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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.

Masahiro served as ''[[soshaban|sôshaban]]'' from [[1838]] to [[1843]]. From [[1841]] to 1843, he served concurrently as ''[[jisha bugyo|jisha bugyô]]''.<ref>''[[Ryuei bunin|Ryûei bunin]]'' 柳営補任, vol. 1, 87.</ref>

The fifth son of [[Abe Masakiyo]], he became lord of Fukuyama in [[1836]], after his elder brother [[Abe Masayasu]] retired on account of illness.<ref>"[https://access21-co.xsrv.jp/shigekikou/archives/21933 東京都台東区　谷中霊園/福山藩阿部家墓所]," 試撃行、blog post, 12 April 2023.</ref> Masahiro served as ''[[soshaban|sôshaban]]'' from [[1838]] to [[1843]]. From [[1841]] to 1843, he served concurrently as ''[[jisha bugyo|jisha bugyô]]''.<ref>''[[Ryuei bunin|Ryûei bunin]]'' 柳営補任, vol. 1, 87.</ref>

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.

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]], taking the place of [[Mizuno Tadakuni]]. 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>