeyama Islands]] and the proposal to fully annex the [[Amami Islands]] into [[Kagoshima prefecture]].<ref>Kerr. p362. Though the Amami Islands had been directly governed by Satsuma, and not by Ryûkyû, for over 250 years at this time, some residual sovereignty was considered to lie with the kingdom; Narahara, on behalf of Tokyo, was proposing that the kingdom relinquish all claims of sovereignty over those islands.</ref> The Imperial envoys also suggested that King [[Sho Tai|Shô Tai]] pay his respects to the [[Emperor Meiji|Meiji Emperor]], a gesture which would reflect official submission to Imperial authority, and one which the king would avoid for many years.<ref>Kerr. p363.</ref>

Beginning in 1878, Narahara served short terms in a number of prominent positions in the [[Meiji government]], including chief secretary in the [[Home Ministry]], chief secretary in the [[Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce]], governor of [[Shizuoka prefecture]], and chief secretary in the [[Ministry of Works]]. He was also the first president of [[Nippon Railway]], and, for a time, a member of the House of Peers, and an imperial advisor.<ref name=kotobank/>

Beginning in 1878, Narahara served short terms in a number of prominent positions in the [[Meiji government]], including chief secretary in the [[Home Ministry]], chief secretary in the [[Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce]], governor of [[Shizuoka prefecture]], and chief secretary in the [[Ministry of Works]]. He was also the first president of [[Nippon Railway]], and, for a time, a member of the House of Peers, and an imperial advisor.<ref name=kotobank/>